US Midwest heat wave brings dangerous humidity, no immediate relief

Dangerous heat and humidity gripped the US Midwest and Great Lakes on Tuesday. With little immediate relief, communities opened cooling spaces and warned of rising health risks.

In Short

• Heat index crossed 100F, raising risks of illness for vulnerable residents
• Detroit opened 12 recreation centres, with some operating until 11 pm
• Chicago History Museum offered free entry as residents sought cooler spaces

Millions of people across the US Midwest and Great Lakes were under intense heat and humidity on Tuesday, with the National Weather Service warning that conditions were dangerous and that there was no immediate relief before the heat shifts to the eastern US.

The heat index, which combines air temperature and humidity, crossed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) in some places. Authorities warned of heat-related illnesses, especially among people without air conditioning, while cities and institutions opened cooling spaces and adjusted plans.

In Detroit, the Weather Service said air temperatures were in the high 90s and could touch 100 at some point through Thursday. The city said 12 recreation centres were open 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.

The Northeast, including New York City and Boston, is expected to face major heat next through the Fourth of July holiday. In Norristown, Pennsylvania, about 32 km from Philadelphia, a Saturday parade was cancelled because of the weather.

In Illinois, the Chicago History Museum offered free admission to state residents looking for a cool place on Tuesday. In a few places in the state, roads buckled in the heat. When the surface has no room to expand, it can rise and crack.

At 9.15 am in Detroit, 72-year-old window washer Stephen Mason was cleaning mayflies off the glass at a convenience store. He had started early to avoid the harshest part of the day, but the temperature was already 85 F (29.4 C). "It's the only way to beat it. But it's already starting to cook out here," Mason said.

Also in Detroit, 36-year-old runner Adam Schubatis was out shirtless in the Indian Village neighbourhood and said he was cutting his route to 9.6 km. "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 bringing a school fire under control in the extreme heat. Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said crews were rotating and taking off their thick coats while they rehydrated.

In Grosse Pointe Park, a Detroit suburb, 64-year-old George Liller offered a window air-conditioning unit for free on Facebook, along with an extension cord and remote control, after adding air conditioning to his own 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."

With temperatures staying dangerously high across several states and the next spell of heat set to move east, officials continued to warn people about the risks and communities looked for ways to help those struggling without cooling.

With PTI Inputs

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