Energy authorities in California are calling on the public to lessen their energy consumption through Wednesday following a string of power outages throughout the states. Power stations in the state were overwhelmed by a surge in energy demand after a record-breaking heatwave hit the west coast late last week.
A statewide flex alert was issued by the California Independent System Operator (ISO) on Sunday, warning the public of additional power outages this week. The last time a Stage 3 emergency alert was declared by the state's power grid operator was back in 2001.
In its alert, the ISO told residents to be prepared for rolling outages during late afternoons and early evenings throughout the much of this week. The agency explained that its systems simply cannot supply enough energy to meet rising electricity demand. Residents were advised to use their air-conditioners and other appliances sparingly to help prevent further outages.
The National Weather Service also issued excessive heat warnings to several areas in the United States, including the entire West Coast and part of the Central and Southern Plains. Around 150 million people living in the affected areas may experience temperatures of above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while around 50 million people could experience temperatures of above 100 degrees.
Temperatures in the Plains area are expected to hit a high of 107 degrees with a heat index of up to 115 degrees. Cooler temperatures are expected to come later this week. States and cities including Nevada, Arizona, Houston, Portland, Seattle, and Dallas will also be under heat alerts until Wednesday, with temperatures expected to hit highs of 125 degrees around high noon.
Apart from experiencing record-breaking temperatures, the main concern of weather experts is the longevity of the heat waves. National Weather Service meteorologist Trevor Boucher noted that the prolonged exposure to the heat and humidity could result in heat strokes and other complications. He added that the high humidity, caused by tropical moisture streaming into the west, will make it difficult for people to cool off. Nighttime temperatures are also expected to rise throughout the week, taking away the body's ability to recover from the extended heat exposure.
