While major catastrophic storms like Sandy and Ida will long be remembered for the tragic and rapid loss of life in New Jersey, dangerous heat waves like the one gripping the state this week have been a more silent and consistent killer.
New Jersey has had at least 181 heat stroke deaths between 2000 and 2020, according to state Department of Health statistics. The worst years came in 2002 and 2011, when 21 people died each summer.
While an average of nine people a year die of heat, hospitalizations for heat-related illnesses are far more common with more than 600 patients seeking treatment between 2016 and 2020, according to state Department of Health statistics.
The punishing heat began Monday and is set to continue through the weekend, forecasters say, setting up the possibility of a week-long heatwave.
A heat advisory is in effect for 19 of New Jersey’s 21 counties through Thursday at 8 p.m. Just Sussex and Warren counties have been left off the advisory.
The worst month for heat illnesses is typically July, which averaged 59 hospitalizations over that five-year span. July 2019 was the highest month for hospitalizations, with 81 patients.
The highest temperature recorded in July 2019 was 101 degrees, according to data from the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist. Newark already hit 100 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday could be even worse.
AccuWeather.com is projecting the heat index - which factors in humidity - could range from 110 to 115 degrees on Thursday for much of New Jersey.
There are factors besides just the number on the thermometer that make punishing heat tough on the human body, Greg Pope, a professor of earth and environmental studies at Montclair University, told NJ Advance Media.
The human body primarily cools off when sweat evaporates from skin, Pope said. Higher humidity in the air makes sweating less effective, which can make the heat feel so much worse.
“It literally does feel hotter (when you can’t sweat), that’s why there’s the ‘real feel’ temperature,” Pope said.
That means it’s not a joke when people from the southwest talk about dry heat, he said. People can tolerate hotter temperatures when it’s drier outside because sweating works better.
Some heat-related conditions, like heat rash and sunburn, are typically safe to treat at home, according to the CDC.
Heat cramps and heat exhaustion can be treated at home by moving into a cool place and drinking water, but if symptoms persist or worsen, medical attention might be necessary.
But heat stroke, the most serious of the heat-related conditions, can be deadly. Symptoms include a body temperate of 103 or higher, hot and red skin, nausea, and passing out, the CDC says. In the event of heat stroke, do not give the person anything to drink and call 911 right away, the CDC says.
Extreme heat can also make air quality worse. The Department of Environmental Protection has issued air quality alerts for 11 counties - Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Union, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Camden, Gloucester and northwest Burlington.
It’s not just that breathing hot air is harder. Solar radiation breaks down oxygen into ozone, which humans can’t breathe very well, Pope said. That same solar radiation also interacts with pollutants in the air like nitrous oxide, a byproduct of burning gasoline, making already irritating particles even worse, Pope said.
Air quality will be worse in areas with more car density, like city centers or even just traffic lights that get backed up during rush hour, Pope said.
There are simple steps people can take to stay safe when temperatures are this high.
- Limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, stay in shaded areas as much as possible.
- Seek out air-conditioned areas as much as possible. Check your town for cooling centers, or find public spaces with air conditioning like shopping malls or local libraries.
- Wear light clothing.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Also, avoid very cold drinks because they can cause stomach cramps.
- Don’t leave people or pets in a closed vehicle.
While a fan might feel good, when it’s this hot they won’t prevent heat-related illness, the CDC says. Instead, take a cool shower or head somewhere with air conditioning, like a library, shopping mall or a designated cooling center.
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Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com.
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