US Midwest heatwave triggers emergencies as dangerous humidity heads East

Detroit,UPDATED: Jul 1, 2026 02:42 IST

Millions of people across the US Midwest and Great Lakes were under dangerous heat and humidity on Tuesday, with no immediate relief in sight before the conditions move to the eastern part of the country. The Weather Service said the heat index, which combines air temperature and humidity, had crossed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) in some places and warned of heat-related illnesses, especially for people without air conditioning.

The next spell of major heat is expected in the Northeast, including New York City and Boston, through the Fourth of July holiday. In Pennsylvania, Norristown, about 20 miles from Philadelphia, cancelled a Saturday parade because of the weather, while Philadelphia declared a heat emergency from Wednesday to Saturday and said 50 cooling centres would run with extended hours.

In Detroit, the Weather Service said air temperatures were in the high 90s and could touch 100 through Thursday. The city said 12 recreation centres had been opened for people to cool off, with some staying open until 11 pm. Large parts of Michigan, along with Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and much of Iowa, were under an extreme heat warning.

People across the affected areas changed their routines to cope with the weather. The Chicago History Museum offered free admission to Illinois residents seeking a cool space on Tuesday, while roads in some parts of the state buckled in the heat as surfaces expanded and cracked. In Detroit, 72-year-old window washer Stephen Mason began work early to avoid the worst of the day, but said by 9.15 am, when the temperature was already 85F (29.4C), "It's the only way to beat it. But it's already starting to cook out here."

Also in Detroit, runner Adam Schubatis, 36, said he had cut his route to 6 miles (9.6 kilometres). "I know where all the drinking fountains are," he said. "My wife thought I was crazy. She offered to pick me up if I got tired or if there was anything I was doing that wasn't safe." In Milwaukee, more than 100 firefighters spent hours tackling a school fire in the extreme heat. Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said crews were rotating and removing their thick coats while rehydrating.

Health officials warned that the warm nights were adding to the danger. Dr Kisha Davis, health officer for Montgomery County, Maryland, said overnight lows in many places were in the 70sF (21-26.7C), which did not allow the body to cool down naturally. "The heat stress will compound day after day," Davis said, adding that alcohol and fizzy drinks, both popular during the holiday period, can cause dehydration.

The heat was also affecting animals. In Jackson, Mississippi, where the afternoon heat index went above 100F (37.7C), large fans were used to cool about 100 dogs at an old mattress warehouse serving as a shelter for Community Animal Rescue and Adoption. "It's miserable. We try to keep everybody hydrated back there. Dogs and people," kennel manager Raquel Burney said.

In Grosse Pointe Park, a Detroit suburb, George Liller, 64, offered a window air-conditioning unit for free on Facebook after installing air conditioning at his home. "It was probably on my porch maybe 15 minutes," Liller said. "That air conditioner was given to me. I thought, Somebody needs it.' I know how it feels to be in an old house when it's this hot." Overall, the intense heat stretched from the Midwest to the Great Lakes and was set to spread east, prompting warnings, emergency measures and small acts of help as people tried to cope.

With PTI Inputs

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