In pictures: How America is keeping cool in the heatwave

Sports and music events were cancelled in New York over the weekend as the city baked in a heatwave that was blamed for power outages affecting thousands.

And as residents tried to cool down, in temperatures hitting 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius), the strain on the city's electrical systems left 50,000 without power.

Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a heat emergency, as 500 "cooling centers" were opened for those without air conditioning.

The city's triathlon was called off for the first time in 18 years and a two-day festival, OZY Fest, due to take place in Central Park, was also cancelled.

The cities of Philadelphia and Washington have seen higher temperatures than Florida and Arizona, but residents and visitors found novel ways to cool down...

In New York, a girl cools off in water from an open fire hydrant.Image: REUTERS/Mike Segar

In Washington, a tourist tries to shield herself from the sun.Image: REUTERS/Will Dunham

A man in a wheelchair reaches down to touch a water feature in High Line Park, Manhattan.Image: REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Children play in the fountain at Washington Square Park, ManhattanImage: REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

Kids and adults cool off in a fountain on the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston, Massachusetts.Image: REUTERS/Brian Snyder