Latest news with #extremeheat
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Family of Ronald Silver II sues Baltimore over DPW worker's heat-related death
The family of Ronald Silver II, a Baltimore Department of Public Works employee who died while working in extreme heat last year, is suing the City of Baltimore, attorney Thiru Vignarajah announced Thursday. Travis Christian, a co-worker who was with Silver on the day of his death, is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit. The lawsuit accuses the city of violating civil rights laws and forcing employees to work in unsafe conditions. In a notice of litigation, Vignarajah said DPW employees were afraid to report poor working conditions due to fear of being fired, especially those working as a condition of probation. He also said the department failed to inform workers about the risks of heat exposure or how to respond to symptoms of illness. "For years, DPW has operated a system of labor that demands that its workers, many of whom have prior criminal convictions, perform grueling manual labor in dangerous, subhuman conditions for laughable wages," Vignarajah said in a statement Thursday. "The agency has perpetuated a system where workers cannot ask for assistance, complain about their plight, or even quit—because if they do, they face retaliation, termination, and jail time." Silver, 35, died of hyperthermia on Aug. 2, 2024, while on his trash route, according to a report by the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health agency (MOSH) released in April. In March 2025, the Baltimore Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a detailed report outlining the events of that day, including accounts from witnesses and video evidence. Christian told investigators that the truck's air conditioning system was not functioning. He said Silver began feeling unwell several hours into his shift, but declined to rest, fearing the truck driver might report him to management. Silver collapsed twice that day. The first time, Christian said he found him lying face down, with scrapes on his hands and elbows and going in and out of consciousness. Christian described Silver's body as "limp and lifeless" as he lifted him into the truck. Later, Silver collapsed again while approaching a home to seek help. A witness attempted to assist and called 911. Silver was transported to the hospital, where he died. The OIG report said DPW workers feared retaliation for stopping work due to illness and described a culture that discouraged breaks even in dangerous heat. It also noted a longstanding pattern of excessive route demands, poor vehicle conditions, and lack of rest periods. MOSH cited the department for a "serious" safety violation, stating DPW failed to provide a safe working environment free from known hazards, including extreme heat. The agency also found that DPW lacked any heat safety training before Silver's death. It cited 14 heat-related injuries between 2021 and 2024, although the OIG identified 29 such cases. In response, DPW said it began implementing a Heat Illness Prevention Plan and requested additional time to comply. Silver's family has repeatedly said his death was preventable. They claim DPW ignored years of internal reports warning of unsafe conditions. "Mr. Silver's death was absolutely preventable and was the direct, predictable result of a city agency that treats its workers like indentured laborers," Vignarajah said in a March statement. "DPW's practices were designed to lock in a culture of silence and subjugation, and Ronald Silver II paid the ultimate price." Silver's family spoke to WJZ in November 2024, as they were grieving his loss. "I just love my son, and I miss him. I just want the world to know that my son did mean something. He wasn't just a trash man," Silver's father said in part.
CBS News
4 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Severe storms possible in Southeast Michigan Thursday afternoon and evening
Thursday is a NEXT Weather Alert Day due to the extreme heat throughout Southeast Michigan. While temperatures are one part of the equation, high dew points are another. The dew points will reach into the 70s, making it feel "swampy" outside and allowing added energy to fuel storms. Storms are forecasted to reach Southeast Michigan between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday. Some of these storms could be strong to severe. Our greatest threat with these storms will be heavy rainfall in a short period of time followed by strong winds up to 60 mph. Secondary threats will include hail and isolated tornado chances. Showers and storms, along with heat and humidity, will continue into Friday and the weekend, but the risk of severe weather will be diminished. Stay tuned to your CBS News Detroit NEXT Weather Team for the latest information on air, online, or streaming on the CBS News Detroit app and Pluto TV.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Millions under threat of extreme heat. Do you live in the 'danger' zone? See heat map
While Texas bakes under sweltering conditions, it's far from alone. Millions are under threat of extreme heat this week, as experts warn that temperatures will reach triple digits almost daily for the next few weeks. Extreme heat warnings, advisories and watches are in effect across several states Wednesday, July 23, as a powerful heat dome tightens its grip over the Mississippi Valley. The National Weather Service says the dome will slowly expand eastward through the week, pushing dangerous temperatures and stifling humidity into new regions. In many areas along and east of the Mississippi River, heat index values could soar to between 110 and 115 degrees — the kind of oppressive heat that can quickly turn dangerous without proper precautions. By Thursday, July 24, the dome's reach is expected to stretch into the Great Lakes and Northeast, bringing the intense summer scorch with it. "While this is not really a record-breaking air mass in terms of high temperatures, some towns and cities will struggle to drop below 80 degrees at night due to the high humidity levels and retention of heat by vast areas of concrete and pavement," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said Wednesday. "For those that only have a fan or open window to keep cool, sleeping will be difficult for some, with a high risk of dehydration." And in Texas, summer doesn't just hit harder — it sticks around longer. The first 90-degree days are arriving earlier, and stretches of triple-digit heat are lasting longer than ever, a USA TODAY analysis found. National heat index map: How hot is it in your city? The map below identifies areas where the heat index is forecasted to reach NWS-defined levels from "Caution" (80 degrees Fahrenheit) to "Extreme Danger" (above 125 degrees). The heat index measures how hot it actually feels when factoring for humidity. Prolonged exposure to a heat index above 80 degrees can lead to fatigue, as previously reported by USA TODAY. As it gets hotter, the risk continues to increase − potentially resulting in heat stroke or even death. Older adults, children, and outdoor workers are generally at higher risk of heat-related incidents. Search the heat index in your area Is your city getting hotter? It's possible! You can check the heat index forecast here to find out! What's the difference between temperature and heat index? The temperature is the actual air reading — what a thermometer records in the shade. The heat index, on the other hand, represents what it feels like to the human body when both temperature and humidity are factored in, according to the National Weather Service. When humidity is high, sweat doesn't evaporate as easily, making it harder for your body to cool down. That's why the heat index is often higher than the air temperature, and why it's used to gauge the risk of heat-related illness. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Extreme heat scorches US. Are you in the 'danger' zone? See map Solve the daily Crossword
The National
13 hours ago
- Climate
- The National
The region's searing summer heat reminds us of changing climate realities
July temperatures in most of the Middle East are challenging every year, especially for people whose jobs require them to spend long periods outdoors during the day. But however used to the trials of summer the region's inhabitants may be, extreme weather is becoming more common. This is a new climate reality that countries and governments can no longer ignore. Other regions, like Southern Europe, are even less equipped to deal with record high summers, with temperatures in some Spanish and Portuguese cities exceeding 46 degrees Celsius this month. As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has pointed out last year, when he called for an urgent international effort to address extreme heat, around 2.4 billion people around the world are at high risk from this issue. Governments need to continuously adjust to these realities. UAE authorities have had protocols in place for more than 20 years that mandate rest for workers – especially construction workers, delivery drivers, outdoor security personnel, among others – during the hottest parts of the day in the warmest months. This is intended to reduce their exposure to heat and any associated risk of fatigue and heat-related health issues. Other measures are in place across the country, such as Dubai and Ajman restricting working hours for government employees through the summer. Sensible and humane policies rightfully inform the labour laws of the country and also the standards companies set for themselves. The issue of responding to heat stress and climate-related challenges, though, is much larger than what can be tackled in labour law and HR offices. The challenges of tackling climate change vary from country to country, even as the overarching issue of addressing rising temperatures is common across the planet. Around 2.4 billion people around the world are at high risk from this issue Wildfires in coastal Syria this month raged on for more than a week. In Iraq, 46 million people are facing water crises after inadequate rains disrupted agricultural planning in the country that the UN has said is one of the five most vulnerable to certain effects of climate change. In Iran, a public holiday was announced as temperatures touched 50°C and residents were asked to limit their water usage. Rainfall in the Middle East and North Africa has been the lowest in five years. All of this points to a worrying future if strong measures are not taken urgently, and the Middle East is particularly vulnerable. A situation that is, however, increasingly precarious for much of the world requires foresight, planning, innovation and a sharing of expertise so that countries can work together to adapt to the challenges posed by a warming planet. In addition to federal plans already in place to tackle climate change and in recognition of the necessity of bracing for this uncertain climate future, Abu Dhabi launched a climate action plan yesterday for the next 25 years to bolster vulnerable environmental systems of groundwater, soil and biodiversity. Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, secretary general of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi called it "a science-backed, action-oriented road map'.
CBS News
17 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Expected excessive heat Friday prompts First Alert Weather Day. Check the forecast.
We're headed for a First Alert Weather Day Friday due to potentially extreme heat. Wednesday, we remain in a bit of a holding pattern, with high pressure still in control, but that's going to change quickly. The heat and humidity build Thursday into Friday, and some areas—especially parts of northeast New Jersey, New York City western Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley—could flirt with heat warning criteria by Friday afternoon. The National Weather Service already issued advisories and watches that go into effect Friday for parts of the Tri-State. An Extreme Heat Watch goes into effect at 10 a.m. Friday and lasts until 8 p.m. A Heat Advisory goes into effect at 11 a.m. and lasts until 8 p.m. Heat Advisories kick in any time the heat index of 95-99 degrees for two consecutive days, or 100-104 degrees for any length of time. An Excessive Heat Watch kicks in if there's a heat index of 105 degrees or more for two consecutive hours or greater. A cold front arrives Friday evening, bringing our next shot at strong to possibly severe storms, though there's still some uncertainty on storm strength. Saturday looks hot and humid again, but a bit less intense depending on cloud cover. Another front may bring showers or storms from late Sunday into Monday. Click here to check the latest watches, warnings and alerts.
