I remember reading this review last year (almost a year to date) about a heat wave in chicago, in 1995-- 800 or so were killed...(do you remember it? i remembered some of the story) here is a link to a book review (i still haven't read the book)
http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2002/08/20/heat/

a quick google search points out, in 1998, Chicago lost another 30 or so people to a shorter heat wave.

Point is, Heat kills. Its 90º or so now, and while i have a/c (lower case, power, upper case (A/C) air condisioning)--many in NYC, and other areas don't. NancyK and Sparteye may or maynot have running water (mine was only a short 14 story hike away, and i was only with out for 12 hours)-- and i suspect its as hot in MI as it is here.

most of us don't have houses or lives that are built around dealing with heat (accept with A/C). this is not the first heat wave in europe, nor will it be the last...