Introduction
North America is experiencing one of the most intense heat waves in its history, with devastating consequences in the United States. At least 25 people have died due to high temperatures and strong storms that hit the country during the 4th of July celebrations, marking 250 years of US independence.
Extreme Heat and its Victims
According to the Guardian, more than 20 states recorded temperatures above 38°C during the 4th of July celebrations. In New Jersey, the extreme heat was responsible for the death of 22 people, many of whom were found in homes without air conditioning or in outdoor areas and vehicles without cooling.
Additionally, three children died in Wisconsin after a boat capsized during a strong storm on Lake Geneva, as reported by the AP. The storm caused damage, knocking down trees, breaking power transmission lines, and affecting road and air transportation in several neighboring states.
Impact on Infrastructure and Economy
Nearly 1 million people spent the US Independence Day without electricity due to the storms. The Financial Times reports that the extreme weather caused the price of electricity to soar in the US market, with an increase of over 240% in the northeast of the country.
The scheduled events for the 4th of July celebrations were also affected, with President Donald Trump's speech being delayed due to the risk of a strong storm. Other events, such as the military parade, were canceled due to the extreme heat.
The Role of Climate Change
According to an attribution study released by the global network of climate scientists World Weather Attribution (WWA), episodes like the current heat wave in North America would be virtually impossible without climate change. The study highlights that the probability of such an event is only 0.5% and would be virtually impossible under the pre-Industrial Revolution climate.
“On the 250th anniversary of the US, our study provides a clear indication of reality. The climate the country has today is fundamentally different from the one that existed when the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence,” said Theodore Keeping, a climate scientist at Imperial College London and WWA collaborator.
Conclusion
The heat wave that hit the US during the 4th of July celebrations is a grim reminder of the consequences of climate change. It is essential that urgent measures are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of global warming.
Source / Reference
Original URL: https://climainfo.org.br/2026/07/06/onda-de-calor-e-tempestades-matam-pelo-menos-25-pessoas-nos-eua/