–227 Blanchard tally (CDC count of 226 & NCDC note of Montgomery Co. GA June 4 death.)

–226 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).[1]

— 12 June 2-7. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 27, No. 6, June 1985, p. 5.)

Summary of State Breakouts noted below:

Alabama (22)

Arizona (21)

Arkansas ( 9)

California (29)

Colorado ( 2)

Connecticut ( 1)

Florida (12)

Georgia (26)

Illinois ( 3)

Indiana ( 7)

Iowa ( 2)

Kansas ( 3)

Kentucky ( 4)

Louisiana ( 3)

Maryland ( 1)

Massachusetts ( 1)

Michigan ( 2)

Minnesota ( 1)

Mississippi ( 9)

Nebraska ( 1)

Nevada ( 9)

New Hampshire ( 2)

New Jersey ( 2)

North Carolina ( 3)

Ohio ( 1)

Oklahoma (11)

Oregon ( 3)

Pennsylvania ( 2)

South Carolina ( 3)

Tennessee ( 1)

Texas (17)

Virginia ( 6)

Washington ( 3)

Wisconsin ( 2)

Breakout By State and Locality (where noted):

Alabama (22)

–22 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Autauga County. Male, 20-24.

–1 Barbour County. Male, 55-64.

–3 Dallas County. Male, 15-19 and two females, 85+.

–1 Escambia County. Female, 75-84.

–1 Fayette County. Male, 55-64.

–1 Hale County. Male, 35-44.

–4 Jefferson County. Females, 45-54 and 75-84; males, 35-44 and 75-84.

–3 Mobile County. Female, 85+, and two males, 65-75.

–3 Montgomery County. Males, 55-64, 75-84 and 85+.

–1 Perry County. Male, 55-64.

–1 Pickens County. Female, 65-74.

–1 Pike County. Female, 75-84.

–1 Russell County. Male, 65-84.

— 5 June 2-7. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 27, No. 6, June 1985, p. 6.

–1 Autauga County. Young man playing in ball game; heat related heart attack.

–4 Birmingham, Jefferson County. Couple, 83 years-old each, and females, 53 and 73.

Arizona (21)

— 21 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

— 1 Apache County. Male, 25-34.

— 4 Maricopa County. Females, 55-64 and 75-84; two males, 55-64.

— 2 Mohave County. Males, 25-34 and 55-64.

— 1 Pima County. Male, 85+.

— 3 Pinal County. Female, 65-74; males, 35-44 and 55-64.

–10 Yuma County. Females, 20-24 and 25-34; males 20-24, 45-54 and not stated (6).

Arkansas ( 9)

— 9 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Conway County. Female, 75-84.

–1 Crawford County. Male, 85+.

–1 Crittenden County. Female, 55-64.

–2 Jefferson County. Males, 5-9 and 75-84.

–1 Lonoke County. Male, 55-64.

–1 Pulaski County. Female, 65-74.

–2 Washington County. Two males, 85+.

California (29)

— 29 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

— 1 Alameda County. Male, 35-44.

— 1 Contra Costa County. Female, 1-4.

— 2 Fresno County. Males, 25-34 and 75-84.

— 2 Imperial County. Males, age not noted.

–12 Los Angeles County.

Females, 20-24 (2), 25-34, 35-44 (2), 75-84; males 25-34 (3), 35-44 (2), 75-84

— 1 Orange County. Male, 25-34.

— 4 Riverside County. Males, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54 and 55-64.

— 2 San Bernardino County. Female, 65-74 and male, 75-84.

— 1 San Diego County. Male, 55-64.

— 1 Santa Barbara County. Female, 85+.

— 1 Santa Cruz County. Male, 85+.

— 1 Ventura County. Male, 20-24.

Colorado ( 2)

— 2 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Lake County. Female, 25-34.

–1 Pueblo County. Female, 55-64.

Connecticut ( 1)

— 1 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Hartford County. Male, 55-64.

Florida (12)

–12 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

— 8 Lushine. Figure 3, “Annual Temperature Deaths, Florida, 1979-1999.”[2]

–1 Broward County. Male, 25-34.

–1 Columbia County. Female, 65-74.

–3 Duval County. Females, 35-44 and 65-74; male, 65-74.

–1 Hillsborough County. Female, 45-54.

–2 Miami-Dade County. Female, 75-84 and male, 35-44.

–1 Orange County. Female, 55-64.

–1 Osceola County. Female, 85+.

–1 Pasco County. Female, <1.

–1 Pinellas County. Male, 75-84.

–2 Polk County. Males, 65-74.

–1 Volusia County. Male, 35.44.

Georgia (26)

–26 Blanchard tally. CDC count of 25 plus NCDC note of Montgomery Co. death on June 4.

–25 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–2 Bibb County. Females, 65-74 and 75-84.

–1 Calhoun County. Male, 45-54.

–1 Clayton County. Male, 25-34

–1 Columbia County. Male, 65-74.

–1 Coweta County. Male, 75-84.

–2 DeKalb County. Males, 45-54 and 55-64.

–1 Dougherty County. Male, 65-74.

–1 Fulton County. Male, 45-54.

–1 Gilmer County. Male, 45-54.

–1 Henry County. Male, 35-44.

–1 Houston County. Male, 25-34.

–1 Jeff Davis County. Male, 75-84.

–1 Mitchell County. Male, 5-9.

–2 Muscogee County. Female, 75-84 and male, 55-64.

–2 Peach County. Female, 85+ and male 55-64.

