Three New Yorkers died in their homes from heat-related illness over the weekend, at the tail end of a historic heatwave, according to the mayor’s office. The heat wave lasted from Wednesday through Saturday, with temperatures peaking in the triple digits.
In New Jersey, state health officials reported a much higher death toll, estimating on Monday that 29 people across 10 counties had died as a result of the heat wave, ranging in age from their 30s to their 80s.
“Unfortunately, many of these individuals were found in homes without air conditioning,” NJ State Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard Washington said. “A few were outside their residences, some on the street and some even in parked cars.”
New York City officials did not provide any additional information on the New Yorkers who died or comment on whether the official death toll from the heat wave is expected to rise.
“Our hearts are with their families and loved ones,” said Joe Calvello, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office.
Extreme heat kills about 500 New Yorkers each year, according to city data. During last week’s heat wave, the Mamdani administration took steps to prevent heat-related illness and deaths, including opening libraries, senior centers and other locations as cooling centers, extending pool hours and conducting outreach to older adults and homeless New Yorkers, city officials said.
“This heat wave has passed, but the summer is far from over,” Calvello said. “We will remain vigilant and continue to protect New Yorkers from the growing threat of extreme heat and other severe weather.”
Heat-related emergency room visits also spiked as temperatures climbed last week. Between Wednesday and Saturday, there were 379 heat-related emergency room visits across the five boroughs, city data shows.
