South Korea Reports 16 Heatwave Deaths as President Declares National Disaster
South Korea Declares Heatwave a National Disaster
South Korea's record heatwave has killed 16 people, prompting President Lee Jae-myung to declare it a national disaster and call for a fundamental overhaul of the national crisis system as extreme weather becomes the new normal. [2] President Lee Jae Myung urged on Tuesday authorities to step up support for people affected by a record heatwave in the country, saying the death toll had risen to 16 and warning that extreme weather was becoming more frequent. [2] Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Lee called on officials to take necessary measures to protect the daily lives of people and inspect power systems as demand for air conditioning surges. [2] "We need to make efforts for a fundamental overhaul of the national crisis system, since this extreme weather is becoming normal," he said. [2] During a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, Lee said the government should “consider the current situation a national disaster” and mobilize all available resources to safeguard the public. [3] “Protecting people’s lives is the most urgent task,” Lee said. [3]
Record Temperatures and Expanded Warnings in Seoul
Yangsan in southeastern South Korea recorded 42.5°C on Sunday, the highest temperature in 122 years of observations. [2] The nation's weather agency said Yangsan, a southeastern inland city, recorded a temperature of 42.5°C (108.5°F) on Sunday, the highest temperature measured in 122 years of weather observations. [2] The country saw a new national record for the highest temperature ever recorded in Yangsang on Sunday at 42.5 C. [3] The Korea Meteorological Administration issued its first-ever heatwave warning for parts of Seoul and Gyeonggi on Monday, extending it to all of Seoul on Tuesday when the highest-level alert covers the entire capital. [2] The Korea Meteorological Administration also issued its first-ever heatwave warning for parts of Seoul and neighbouring Gyeonggi on Monday, extending this to the entire capital on Tuesday. [2] South Korea issued its highest-level heat alert across all of Seoul on Tuesday, as President Lee Jae Myung urged the government to treat the prolonged heat wave as a national disaster and take immediate measures to protect lives. [3] The Korea Meteorological Administration expanded the severe heat warning to Seoul’s northeastern and northwestern districts at 11 a.m., extending the alert to the entire capital after it had already been in effect in the city’s southeastern and southwestern areas. [3] The highest-level warning requires an immediate halt to outdoor activities except essential work. [3] The highest-level warning, issued when the daily maximum perceived temperature is expected to exceed 38 degrees Celsius or the daytime high is forecast to surpass 39 C, calls for an immediate halt to outdoor activities, except for essential work. [3] Intense heat has gripped the country for days, mainly in southern regions, with rising heat-related illnesses reported. [3] Intense heat has been gripping South Korea for days, although mostly concentrated in southern regions so far, pushing temperatures to record levels in parts of the country and disrupting daily life. [3] Officials have warned of rising heat-related illnesses, while authorities have stepped up measures to protect vulnerable groups and workers exposed to extreme conditions. [3]
Government Orders to Protect Lives and Workers
President Lee Jae-myung urged authorities to step up support for those affected, inspect power systems amid surging air-conditioning demand, and protect vulnerable groups including the elderly and those in cramped housing. [2] Lee also called for stricter monitoring of outdoor workplaces and enclosed work environments, urging officials to ensure workers’ right to suspend operations during extreme heat is effectively enforced. [3] He instructed officials to strengthen support for vulnerable groups, including people living in cramped housing and elderly residents living alone. [3]
Severe Thunderstorms and Flash Flooding in Arizona
In Arizona, the National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Pima County with 60 mph wind gusts threatening roof, siding and tree damage, and a Flash Flood Warning for western Cochise County due to ongoing flooding from earlier thunderstorms. [1] [4] Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Pima, AZ. At 844 PM MST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line from 13 miles northeast of San Miguel to 17 miles north of San Isidro, moving west at 15 mph. [1] HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. [1] SOURCE...Radar indicated. [1] IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [1] Locations impacted include Sells, Topawa, San Isidro, Kitt Peak, Ali Chukson, South Komelik, Fresnal, San Pedro, Queens Well, No:ligk, South Comobabi, Comobabi, Cababi, Santa Rosa Ranch, Sil Nakya, San Luis - Sells District, Fresna. [1] Flash Flood Warning: Cochise, AZ. FFWTWC. The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Western Cochise County in southeastern Arizona until 1000 PM MST. [4] At 802 PM MST, the public reported continued flash flooding from earlier thunderstorms across the warned area. [4] Washes were running high across the region with flooding impacts to continue into the late evening. [4] Additional rainfall will mainly be less than 0.25 inches. [4] HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. [4] SOURCE...Public. [4]
Critical Fire Weather in Pacific Northwest
A Red Flag Warning for critical fire weather was issued for the western Columbia River Gorge in Oregon and Washington due to dry conditions and easterly winds up to 40 mph. [5] CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED IN THE WESTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR DRY CONDITIONS AND EASTERLY WINDS UP TO 40 MPH. [5] AFFECTED AREA...In Washington, Fire Weather Zone 636 Western Columbia River Gorge in Oregon and Washington. [5] WINDS...East 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Winds will be strongest Tuesday morning through early Tuesday afternoon, and again Tuesday night through early Wednesday afternoon. [5] RELATIVE HUMIDITY...A. [5]
What to watch next: The Korea Meteorological Administration extended the highest-level heat alert to the entire capital on Tuesday, while the National Weather Service warnings for Pima County thunderstorms, western Cochise County flash flooding, and western Columbia River Gorge critical fire weather remain active with hazards including 60 mph wind gusts and easterly winds up to 40 mph.
