Series of EmergencyNet News Daily Reports Concerning the Continuing Heat Emergency in the Southwestern USA

Series of EmergencyNet News Daily Reports Concerning the Continuing Heat Emergency in the Southwestern USA - 14 Jul 98 to 22 Jul 98

Excerpted from: ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT-EmergencyNet NEWS Service-Tuesday, July 14, 1998 Vol. 2 - 195

DISASTER NEWS - UNITED STATES

hotsun.gif (8102 bytes) HEAT WAVE KILLS 15 PEOPLE IN DALLAS
From the ERRI Watch Center

DALLAS (EmergencyNet News) - At least 15 people have died during an intense heat wave that has sent temperatures soaring up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the Dallas area. At least seven of the victims have died since Sunday. Officials said that five people succumbed to the heat Sunday, when thermometers hit an 18-year high of 110 degrees (F), and that another two people died Monday. They were investigating to see whether two other deaths might also be heat-related.

Charles Gaylor, a field agent at the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office, said most victims were either middle-aged or elderly and many of them had heart disease or other serious ailments.

Gaylor said, "The heat is an extra stress on an already ill person." He added that the stress of searing heat can kill healthy people too if they are not careful. He said the seven people killed over the last two days all showed body temperatures of at least 108 degrees (F) when they were found dead or rushed to a hospital.

One of the victims, an 83-year-old woman, was found at her home by her two nieces shortly after midnight Monday morning. She lived alone and had an air conditioner but it was not turned on. Health officials say many people are too scared about high electricity bills to keep their air conditioners turned on.

Temperatures hit 100 degrees (F) for the eighth straight day Monday, bringing the total of triple-digit temperature days so far this summer to 21 for Dallas. Weather experts say it is the worst heat wave to hit the Dallas area since the record-breaking summer of 1980, when temperatures rose above 100 degrees on 69 days.

Excerpted from: ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT-EmergencyNet NEWS Service-Wednesday, July 15, 1998 Vol. 2 - 196

Morning Summary

DALLAS (EmergencyNet News) - The death toll from a blistering heat wave in the Dallas area rose to 16 as city officials declared a public health emergency. The Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office says an 84-year-old woman is the latest victim of a 100-degree heat wave. The woman was found dead in her home and experts have concluded that she died from hyperthermia when the temperature inside her un-air conditioned home soared well into the 90s. Thermometers hit 101 degrees (F) in Dallas on Tuesday, the ninth straight day of triple-digit temperatures. Officials say they are keeping libraries and other public buildings open longer as "cooling shelters."

DALLAS (EmergencyNet News) - The heat wave that has seared the South for weeks is now blamed for nearly 50 deaths -- and forecasters say no relief is in sight. At least 23 deaths in Texas, six in Oklahoma and 20 in Louisiana have been blamed on the heat since mid-May. Record temperatures have also ruined crops across thousands of acres. Drought conditions have left all but four of Georgia's 159 counties as disaster areas, clearing the way for farmers to obtain federal aid. Estimated losses for farmers and ranchers in Texas was $1.5 billion.

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DISASTER NEWS

UNITED STATES

DALLAS DECLARES PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
By Amy Grant, ERRI Medical Analyst

DALLAS (EmergencyNet News) - The death toll from a blistering heat wave in the Dallas area rose to 16 as city officials declared a public health emergency and drew up measures to protect the elderly and the sick. The Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office said an 84-year-old woman was the latest victim of a heat wave which has killed 16 people, including eight since temperatures jumped to an 18-year high of 110 degrees Fahrenheit Sunday. The woman was found dead by relatives at her home Monday afternoon. She suffered from heart disease but experts concluded Tuesday that she died from hyperthermia when the temperature inside her home soared well into the 90s.

Four other deaths were also being investigated to see if they were heat- related. Most of the 16 heat victims since 1 June in the Dallas area have been middle-aged or elderly and suffered from heart disease or other serious illnesses.

Thermometers hit 101 degrees (F) in Dallas on Tuesday, the ninth straight day of triple-digit temperatures and the 22nd of the summer. City officials declared a public health emergency on Tuesday evening after meeting with health authorities and private groups to discuss ways to hold down the death toll. Officials said they would keep libraries, recreation centers and other public buildings open longer as "cooling shelters" so people who do not have air conditioning at home could find shelter during the hottest hours of the day.

