Particle.news
Download on the App Store
8 ARTICLES
·
2mo ago

Extreme Heat Leaves Over 150 Ill at Paterson Graduations as Mayor Declares Emergency

Paterson opened cooling centers after declaring an emergency during a heat dome pushing eastern U.S. temperatures into the upper 90s.

Graduates sit during the Paterson Public Schools graduation at Hinchliffe Stadium, Jun 23, 2025, Paterson, New Jersey.
Image
EMS personal assist a women after the Paterson Public Schools graduation at Hinchliffe Stadium, Jun 23, 2025, in Paterson, N.J.

Overview

  • More than 150 attendees at two Hinchliffe Stadium graduations on June 23 fell ill, and 16 were hospitalized.
  • Temperatures climbed into the upper 90s with a heat index of 107°F, and the stadium’s artificial turf and lack of shade intensified the conditions.
  • Mayor André Sayegh declared a state of emergency and canceled all recreational events until further notice.
  • Paterson Public Schools had stationed EMTs, cooling stations, bottled water and industrial fans at the ceremonies, but those precautions could not prevent the surge in heat-related cases.
  • A heat dome is affecting nearly 150 million residents across the eastern United States, with forecasts calling for high temperatures to persist through Wednesday.