New York – Blistering heat settled over the eastern half of the nation Tuesday, sending man and beast in desperate search of relief.
The same heat wave that was blamed for as many as 164 deaths in California brought a fifth straight day of oppressive weather to Chicago and promised at least three days of heat in the New York metropolitan area.
Residents on Chicago’s South Side were evacuated from buildings by the hundreds, one day after the power went out to 20,000 customers. Illinois officials blamed three deaths on the heat. The heat also scorched Con yers, Ga., where a high school football player died one day after collapsing at practice.
“I am pretty much dying,” said Grace Hartmann, a New York University student. “I’m from California, where it’s not this hot and not humid. To be honest, I can’t believe it’s going to be hotter” today.
By midafternoon, it was 100 in Chicago, Baltimore reached 99 and Washington hit 97, though the humidity made it feel like 107. In New York, it was 95 in Central Park and 100 at LaGuardia Airport in Queens. The National Weather Service said it could reach 104 today.
