The record-breaking heatwave hitting the U.S right now is more than just sweltering — it’s downright dangerous. A scare at the White House in the middle of a daily press briefing is highlighting just how dangerous heat can be, even indoors.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stepped off the podium Tuesday, June 18, after someone can be heard saying, “We have an emergency.” Jean-Pierre then went to check the person who appeared to have overheated, before she returned to the briefing. “Does anybody need water?” she asked the reporters in attendance, agreeing that it was hot in the briefing room.
AccuWeather is reporting the high temperature reached 94 degrees in Washington Tuesday, June 18. It’s also expected to get hotter as the week goes on, with the National Weather Service predicting a potential high of 99 degrees by Saturday, June 22.
The heat in D.C. is part of a bigger heatwave sweeping over the eastern U.S. right now. Meteorologists say around 270 million people will experience temperatures at or above 90 degrees this week.
The heat is not the only big severe weather event facing the U.S. right now. At least one person has been confirmed dead in New Mexico as two wildfires continue to burn.
The fires forced thousands to quickly flee their homes and fire officials say more than 500 structures have been destroyed by those fires so far.
However, forecasters said incoming cooler weather and the chance of rain could bring some relief this week to firefighters battling the blazes.
The Texas coast is under a tropical storm watch as what could soon become the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season approaches. The National Hurricane Center said heavy, potentially flooding rain is expected, with as much as 15 inches possible.