European officials issue heatwave alerts as temperatures top more than 100 degrees
Despite being at the height of the European tourism season, some local attractions have closed due to an unprecedented heatwave.
The heat wave, referred to as Cerberus, has caused European officials to issue warnings due to temperatures reaching well over 116 degrees in some regions.
The Washington Post reports that temperatures of at least 104 degrees welcomed tourists traveling to Rome. The outlet added that the scorching numbers set a record for July and came close to the city’s all-time high of 105 degrees.
Areas of Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Bosnia saw the same numbers. Residents and tourists in Sicily experienced temperatures as high as 115 degrees. Italy’s largest city could see sweltering temperatures of 118.4 degrees. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), the numbers in Sicily and Sardina could “potentially be the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe.”
The intense temps have caused government officials to step in and take preventative measures.
CNN reports The Ministry of Health issued its highest heat warnings for cities across the country. They also closed one of Greece’s largest tourist attractions, the Acropolis of Athens, to ensure visitors wouldn’t overheat while visiting the outside structures.
Staff at tourist attractions choosing to stay open have been doing their part to keep visitors hydrated and cool. Giant fans have been placed outside of the Colosseum in Rome, and in Greece, volunteers from the Hellenic Red Cross are handing out bottles of water, according to The New York Times.
Increased energy usage from air conditioners has caused rolling power outages across Italy. The country’s health officials have also taken unique measures to encourage heat safety, such as utilizing celebrities to communicate safety messages and weather advisories to residents.
In Italy, where energy demand has caused sporadic power outages, officials are taking unique measures to encourage heat safety, such as asking celebrities to appear on television to broadcast safety messages.
Regions in America are experiencing the same sufferable temperatures as Europe. California’s Death Valley National Park recently saw a record high of 128 degrees. CNN revealed the fiery conditions in the western regions have left more than 90 million people under heat alerts.
Martie Bowser is a journalist and public relations professional in Charlotte, NC. She enjoys amplifying the voices of POC and women that fill a void within their community. Her favorite things to cover include “person of interest” pieces, small business highlights, pop culture commentary, entertainment features, and everything about Beyoncé. Her bylines can be found in Blavity, Black Excellence, Signature Bride, Black Wall Street Times, and HipHop Weekly. Martie can be reached via email at martiebowser@detourxp.com.
This story was originally published July 19, 2023 at 6:33 PM.