Record-breaking temperatures spread from the Midwest into the eastern United States on Wednesday, placing tens of millions of people under heat warnings ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend, when the country marks its 250th anniversary.
Forecasters warned that “feels-like” temperatures could reach 100 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (38 to 46 degrees Celsius) across much of the region, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses and putting additional strain on power grids amid rising electricity demand.
In Hill City, Kansas, where temperatures have remained exceptionally high, postal worker Sabrina Hooper said the heat had made her job of walking long distances to deliver mail extremely difficult.
Meanwhile, residents in Brownsville, Texas, voiced concerns over soaring electricity costs as prolonged high temperatures drove up air-conditioning use, with some households facing monthly power bills exceeding $300 during peak summer conditions.