From AC advice to pets in cars: how states are dealing with heatwave

A prolonged and potentially record-breaking heatwave, stretching across much of the central and eastern United States, has prompted emergency measures from federal, state, and local authorities as temperatures and humidity levels climb ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend.

The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that a “significant and dangerous heat wave” was affecting large parts of the country and has issued Extreme Heat Warnings for 26 states and Washington, D.C. The warnings cover areas across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and South, with some remaining in effect until Saturday evening.

Forecasters say heat index values—the temperature it feels like when humidity is factored in—could reach 115 F in some locations, including parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, and some of the most densely populated areas—including New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and parts of New Jersey are expected to be affected by the dangerous heat.

The NWS and public health officials are urging residents to:

• Stay hydrated.
• Seek air-conditioned spaces whenever possible.
• Limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day.
• Check on elderly relatives, neighbors and other vulnerable people.

New York City’s Response—and the Debate Over Thermostats

New York City has rolled out one of the country’s most expansive heat-response plans.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani activated the city’s Heat Emergency Plan on June 29, announcing the opening of hundreds of cooling centers, enhanced outreach to homeless and elderly residents, mobile “COOL” vans providing medical care and hydration supplies, and expanded pop-up cooling stations for outdoor workers.

The city also said more than 2,200 LinkNYC kiosks would provide directions to nearby cooling centers.

At a June 30 press briefing, Mamdani warned that the city could experience heat index values of up to 112 F and urged New Yorkers to prepare for dangerous conditions. “The single most important thing you can do in these temperatures is to stay indoors with air conditioning,” he said, according to NBC New York.

He later urged residents to conserve energy in a post on X, writing: “The power grid is working overtime to keep us cool. Set your AC to 78 degrees, turn off lights/electronics you’re not using, and unplug what you can.”

The post drew criticism from some social media users, who argued that an indoor temperature of 78F could be uncomfortable during a potentially dangerous heat event.

Others defended the recommendation, saying it reflected common energy-conservation guidance during periods of high electricity demand.

Indiana Expands Hot-Car Animal Rescue Protections

Indiana this week joined a growing number of states strengthening legal protections for people who rescue animals trapped in hot vehicles.

House Bill 1165, which took effect on Wednesday, July 1, allows people to break into a locked vehicle to save a pet they believe is in immediate danger without facing civil or criminal penalties.

Under the law, rescuers must:

• First, determine that the vehicle is locked
• Contact 911 or another emergency authority
• Use only the force necessary to gain entry
• Remain with the animal until help arrives

Melissa Gibson of Humane Fort Wayne told WANE that the previous law could have deterred intervention because rescuers risked being held financially responsible for vehicle damage. The new legislation removes that concern.

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control warned that pets can suffer heat distress in as little as 10 minutes inside a hot vehicle. Signs include excessive drooling, breathing difficulties, lethargy, and collapse.

Indiana now joins a growing number of states—including California, Florida, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin—that have enacted “hot car” or Good Samaritan laws protecting people who break into locked vehicles to rescue animals they believe are in imminent danger, according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Federal Government Declares Power Grid Emergency

Perhaps the clearest sign of the heat wave‘s severity came from Washington.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued two emergency orders aimed at reducing blackout risks across the PJM Interconnection region, the nation’s largest power grid operator, which serves millions of customers across Washington, D.C., and all or parts of 13 states, including Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

In the first order, the DOE authorizes PJM to “dispatch specified units and to order their operation as needed” to meet exceptionally high electricity demand during the heat wave. The second order allows PJM to call on backup generators if conditions become critical and the grid is at risk of not having enough electricity supply.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the measures were necessary to maintain grid reliability during a surge in electricity demand driven by air-conditioning use. “Maintaining affordable, reliable, and secure power in the PJM service territory is non-negotiable,” Wright said.

According to ABC News, PJM forecast peak electricity demand of 166,304 megawatts on Thursday, which would surpass the previous record set in 2006.

Newsweek has reached out to PJM by email for comment.

Outages Already Affecting Communities

As temperatures climb, utilities are warning that local electrical systems are coming under pressure.

According to CBS News, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), the electric utility that delivers power to northern Illinois, including Chicago, issued alerts warning that portions of its network were under “critical strain” and called on customers to reduce electricity use by raising thermostats, delaying use of major appliances, and turning off unnecessary electronics.

Meanwhile, AccuWeather reported that more than 100,000 customers nationwide were without power on July 1, while warning that a combination of extreme heat, heavy air-conditioning demand and thunderstorms could lead to additional outages.

AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alan Reppert said, “The extreme heat and humidity are expected to bring near-record, or possibly record, energy usage to the mid-Atlantic power providers,” adding that some “could see possible power cuts to stabilize the grid if it becomes unstable.”

States Turn to Cooling Centers and Public Alerts

Elsewhere, local and state agencies have opened cooling centers, extended public pool hours, distributed emergency heat advisories and urged residents to establish cooling plans before temperatures reach dangerous levels.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: John Fitzpatrick and Cristina Diciu.