Other measures include setting up a 24-hour toll-free telephone line for city residents in distress, and making funds available to help buy fans for residents who might be in danger but can't afford to keep their homes cool. Officials also urged residents to check regularly on their elderly or sick relatives and neighbors.

Weather forecasters said on Tuesday there was little hope of a quick end to the heat wave, which is the most intense to hit the Dallas-Fort Worth area since the record-breaking summer of 1980, when temperatures rose above 100 degrees (F) on 69 days and 20 people were killed by the heat.

The heat wave is believed to have killed at least six other people across Texas, as well as several others in Louisiana and Oklahoma. Police in the New Mexico town of Gallup said Tuesday that three children died and a fourth was in critical condition after they accidentally locked themselves in the trunk of a family car in 98-degree (F) while playing at their home. The accident occurred Monday afternoon, killing three children aged two, three and five. The fourth child, a six-year-old girl, was still in critical condition.

Excerpted from: ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT-EmergencyNet NEWS Service-Thursday, July 16, 1998 Vol. 2 - 197

DISASTER NEWS

UNITED STATES

DALLAS (EmergencyNet News) - Health department phone lines were jammed Wednesday with calls from people worried about surviving the searing heat as Texas had its 10th straight day of 100-degree temperatures. The heat wave has been blamed for nearly 50 deaths throughout the South.

The heat wave has stretched from Arizona into Colorado and east to Florida, but has been particularly deadly across the South. It is blamed for at least 25 deaths in Texas, six in Oklahoma and at least 20 in Louisiana since mid-May. Wednesday was the 23rd day this year that the temperature hit or exceeded 100 degrees in the Dallas area, and 10th day in a row. It was 104 degrees Wednesday afternoon at Love Field airport in Dallas.

Intense heat in southern Arizona set several records Wednesday, including a new peak of 118 degrees (F) in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the Arizona-Mexico border. An illegal immigrant from Mexico was found dead there a day earlier, apparently a result of the heat.

Excerpted from: ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT-EmergencyNet NEWS Service-Friday, July 17, 1998 Vol. 2 - 198

ERRI MORNING NEWS SUMMARY

DALLAS (EmergencyNet News) - A searing heat wave causing misery across the South has claimed more lives. Authorities say two women, aged 80 and 90, were found dead inside their homes in Dallas, the latest victims of the intense summer heat that has now killed at least 55 people across Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Dallas suffered its 11th straight day of triple- digit temperatures on Thursday as thermometers rose to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Meteorologists see no quick end to the heat wave and say it might get even worse.

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ESR CLOSE UP

DEATH TOLL FROM SUMMER HEAT IN TEXAS GOES UP
By Amy Grant, ERRI Medical Analyst

DALLAS (EmergencyNet News) - The unrelenting heat wave causing misery across the South claimed more lives on Thursday. Medical officials said two women, aged 80 and 90, were found dead inside their homes in Dallas, the latest victims of the intense summer heat which has now killed at least 55 people across Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.

The death toll in Dallas County alone now stands at 18, with ten of those coming since Sunday. At least two other heat-related deaths were reported Thursday in Denton County, northwest of Dallas. A heavy afternoon thunder- storm brought some welcome relief to residents near Fort Worth, but it quickly fizzled out and Dallas suffered its 11th straight day of triple- digit temperatures Thursday as thermometers rose to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Weather forecasters said they saw no quick end to the heat wave and that it might get even worse at the end of the month. Dallas authorities this week declared a public health crisis and an aptly named "hot-line" set up to offer emergency help has been swamped with hundreds of calls from residents stuck at home without air-conditioning units.

Private charities have shipped thousands of fans to the city and hundreds of elderly residents again took refuge Thursday in air-conditioned public buildings and charity centers that have been opened up as "cooling shelters."

While Dallas has been hardest hit, the heat has also claimed about a dozen lives elsewhere in Texas. Health officials in Louisiana blame it for at least 20 deaths there this summer and at least six people have died in Oklahoma. Most of those killed have been elderly, suffered from heart disease or other serious illness and did not have working air conditioning units at home.

Weather experts say this year's summer is unusually hot because extremely low rainfall during the spring means there is little surface moisture to keep the ground cool.

Jeff Raberding of the National Weather Service in Fort Worth said, "It looks like there's no end to it until at least Monday." He added that mid-range forecasts suggested it might get even worse at the end of July. He said, "There is a possibility that we may return to that extreme heat of 110 degrees or so, but that's still quite far out so it's too early to tell for sure."

