US heatwave sweeps central and eastern states, sparks emergency cooling measures

A massive heatwave is moving across the central United States toward the East Coast, bringing temperatures that could break records and affect major events such as World Cup matches and Independence Day celebrations. In Chicago, officials have opened cooling centers and deployed municipal staff to aid vulnerable residents. New York City Mayor Zochran Mamndi warned that the heat may be the most extreme in over a decade and has activated an unprecedented response that includes water‑distribution trucks and temporary fogging stations.

Temperatures are expected to exceed 40 °C in many cities, with heat‑index readings projected to surpass 43 °C in Washington, D.C. While most U.S. buildings have air‑conditioning, officials stress that heatwaves cause more deaths than hurricanes or floods, prompting cities to urge citizens to take precautions.

The intense heat is expected to continue through the weekend, overlapping the Fourth of July holiday and the ongoing World Cup tournament.