Officials in New Jersey report suspected heat-related deaths totaling at least 19 as a period of extreme temperatures gives way to severe weather. Multiple outlets say the deaths are linked to days of scorching conditions across the central and eastern United States, often described as a “heat dome.” According to New Jersey officials, they begin seeing what they believe are heat-related deaths as early as Thursday, with most cases occurring in the central and northern parts of the state. As temperatures ease, storms move through the region. Several sources report that the thunderstorms knock out power to close to 1 million homes and businesses. The transition from high heat to severe storms affects large parts of the area where the heat wave had settled, including areas of New Jersey. While the number of fatalities is presented as suspected and tied to the heat conditions, officials are still linking deaths through ongoing review and identification processes. The combined reporting highlights both the health impacts during the hottest period and the disruption caused as severe weather follows.