Heat Waves Are Getting Longer and More Brutal. Here’s Why Your AC Can’t Save You Anymore

When Hurricane Ida slammed into Louisiana in August 2021 with catastrophic flooding and high winds, more than 1 million people were left without power. Then came the heat wave. Temperatures soared above 90 degrees Fahrenheit - a blow to those who were sweltering in their homes and unable to turn on air conditioning as power outages lasted for days.

The heat was deadliest in New Orleans, responsible for at least nine of the city's 14 hurricane-related deaths.

The combination of a hurricane, a heat wave and a multi-day power outage is a nightmare scenario, but it's one that will become ...