Germany Records 14,000 Heat-Related Deaths This Summer
Germany has recorded around 14,000 heat-related deaths this summer, the highest total in at least a decade, as Europe contends with extreme heat, drought, flash flooding in the United States, and record dryness in Britain.
Record Heat Deaths in Germany
Germany registered a record of around 14,000 heat-related deaths this summer according to official data. [3] Around 9,600 of those deaths were recorded in one week in late June when Germany baked in temperatures of over 40C, according to the Robert Koch Institute. [3] The institute said it has collected such heat mortality data for the past decade and that the previous record was 8,900 heat-related deaths in 2018. [3] The largest share of heat-related deaths occurred in the over-75 age group, the public health authority said in a statement. [3] In some cases such as heatstroke exposure to heat leads directly to death, whereas in most instances death results from a combination of heat exposure and pre-existing medical conditions, said its report. [3] Consequently heat is not usually listed as the underlying cause of death on the death certificate instead statistical methods must be employed to estimate the extent of heat-related deaths. [3] Germany has recorded a record number of heat-related deaths this summer with around 14,000 people dying due to the heat according to the Robert Koch Institute. [4] The figure includes deaths caused solely by high temperatures as well as heat combined with pre-existing conditions. [4] Most of the deceased were over 75 years old. [4] About 9,600 of the deaths took place in one week in late June. [4]
European Heatwave Impacts
The heatwaves and drought have fuelled a historically hot summer in Europe contributing to a spike in heat-related mortality in the worst-hit countries. [3] Spain's public health institute registered nearly 4,500 heat-related deaths since June 1 figures showed. [3] French health authorities said they had seen more than 7,300 excess deaths over the same period. [3] This summer heat and drought have battered Europe's biggest economy also fuelling wildfires reducing crop yields and dropping water levels in major rivers used for cargo shipping. [3] Ministers from the centre-left Social Democrats said Berlin must enshrine the need for climate adaptation and nature conservation in the German constitution. [3] The SPD's Environment Minister Carsten Schneider said the climate crisis was now a tangible reality but that current law limits what his ministry can do in response including in helping states and local governments. [3] The group of ministers urged changes to urban planning legislation and building codes and new labour laws to address working in high temperatures. [3]
Flash Flooding in Pennsylvania
The National Weather Service in State College has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Northern Cambria County in central Pennsylvania Southwestern Centre County in central Pennsylvania and Southern Clearfield County in central Pennsylvania. [1] The warning was in effect until 245 PM EDT. [1] At 1140 AM EDT Doppler radar indicated heavy rain across the warned area. [1] Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. [1] Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. [1] Flash flooding is ongoing. [1]
River Flooding in Ohio
The Flood Warning is extended for the Scioto River at Circleville. [2] Minor flooding is forecast. [2] The flooding is expected from this evening to Sunday morning. [2] At 19.0 feet flooding affects areas of Mill and Canal Roads as well as Island road and State Route 762. [2] Backwater flooding along Big Darby Creek causes flooding of some low lying roads and some backwater flooding along Hargus Creek affects low spots of Ted Lewis Park. [2]
Extreme Dryness in Britain
In Britain extreme dryness has become a defining feature of the summer. [5] Provisional data from the Met Office showed that England and Wales experienced their driest July on record while nearly three-quarters of England was officially under drought conditions by Aug. 10. [5] Photos taken on Aug. 19 show parched grassland at Blackheath in London at a recreation ground in London at Northwick Park in London. [5]
Broader Context and Adaptation Needs
A separate report by a medical publication had estimated 10,000 heat deaths in 1994. [3] In some years heat deaths had dropped below 2,000 said the report adding that these differences can be attributed to the varying severity of the heatwaves. [3] The party's former health minister Karl Lauterbach supported the push arguing that municipalities need financial help to adapt to a changing climate. [3] Effective heat protection costs a lot of money he told the Rheinische Post daily. [3] Many municipalities are heavily in debt and simply cannot finance the necessary measures on their own. [3] Earlier this month the German Association of Towns and Municipalities argued that billions are needed to help hospitals and nursing homes which often have no air-conditioning adapt to scorching temperatures. [3] Hospitals need air conditioning not only for patients but also for staff its president Ralph Spiegler told the Rheinische Post. [3] We see an immense need for investment here estimated at a minimum of 20 billion euros. [3] It is also essential to specifically address the situation in retirement and nursing homes in order to account for climate change and equip their facilities in a way that is adapted to the climate. [3] Lauterbach who has a doctoral degree in medical science said the true number of heat deaths this year may be even higher than the statistics indicate. [3] The Robert Koch Institute employs a rather conservative methodology he said. [3] This means the number of heat-related deaths is likely being underestimated. [3] In general heat-related deaths are not easily captured he said. [3] Very few people die of classic heatstroke during hot weather he said with most deaths occurring in combination with other conditions. [3] For instance high heat stress can contribute to a stroke developing from pre-existing atrial fibrillation. [3] Formally the person might die of a stroke but without the heat it might not have happened. [3]
What to watch next: Ongoing flash flooding remains possible in parts of central Pennsylvania with additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches forecast and minor flooding along the Scioto River at Circleville is expected to continue affecting local roads and parks through Sunday morning.
