Fact Check: "Nearly 150 million Americans under heat advisory as temperatures soar."
What We Know
The claim that "nearly 150 million Americans are under heat advisory as temperatures soar" is based on reports from various news outlets and weather services. According to the AP News, nearly 60% of the U.S. population was under a heat advisory or flood warning at one point, which translates to approximately 200 million people. However, this figure includes those under various types of advisories, not solely heat advisories.
The National Weather Service reported that as of a specific date in late July 2023, the number of people under heat advisories rose from 180 million to 184 million within a short time frame, indicating a significant portion of the population was indeed affected by extreme heat conditions (AP News).
In contrast, The New York Times noted that about 50.5 million people, or 15% of the population in the contiguous United States, were expected to experience dangerous levels of heat. This suggests that while many people were under advisories, the specific claim of 150 million under heat advisories may not be entirely accurate.
Analysis
The claim that "nearly 150 million Americans are under heat advisory" is somewhat misleading. While it is true that a large number of people were affected by extreme weather conditions, the figure of 150 million is not directly supported by the data. The AP News report highlights that 60% of the U.S. population was under some form of advisory, but this includes flood warnings and other alerts, not just heat advisories (AP News).
Additionally, the data from The New York Times indicates that the number of people specifically facing dangerous heat conditions is significantly lower than the claim suggests (The New York Times). This discrepancy raises questions about the accuracy of the claim and the context in which the numbers are presented.
Moreover, the reliability of the sources varies. The AP News is a reputable news organization known for its fact-checking and journalistic standards, while The New York Times also maintains a strong reputation for accuracy. However, the interpretation of the data can vary based on the framing of the advisory types.
Conclusion
The verdict is Partially True. While it is accurate that a significant portion of the U.S. population was under some form of weather advisory, the specific claim of "nearly 150 million Americans under heat advisory" is misleading. The actual number of people under heat advisories is lower than suggested, and the figure includes various types of advisories, not solely heat-related warnings.
