NEW YORK, July 24 (UPI) -- At least 33 deaths have been associated with a dome of near-stationary heat and humidity over much of the United States this week, weather officials said.
The National Weather Service said among the death reports, more than a dozen were in Missouri, six came from Chicago and Tennessee reported four deaths.
From the Midwest to the Eastern Seaboard, heat alerts were posted and people were warned to remain hydrated and seek air conditioned shelter. Public swimming pool hours were extended in many cities and public buildings were opened as cooling refuges.
In New York's Central Park, the temperature hit a record 100 degrees Saturday afternoon, The New York Times reported. Washington's Ronald Reagan International Airport also broke a 100-year-old record, reaching 102 degrees, the newspaper said.
Dallas has had just one day this month -- July 1 -- below 100 degrees, Accuweather.com said.
Relief in the upper Midwest became problematic early Saturday when cool air from Canada spawned heavy rain, Accuweather.com said. Chicago's O'Hare International Airport recorded seven inches of rain, breaking a century-old record. Scores of flights were delayed or canceled.
The city and surrounding areas issued flash flooding warnings. Electricity to more than 50,000 customers was knocked out and crews were still working Sunday to restore it, the report said.
Accuweather said some regions will experience cooling, but not the majority.
"Unfortunately, no break in the heat appears to be in sight through much of this week," the forecast agency said.
