Holiday weekend heat-deaths labeled ‘mass casualty event’ by advocates

With 29 deaths in five days, advocates label holiday weekend heat-related deaths a 'mass casualty' event and urge NJ to do more to protect vulnerable residents.

By: Lilo H. Stainton

Outlets: New Jersey Monitor

Published: July 10, 2026

Words: 962

Last Updated: 1 week, 5 days ago

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Heat-related deaths in New Jersey appear to have shot up roughly five-fold over last summer following a holiday weekend with record-high temperatures, prompting advocates to urge the state to do more to protect vulnerable residents.

New Jersey reported 29 heat-related deaths between July 2 — when state data shows temperatures in New Jersey peaked at 108 degrees — and July 6, according to state health officials, up from six such fatalities last summer. …

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