local
Europe's record heat has overwhelmed Paris mortuaries and left families in distress
By John Leicester And Jeffrey Schaeffer, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 29, 2026
· 4 min read
Every few minutes, the mortuary owner's phone rings. Since a record-smashing heat wave started taking lives and storage space for bodies in Paris and beyond, the funeral directors and mourning families calling him mostly have the same question: Do you have room for one more? With all 32 places in...
Key takeaway With all 32 places in his cold room taken, Zouhaeir Hertelli reluctantly has to gently say “Non,” over and over and over again.
Why this matters in Tomball News
The devastating impact of Europe's record heat wave on Paris mortuaries is a stark reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness in Tomball , particularly when it comes to caring for the city's vulnerable populations, such as the elderly. As the Houston area continues to experience extreme temperatures, local funeral homes and mortuaries may face similar challenges in the future. The situation in Paris highlights the need for Tomball's emergency management officials to review and update their plans for responding to heat-related emergencies, including ensuring adequate capacity for mortuary services. Additionally, the city's public health department should consider launching public awareness campaigns to educate residents, especially seniors, on how to stay safe during heat waves. By learning from the experiences of other cities, Tomball can take proactive steps to protect its residents and mitigate the effects of extreme weather events.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Every few minutes, the mortuary owner's phone rings. Since a record-smashing heat wave started taking lives and storage space for bodies in Paris and beyond, the funeral directors and mourning families calling him mostly have the same question: Do you have room for one more? With all 32 places in...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by John Leicester And Jeffrey Schaeffer, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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