White House Unveils Website To Keep Americans Safe From Intense Heat
Per the NOAA National Weather Service data displayed on the site, more than 39 million people in the U.S. reside in “warning areas” for extreme heat.
Amid rampant, nationwide heat waves, the White House launched Heat.gov on Tuesday. The website is meant to serve as “the premier source of heat and health information for the nation to reduce the health, economic, and infrastructural impacts of extreme heat.”
The website is part of a broader set of initiatives introduced by the Biden administration in response to the extreme heat caused by the climate crisis.
“President Biden has directed us to respond to the extreme heat gripping the nation. Extreme heat is a silent killer, yet it affects more Americans than any other weather emergency — particularly our nation's most vulnerable,” White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy said in a statement.
Interactive maps, tips on staying cool, forecasts, and other pivotal data can all be found on the website.
Per the NOAA National Weather Service data displayed on the website, more than 39 million people in the U.S. are in geographical zones deemed as “warning areas” for extreme heat advisories, watches, and warnings.
In addition to its effects at the domestic level, the extreme heat crisis is playing out on a global scale. Europe, typically known for its temperate summer climate, is facing uncharacteristically hot, dry weather that has catalyzed the spread of wildfires across the continent. Similar patterns of widespread, scorching heat are evident in parts of South Asia and China, as well.