Number of deaths in New Jersey brutal heat wave climbs to 29

☀️At least 29 suspected heat-related deaths have been reported across New Jersey

☀️Officials say many victims were found in homes without air conditioning

☀️Record-breaking temperatures are easing as severe storms bring power outages

Several days of scorching temperatures are suspected to have caused at least 29 deaths in New Jersey as a heat dome that had settled above parts of the central and eastern United States gives way to severe storms that have knocked out power to close to 1 million homes and businesses.

New Jersey officials first said Saturday that they had counted 19 deaths, which began as early as Thursday with most occurring in the central and northern parts of the state.

“Unfortunately, many of these individuals were found in homes without air conditioning,” state Health Commissioner Raynard Washington told reporters Saturday. "A few were outside their residences, some on the street and some even in parked cars.”

"This was not a typical summer heat wave. And it affected everyone – young and old," Washington added on Monday. "We remain committed to working with our partners to promote heat safety, strengthen preparedness efforts, and help protect the health and well-being of all residents, visitors, and animals in New Jersey during periods of extreme weather."

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill called the current weather “the hottest stretch we’ve seen in over 14 years.”

“The heat's hitting all of us, not just seniors, not just with underlying health conditions, people of all ages,” Sherrill said.

ALSO READ: Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow's forecast

Long-standing heat records shattered

On Thursday, LaGuardia Airport in New York set a new record high of 104 degrees Fahrenheit, topping the previous record of 101 set in 1966, according to Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Prediction Center.

Trenton, New Jersey, reached 101, which broke the record of 100 set in 1901. Newark’s high Thursday was 105.

Atlantic City, New Jersey, hit 103 on Thursday, breaking the city’s record of 100 set in 1966, Jackson said. Atlantic City reached 105 on Friday and 106 on Saturday.

Heat domes can be dangerous and combine very high temperatures with high moisture, Jackson said.

“In a lot of cases they also had direct sunshine,” he said. “It was relentless. It was multiple days. It was not as cool overnight, as well. The low Friday morning in Atlantic City was 80. The body can't recover as well. You just have that multiple day buildup and too much added stress on the body.”

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