Lehigh County sees first heat death, after Upper Macungie woman dies in her home, coroner says

A Lehigh County woman died Thursday morning after she was exposed to severe heat conditions in her home, according to authorities. It was the first heat-related death reported in the county during the recent heat wave.

Coroner Daniel A. Buglio said in a news release that the 93-year-old woman died from hyperthermia after she was exposed to severe heat in her Upper Macungie Township home about 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

Her identity was being withheld Friday so her family can grieve privately, Buglio said. Her death is the first heat-related death in the county this year, he said.

The Lehigh Valley has had a number of very hot days this month, including several days this week. The region was under an excessive heat watch from Monday through Wednesday while heat index values pushed 100 or higher.

Temperatures reached 90 or higher 10 times this month, more than half of the month, as of Friday, according to weather service data. Highs will be in the 80s over the next few days.