7 videos that show what the heat wave gripping the US looks like
Nearly 115 million Americans are under some type of heat alert Tuesday
At least 114 million at risk of potentially deadly heat-related illness from heat wave
Some locations could see heat index values as high as 115, which will greatly increase the risk for heat-related illnesses.
Extreme heat is baking much of the U.S. this week.
Triple-digit temperatures have been setting new records in several places. High humidity levels are pushing the heat index into dangerous territory, putting millions of Americans at risk of heat-related illnesses.
Nearly 115 million people from the Southwest to the Midwest and Southeast are under some type of heat alert.
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From cranking up the air-conditioning to downing tons of water, people across the country are doing their best to fend off the late-spring scorcher.
Here’s a look at how the heat wave is playing out from coast to coast.
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New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic (99) pours water on himself to cool off during hot day in the second half of an MLS match between the New England Revolution and Sporting Kansas City on June 12, 2022 at Childrens Mercy Park in Kansas City. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Power outages and demand
In Texas, the extreme heat led to record demand in the Lone Star State on Sunday, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.
Texas sets all-time record for energy demand on Sunday during heat wave
People are cranking up the air conditioning to ward off the heat in Texas.
FOX Weather’s Will Nunley said some heat-related power outages have been reported across the South, and the Tennessee Valley Authority is urging customers to do whatever they can to cut back on their electricity demand during the hottest times of the day.
Power outages due to record heat possible as dangerous heat wave engulfs Southeast
Power companies across the Southeast are urging customers to conserve energy when possible, as temperatures soar and demand increases. FOX Weather multimedia journalist Will Nunley is live from Pickwick Dam in Tennessee with the latest.
Triple-digit heat
The mercury climbed to near or above 100 degrees in many places on Monday. Add in the humidity, and that pushed the heat index to near 110 degrees for some.
Houston will see temperatures close to 100 on Monday
Houston will see temperatures close to 100 on Monday even though they are not one of the cities under any type of heat alert.
Heat index expected to reach over 105 degrees in Nashville as heat expands east
FOX Weather multimedia journalist Will Nunley is live in Nashville where a Heat Advisory has been issued as heat index values are expected to reach well over 105 degrees.
Cooling centers
St. Louis was among several cities across the country that opened cooling centers as temperatures soared to just over 100 degrees Monday. These centers are meant to give people who may not have regular access to air conditioning a place to seek shelter from the oppressive heat.
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Record-breaking heat expected for St. Louis
Some of the nation's most populated metros are at risk from a dangerous heat wave, including Chicago, Houston, Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, St. Louis and Dallas.
‘We could not have been more prepared’
Nashville hosted CMA Fest during the weekend, and officials at the Office of Emergency Management in Nashville said Monday they did not have many heat-related emergencies during the event.
"For CMA Fest, actually, we had a lot of hydration stations around in the festival footprint, so we could not have been more prepared," said Kendra Loney, spokeswoman for Nashville’s OEM.
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How Nashville is handling the dangerous heat sweltering the East
Kendra Loney, Public Information Officer for the Nashville Fire Department and Nashville Office of Emergency Management, talks about how they are handling the dangerous heat.
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