Sociospatial Modeling for Climate-Based Emergencies: Extreme Heat Vulnerability Index

Heat Waves and extreme heat are frequently not considered to be severe or adverse weather conditions. However, they are the leading cause of weather-related fatalities throughout the world. The misconception of heat is often due to the lack of visual evidence caused by destruction or risk, a commonly reported metric for hurricanes or similar forces. Heat Waves can be visualized through the Urban Heat Island, a phenomenon which exaggerates thermal impact within the built environment. This chapter explores and describes the Extreme Heat Vulnerability Index (EHVI), a local-area model designed for advance warning and mitigation practices related to extreme heat and socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods, through example data from Chicago, IL. The disadvantages and shortcomings of previous weather warnings are discussed, as well as how better vulnerability models can improve mitigation strategies to reduce loss of life and improve resource management. Mitigation practices from Chicago, Phoenix, Arizona, and other cities will be discussed to provide examples of the benefit of implementing vulnerability warnings.