In Paterson, New Jersey, two outdoor graduation ceremonies held amid a dangerous heatwave resulted in over 100 individuals requiring treatment, with some being transported to the hospital, as reported by the authorities.
According to the Paterson Fire Division, approximately 50 people received treatment at Hinchliffe Stadium on Monday during the first high school graduation ceremony. The fire department’s statement indicated that nine individuals were taken to the hospital.
Later that day, during a second ceremony, around 100 individuals required treatment, and seven were taken to the hospital, the fire department reported.
Temperatures climbed into the upper 90s on Monday, and the heat index hit 107 degrees, according to The Weather Channel.
Graduates from several high schools were scheduled to walk the stage at ceremonies held at the stadium. According to News 12 New Jersey, only students from Eastside High School heard their names called after the other ceremonies were canceled.
Paterson Public Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
One student from Rosa L. Parks School of Fine & Performing Arts told News 12 New Jersey that administrators were giving students water, “but it wasn’t enough.”
“It was exhausting. I couldn’t breathe,” Ciarra Bailey said.
On Monday evening, Mayor André Sayegh declared a state of emergency due to the high heat and canceled all recreational activities. Public libraries were opened as cooling centers.
Scorching temperatures are impacting much of the eastern half of the U.S., with nearly 150 million people under heat alerts from Maine to eastern Texas.
