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10h 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.
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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.