Excerpted from: ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT-EmergencyNet NEWS Service-Saturday, July 18, 1998-Vol. 2 - 199

ERRI MORNING NEWS SUMMARY

DALLAS (EmergencyNet News) - The heat wave blamed for killing more than 60 people across the South and Southwest over the past two months has exacted a terrible, if quieter, toll on illegal immigrants. At least 40 have died. The U.S. Border Patrol -- which is urging undocumented immigrants to stay away specifically because of the heat -- said it is distributing a video to Mexican TV stations with footage of those who attempted to cross the border but died in the hot weather. The mercury topped 100 degrees (F) for the 12th consecutive day in parts of Texas. The record-breaking heat was expected to last through the weekend.

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ESR CLOSE UP

DEATH TOLL FROM KILLER HEAT WAVE INCREASES TO 60
By Amy Grant, ERRI Medical Analyst

DALLAS (EmergencyNet News) - The heat wave blamed for killing more than 60 people across the South and Southwest over the past two months has exacted a terrible, if quieter, toll on illegal immigrants. At least 40 are said to have have died.

Ray Garza, an assistant chief with the U.S. Border Patrol in McAllen, Texas, said, "Our efforts have averted many tragedies. We are warning all individuals who attempt to traverse through the brush to reconsider, to realize the dangers of such a venture."

The Border Patrol is urging illegal immigrants to stay away specifically because of the heat. On Friday, the Border Patrol began distributing a video to Mexican TV stations with footage of those who attempted to cross the border but died in the hot weather.

The message flashed at the end of the commercial is: "Mantente Fuera, Mantente Vivo" -- "Keep Out, Keep Alive."

The grim news came as the mercury topped 100 degrees (F) for the 12th consecutive day in parts of Texas. The heat is blamed for at least 35 deaths across the state. Elsewhere, at least 20 people have died in Louisiana, six in Oklahoma and one each in California and Arizona since mid-May. Three soldiers were hospitalized for heat exhaustion suffered on a 12-mile march at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on Thursday. One was in critical condition.

The record-breaking heat was expected to last through the weekend as temperatures were expected to reach into the 100s, breaking decades-old records in some spots. The National Weather Service provided little reason for optimism, though storms cooled things off in parts of Arizona early Friday.

Weather forecaster Skip Ely in Fort Worth said Texas, at least, couldn't expect a break. He said, "Overall, the rest of the summer is going to remain hot. I don't see any relief until September."

On Friday, it was hot all over. It reached 103 degrees (F) in Simi Valley, California, beating the previous high of 99 set in 1979. The 1925 record of 97 degrees (F) in downtown Los Angeles was broken when it reached 98. A scorching 118 degrees (F) was reported in Baker, California.

Excerpted from: ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT-EmergencyNet NEWS Service-Sunday, July 19, 1998-Vol. 2 - 200

ERRI MORNING NEWS SUMMARY

ADDISON, TEXAS (EmergencyNet News) - Temperatures again climbed into the triple digits on Saturday across the South and Southwest in a heat wave blamed for 108 deaths -- and there is little relief in sight. Temperatures are likely to hit 100 or more through at least Wednesday. Along the Texas border, it was 106 degrees (F) in Del Rio and 101 in McAllen by early Saturday afternoon. Elsewhere in the heat belt, the mercury climbed to 105 degrees (F) in Chadron, Nebraska; 104 in McAlester, Oklahoma; 109 degrees (F) in Palmdale, California; and 110 in Phoenix.

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DISASTER NEWS

UNITED STATES

ADDISON, TEXAS (EmergencyNet News) - Temperatures reached into the triple digits again on Saturday in a large portion of the U.S. The heat has been blamed for at least 108 deaths since May, with 79 in Texas. Of those, 43 were illegal aliens from Mexico trying to cross open desert and range land into the United States.

In addition to the Texas deaths, at least 20 people have died of heat- related causes in Louisiana, six in Oklahoma and one each in California, Arizona and Missouri since mid-May.

Highs on Saturday topped 100 degrees (F) in northern Texas for the 13th straight day. Along the border, it was 106 in Del Rio and 101 degrees (F) in McAllen by early afternoon. There is little relief in sight as temperatures are likely to hit 100 or more through at least Wednesday.

