See this message from California’s Office of Emergency Services:
“State Officials Urge Californians to Stay Cool, Conserve Energy During Heat Wave
“A heat wave is forecasted for much of the state starting Wednesday, June 16 through Saturday, June 19. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) asks Californians to stay safe as the extreme temperatures will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses for vulnerable populations and those who work outdoors. In addition, a Flex Alert has been issued for consumers to conserve energy on Thursday, June 17 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. It’s important to limit the use of air conditioning, electric car charging, and other energy-intensive technology.”
The same is true for the entire western and southwestern half of the United States, with the exception of Washington state.
It was a different generation of emergency managers in charge at the time, but California has had experience with problems with electrical power during heatwaves. I expect emergency managers everywhere are planning for cooling centers for those who need it, and if the power fails, there will be a great need.
Way back in the rear view mirror (some emergency managers were not yet born) Chicago had a heat disaster documented in the book Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago. There are plenty of tips there for how government should respond after looking at the failures in Chicago. Dust it off and let it be a planning guide for today’s events.
