Record-breaking U.S. heat wave scorches the Midwest and Northeast

By NewsPress Now

TOLEDO, Ohio | Stifling heat blanketed tens of millions across United States on Tuesday, forcing people and even zoo animals to find ways to cool down as summer arrives in what promises to be a sweltering week.

Extreme heat alerts stretched from Iowa to Ohio and even into the upper reaches of Michigan on Tuesday, canceling youth sports camps, nature walks and festivals across the region. The National Weather Service said the dangerous heat wave was expected to make its way across the country and into Maine until at least Friday.

An organization that provides produce to areas with limited access to fresh foods in Columbus, Ohio, prepared frozen towels for their workers in case of overheating and packed cold water to stay hydrated.

“Hydration is the key,” said Monique McCoy, market manager for the Local Matters Veggie Van.

In Toledo, Ohio, the city canceled a weekly fitness event and a neighboring suburb called off a street fair as temperatures reached the mid-90s. A food bank in upstate New York canceled deliveries for Wednesday out of concern for its staff and volunteers.

Schools in New York canceled field trips Tuesday to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, where workers turned on water misters for visitors and the animals. Elephants and other animals were getting chunks of ice in their pools, said Ted Fox, the zoo’s executive director.

“Most of the species love them,” Fox said. “Even the tigers love to lick the ice and put their heads on them when it’s this warm.”

Cities that opened cooling centers this week advised that some public libraries, senior centers and pools where residents could beat the heat will be closed Wednesday because of the Juneteenth holiday.

— From AP reports