Heat wave eases; New York, other cities plagued by blackouts

July 7, 1999
Web posted at: 1:06 p.m. EDT (1706 GMT)

From staff and wire reports

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The heat wave over the eastern United States eased slightly Wednesday, but power outages -- including a blackout in Manhattan -- left hundreds of thousands without air conditioning, fans or refrigeration in still-high temperatures.

The intense heat has contributed to at least 17 deaths: seven in Pennsylvania, three in New York City, three in New Jersey, two in Massachusetts and two in Chicago. [None in California. -ab]

Consolidated Edison, a New York utility company, reported 68,0000 customers were without electric power, including about 20 percent of Manhattan.


The heat index -- the combined effect of temperature and humidity -- made it feel like 109. The city officials on Tuesday opened 86 "cooling centers" for people to escape the heat.







Yeah, then Pete's there trying to convince me
to move to Florida. I'm like, I don't think so.










Oh allan, you should move to
Texas. The climate is wonderful.
Nope.