Heat wave in France

2003

Killed over 35,000

Mostly of which were vulnerable elderly people which suffered heat related illnesses such as heat strokes, hyperthermia, and dehydration.

Previous Occurrences This wasn’t the only time France experienced

such temperature changes. Not too long, back in 1995 it had an occurrence that also killed nearly 400 lives.

Although if we look at them back to back the resulting difference is obviously larger.

1995 2003

France wasn’t the only victim…

Chicago lost over 739 people in August 1995, most residents whom lived alone.

How they dealt with extreme heat.

CHICAGO 1995 FRANCE 2003 Power grids failed as

49,000 had no electricity. Some swarmed the

beaches, while over 3,000 fire hydrants were opened loosing water pressure.

By second day, many already developed heat related illnesses.

Hospitals were running out of room & began closing their doors to new patients.

France government denied for a long time that they had no idea about the heat spell.

August is known to be a holiday month, therefore many workers including governmental positions were on vacation.

When temperatures reached to 39° C (102.2° F) hyperthermia began to break out.

Widowed women over the age of 75 were common victims.

Extreme heat kills more Americans

annually than any other natural disaster. 

Advice on how to stay cool in extreme heat conditions.

Drink lots of water or juice. Wear loose fitting clothes. Visit air-conditioned places like the

mall. Check on relatives, especially the

elderly. Eliminate running, biking, or lawn

activities. Eat less. Avoid high in protein foods that

increase water loss through metabolic heat.

Rogue Scholarship on Aging. (2009). Heat waves. Senescence and Summer 2009 (and beyond): Heat and Hyperthermia. Retrieve from http://uofugeron.wordpress.com/2009/05/28/senescence-and-summer-2009-and-beyond-heat-and-hyperthermia/

Dying Alone. (2002). Heat Wave. An interview with Eric Klinenberg. Retrieve from http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/443213in.html

World Socialist Web Site. (2003). French government tries to quell scandal over heat wave deaths. Retrieve from http://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/sep2003/heat-s18.shtml

National Weather Service Forecast Office. (2006). WHAT TO DO WHEN HEAT WAVES STRIKE. Retrieve from http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/lwx/heat.htm

Citations