Heat alerts covering New York City and the Kansas City metropolitan area have been raised to the level, the higher tier above an advisory, according to reporting by Gothamist and Yahoo News. Yahoo News reported the alert level as a and named as the issuing office for the Missouri and Kansas counties.
Sources differ on the hazard itself. Gothamist and Yahoo News reported an excessive heat ; Yahoo News separately reported a . The start and end of the alert period also conflict: Gothamist reported a start of 11 a.m. on August 11, 2021 and an end of 8 p.m. on August 12, 2021, while Yahoo News reported a start of noon on June 30, 2021 with an end of 4 p.m. the same day, and, in other reporting, an end time of 7 p.m. Central time on July 28, 2021.
In New York City, Gothamist reported triple-digit heat with temperature indices reaching over 105 degrees from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. In the Kansas City area, Yahoo News reported that the metro remained under an excessive heat on Sunday, July 25, 2021, with temperatures expected to again rise into the 90s and a heat index upwards of 100 degrees. Counties listed across the reporting are Jackson, Clay, Platte, Cass, southeast Jackson and southern Lafayette in Missouri, along with Johnson, Wyandotte, Leavenworth, northwest Linn and Miami in Kansas. Places named include New York City, Lee's Summit, Belton, Raymore, Warrensburg, Harrisonville, Pleasantville, Paola and Odessa.
Accounts of the expected impact differ. Gothamist reported New York City Office of Emergency Management commissioner John Scrivani as saying it will be extremely dangerously hot, and that it is a multi-day event expected to tax the electric grid. Yahoo News reported that the high heat and humidity can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially when outdoors, and, in its flash flood reporting, that flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly, with small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, underpasses and low-lying areas at risk.
On precautions, Yahoo News reported that during the "dangerously hot conditions" people are advised to stay hydrated and stay out of the sun, according to the weather service, and separately that people should not drive through flooded areas. Gothamist reported that the OEM recommends staying inside an air-conditioned environment during the day and drinking plenty of water; avoiding strenuous activity outdoors, with kids, adults and people with lung disease limiting time outside; turning air conditioners to higher settings and waiting to use heavy appliances such as dishwashers and washers and dryers until the early morning or late evening; and checking on vulnerable neighbors.
Added the separately reported Flash Flood Warning, its June 30, 2021 start and end times, the additional Missouri and Kansas counties and named cities, and the flooding impacts and driving precaution.
Version 19 Aug 2026, 00:28current
First published.
Version 19 Aug 2026, 00:28
First published.
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