Nearly 200 million people across the Central and Eastern United States are grappling with a severe heat wave, and among those affected are Jamaican-born residents.
The extreme heat has caused major health emergencies, severe agricultural damage, the cancellation of America’s Independence Day Parade and resulted in over 182,000 homes being without power.
According to this Jamaican woman, who lives in New York, the record-breaking heat has not only raised health and safety concerns.
She explains that it has sparked a cost-of-living crisis in the U.S., as the extreme heat drives up electricity and water bills, as households still with power struggle to stay cool.
Meanwhile, this Jamaican man, who resides in New Jersey, describes how the heat is synonymous to open flames.
He said he has prioritised hydration to prevent a stroke.
Some of the Jamaicans living in the U.S. have signalled a desire to return to their homeland until the heatwave passes.
However, Jamaican nationals are warning their overseas counterparts, who wish to escape extreme heatwaves there, about oppressive temperatures and heat stress on the island.
The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has issued warnings for higher-than-normal extreme summer heat, primarily driven by an El Niño.
Citizens have also been urged to stay hydrated.
This St. Andrew woman describes the heat as unbearable.
She says it has prevented her from doing outside chores or running errands.
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