It remained hot elsewhere in the heat belt. Temperatures climbed to 105 degrees (F) in Chadron, Nebraska; 104 in McAlester, Oklahoma; 109 degrees (F) in Plamdale, California; and 110 in Phoenix. The heat started early in places like Lake Havasu City in western Arizona, where it was 99 degrees (F) by 0900 MDT.

Excerpted from: ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT-EmergencyNet NEWS Service-Tuesday, July 21, 1998-Vol. 2 - 202

DISASTER NEWS

UNITED STATES

HEAT WAVE SPREADS ACROSS MUCH OF THE UNITED STATES
From the ERRI Watch Center

DALLAS (EmergencyNet News) - According to weather forecasters, there's no end in sight for the merciless heat wave gripping the South and other parts of the United States. Much of the nation was feeling the heat, but the area hardest hit was a narrow band stretching from South Dakota south into Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

No relief was in sight for the remainder of this week. The heat has sent the death toll above 110. Temperatures soared above 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the 15th straight day in Dallas on Monday, and health officials said two more elderly residents had died from the heat.

An 83-year-old woman and a 67-year-old man were found dead inside their homes. Like most victims, they had heart disease and no air conditioning. Their deaths took the number of heat victims to 22 for Dallas County, 81 for all of Texas and more than 110 nationwide.

A team of 12 sheriff's deputies handed out hundreds of free electric fans in poor neighborhoods on the outskirts of Dallas, and private charities installed air conditioning units in inner-city homes on Monday.

In south Texas, authorities were most concerned with helping illegal immigrants in the desert and vast open ranges as they trekked across the border. Forty-three immigrants crossing into Texas have died during the heat wave. U.S. Border Patrol agents are carrying extra water, ice packs and first aid kits to help any immigrants suffering from hyperthermia or exhaustion, and they are searching for them on freight trains and in trucks as they make their way inland.

A Border Patrol spokesman said, "We don't care that they are illegal aliens and they may be breaking the law. This is a life-death situation and we w ant to save their lives."

Dozens of immigrants were arrested Monday at the Border Patrol checkpoint in Falfurrias, about 80 miles inland from the border. They were disappointed that they would be deported to Mexico, but some conceded they were lucky to be alive. The combination of intense heat and low rainfall has dried up creeks where immigrants would normally get water. The bodies of fallen immigrants have been found in desolate areas many miles from the nearest town or ranch.

The heat spread north into Colorado on Monday, with temperatures of 96 degrees (F) at Denver International Airport. City officials appealed to residents and businesses to turn off their air conditioners, dim their lights and cook on outdoor barbecues as heavy demand strained the local electric utility.

Excerpted from: ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT-EmergencyNet NEWS Service-Wednesday, July 22, 1998-Vol. 2 - 203

DALLAS (EmergencyNet News) - Much of the United States remains in the grip of a deadly heat wave. Forecasters say Dallas is expected to suffer through a 17th straight day of temperatures above 100 degrees (F) on Wednesday. Temperatures have soared across much of the country, even in New England. The death toll from the heat wave has risen above 120. Authorities say those most at risk are elderly people who live in homes without air conditioning.

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HEAT CLAIMS MORE VICTIMS IN THE SOUTHERN U.S
By Amy Grant, ERRI Medical Analyst

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA (EmergencyNet News) - The death toll from a killer heat wave across the U.S. South rose above 120 by early Wednesday as more elderly people died inside sweltering homes. Oklahoma medical authorities said late Tuesday that a 78-year-old woman was found dead at her home in the city of Duncan. Her air conditioner was on but not blowing cold air.

A 51-year-old woman died in her home in the small southern Oklahoma town of Wewoka. She had no air conditioning. Earlier on Tuesday, officials in Dallas said the body of 76-year-old man was discovered by his step-daughter on Monday and they concluded his death was also heat-related.

Dallas County has now registered at least 23 deaths since 1 June, including 15 victims in the last ten days. At least 82 people have died in Texas, including more than 40 illegal immigrants who trekked across the border from Mexico and perished in the desert and open scrubland of south Texas.

The heat wave has also been blamed for at least 24 deaths in Louisiana and another 13 in Oklahoma. Other deaths have been reported in California and Missouri.

Dallas and the rest of north Texas suffered a 16th straight day of triple- digit temperatures on Tuesday and meteorologists said they expect the intense heat to continue at least through this week and possibly into August. The heat wave has sent temperatures soaring across much of the country and on Tuesday spread northeast as far as Washington and New York and into New England.

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