South of France: 14 Departments Issued Orange Warning for Elevated Temperatures
A blistering heatwave engulfs the Gard. On the sweltering afternoon of June 27, a whopping 35 degrees scorched Uzès under the scorching sun. In the bustling city center, every man, woman, and child has their unique method to combat the relentless heat: some use handheld misting devices, while others indulge in savoring creamy ice cream.
Rethinking Daily Life
Life, as we know it, takes an abrupt turn for an elderly couple when the heatwave strikes. Their morning alarm rings at an ungodly hour of 7 am, four hours earlier than normal. And their once familiar recipes see a drastic transformation: "We've pivoted our meals heavily towards salads and vegetables. Forget about gratins and cakes," says Annie Tiebot, a retiree. The couple returns home with their morning haul, and Philippe Tiebot whips out a cunning trick: he places ice-cold water bottles in front of his fan, turning it into a makeshift air conditioner, keeping their home's temperature at a cool 25 degrees, a cool 10 degrees below the sweltering heat outside.
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Additional Insights
Elderly residents in Uzès, Gard adapt their lifestyles to survive heatwaves. This includes:
- Timing Activities: Shifting routines to cooler hours, resting indoors during midday heat, and going out early in the morning or late in the evening.
- Seeking Shade: Utilizing shaded courtyards, terraces, or local parks for relief from sunlight and hot air.
- Hydration: Consuming plenty of water and minimizing outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.
- Community Support: Local authorities and organizations offering assistance programs or cooling centers for vulnerable populations during extreme heat days.
- Indoor Comfort: Relying on air conditioning or fans when available, or using stone-built homes naturally built to maintain cooler indoor temperatures.
- River Bathing: Cooling off in nearby rivers like the Gardon River at Collias or the Pont du Gard can provide relief from the scorching temperatures.
The Tiebot couple alters their daily routines in light of the heatwave, with a modified meal plan centering around salads and vegetables, and ingenious methods like using a fan with ice-cold water bottles to keep their home cool.
In an effort to adapt to extreme weather conditions, elderly residents in Uzès take various precautions, such as timing activities for cooler hours, seeking shade, maintaining hydration, seeking community support, relying on indoor comfort, and occasionally cooling off in nearby rivers like the Gardon River.
