1. Home
  2. Knowledge Base | PreventionWeb
  3. Hazards
  4. Hazard: Heatwaves, extreme heat and heat stress

Extreme heat case studies

This page presents case studies of extreme heat events and responses from different regions and contexts.

The examples illustrate how heat risks have been experienced, managed, and addressed around the world. They highlight impacts and showcase valuable lessons learned. Together, they provide practical insights to inform preparedness, planning, and risk reduction efforts for future heat events.

In 2022 alone, Portugal lost over 2,000 lives to extreme heat. In response, Amadora, a UNDRR Making Cities Resilient Resilience Hub, has taken bold steps to protect its people.
Uploaded on
Case study
Senegal
Case Study: A health early warning system to reduce extreme heat impacts in Senegal
This case study profiles the efforts of NOAA and other partners to enhance the region’s preparedness and response capabilities, mitigating the health threats of climate change through heat-health early warning (HHEW) systems in the Sahel.
  • United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Case study
Spain
Nature-Based Solutions in schools: a green way to adapt buildings to climate change in Solana de los Barros, Extremadura (Spain)
Different types of green roofs, green facades, permeable paving and ventilation systems have been tested in a school building of Spain to address increasing temperatures and water scarcity.
  • Climate-ADAPT
Case study
United States of America
Beating the heat: American Red Cross’ heat wave preparedness in Texas
This case study delves into the preparedness and response initiatives undertaken by the American Red Cross of Central & South Texas Region during the 2023 heatwaves, which pushed temperatures to a staggering 128°F (53°C).
  • Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC)
Training course
Online
Setting Operational Thresholds for Heat Early Warning Systems
This masterclass provides insight to some of the practical and operational considerations that both meteorological services and public health agencies may need to take when either developing or improving existing heat health thresholds for action.
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Training course
Online
Strategies to Combat Extreme Heat
Listen to an expert panel of designers, landscape architects, and policymakers share innovative, evidence-based strategies to reduce urban heat island (UHI), leading to improved health and wellness, mitigation of environmental impacts.
  • American Planning Association
Uploaded on