business
Unbearable heat suspected in 19 New Jersey deaths as high temperatures give way to thunderstorms
By Corey Williams, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 5, 2026
· 3 min read
Several days of scorching temperatures are suspected to have caused at least 19 deaths in New Jersey as a heat dome that had settled above parts of the central and eastern United States gives way to severe storms that have knocked out power to close to 1 million homes and businesses.New Jersey of...
Key takeaway Mikie Sherrill called the current weather “the hottest stretch we’ve seen in over 14 years.
Why this matters in The Pearland
While the extreme heat and subsequent storms are currently affecting the eastern United States, Pearland residents can take this opportunity to review their own emergency preparedness plans. The fact that many of the heat-related deaths in New Jersey occurred in homes without air conditioning is a stark reminder of the importance of having a reliable cooling system, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. As a community within the Houston area, Pearland is no stranger to extreme heat and power outages, making it crucial for residents to have a plan in place for alternative cooling sources and emergency power backup. Additionally, the city's public safety and utility providers can take note of the widespread power outages in other states and review their own infrastructure and response plans to ensure they are prepared to handle similar situations in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 5, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Several days of scorching temperatures are suspected to have caused at least 19 deaths in New Jersey as a heat dome that had settled above parts of the central and eastern United States gives way to severe storms that have knocked out power to close to 1 million homes and businesses.New Jersey of...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 5, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Corey Williams, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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