–1 Richmond County. Male, 75-84.

–1 Spalding County. Female, 45-54.

–2 Terrell County. Female, 55-64 and male, 85+.

–1 Tift County. Female, 75-84.

–1 Wilkinson County. Male, 20-24.

— 6 June 1-7. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 27, No. 6, June 1985, p. 9.

–1 Henry County. June 6. Male, 40.

–1 Montgomery County. June 4. Male, 64.

–1 Muscogee County. June 4. Female, 75.

–1 Muscogee County. June 6. Male, 59.

–1 Peach County. June 6. Female, 76.

–1 Peach County. June 7. Female, 98.

Illinois ( 3)

— 3 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–2 Cook County. Males, 10-14 and 25-34.

–1 St. Clair County. Male, 75-84.

Indiana ( 7)

— 7 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Howard County. Female, 75-84.

–3 Marion County. Female, 45-54; males, <1 year and 85+.

–2 St. Joseph Co. Female, 65-74 and male 65-74.

–1 Wayne County. Female, 65-74.

Iowa ( 2)

— 2 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Scott County. Male, 25-34.

–1 Wright County. Female, 75-84.

Kansas ( 3)

— 3 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Harper County. Male, 65-74.

–2 Shawnee County. Males, 55-64 and 75-84.

Kentucky ( 4)

— 4 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Christian County. Male, 20-24.

–1 Graves County. Male, 75-84.

–1 Hardin County. Male, 1-4.

–1 Jefferson County. Male, 35-44.

Louisiana ( 3)

— 3 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Lafayette Parish. Male, 25-34.

–1 Orleans Parish. Male, 55-64.

–1 Ouachita Parish. Male, 45-54.

Maryland ( 1)

— 1 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Allegany County. Female, 1-4.

Massachusetts ( 1)

— 1 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Suffolk County. Male, 65-74.

Michigan ( 2)

— 2 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Kalamazoo Co. Male, 20-24.

–1 Monroe County. Female, 85+.

Minnesota ( 1)

— 1 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Morrison Co. Male, 75-84.

Mississippi ( 9)

— 9 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Adams County. Male, 25-34.

–1 Coahoma Co. Female, 85+.

–1 Forrest County. Male, 45-54.

–1 Harrison County. Male, 45-54.

–1 Jackson County. Female, <1 year old.

–1 Jasper County. Male, 25-34.

–2 Jones County. Female, 75-84 and male, 65-74.

–1 Panola County. Female, 65-74.

— 1 Jones County, Laurel, June 1-7. Elderly male. NCDC. Storm Data, 27/6, June 1985, p. 21.

Nebraska ( 1)

— 1 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Lancaster Co. Female, 65-74.

Nevada ( 9)

— 9 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–9 Clark Co. Females, 35-44, 45-54; males, 25-34 (2), 45-54 (2), 65-74, 75-84 (2)

New Hampshire ( 2)

— 2 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–2 Carroll County. Females, 85+.

New Jersey ( 2)

— 2 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Hunterdon Co. Female, 65-74.

–1 Morris County. Male, 75-84.

North Carolina ( 3)

— 3 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

— 2 Mirabelli and Richardson. Figure 1.

–1 Durham County. Female, 55-64.

–1 Guilford County. Male, 45-54.

–1 New Hanover Co. Female, 85+.

Ohio ( 1)

— 1 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Morrow County. Male, 25-34.

Oklahoma (11)

— 11 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Beckham Co. Male, 65-74.

–1 Creek County. Male, 55-64.

–1 Greer County. Female, 55-64.

–1 Jackson County. Female, 65-74.

–2 Kay County. Males, 35-44 and 55-64.

–1 Latimer County. Male, 55-64.

–1 McCurtain Co. Male, 55-64.

–2 Oklahoma Co. Females, 75-84.

–1 Tulsa County. Male, 65-74.

Oregon ( 3)

— 3 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Clackamas Co. Female, 45-54.

–2 Umatilla County. Female, 55-64 and male, 65-74.

Pennsylvania ( 2)

— 2 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 McKean County. Male, 15-19.

–1 Somerset County. Male, 75-84.

South Carolina ( 3)

— 3 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Bamberg County. Male, 55-64.

–1 Greenville Co. Male, 35-44.

–1 Lexington Co. Female, 55-64.

Tennessee ( 1)

— 1 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Hamilton Co. Female, 65-74.

Texas (17)

— 17 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Anderson Co. Male, 65-74.

–1 Caldwell County. Male, 75-84.

–1 Collin County. Female, 45-54.

–1 El Paso County. Male, 55-64.

–4 Harris County. Female, 75-84 and males 25-34 (2), and 35-44.

–1 Kaufman County. Female, 85+.

–1 McLennan Co. Male, 85+.

–1 Pecos County. Female, 75-84.

–1 Reeves County. Male, 75-84.

–1 Tarrant County. Female, 1-4.

–1 Trinity County. Male, 75-84.

–1 Upshur County. Male, 35-44.

–1 Wharton County. Male, 35-44.

–1 Wilbarger Co. Male, 55-64.

Virginia ( 6)

— 6 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Dinwiddie Co. Male, 45-54.

–1 Gloucester Co. Female, 75-84.

–1 Lynchburg city. Female, 55-64.

–1 Prince William Co. Male, 25-34.

–1 Richmond city. Male, 45-54.

–1 Roanoke city. Female, 65-74.

Washington ( 3)

— 3 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–1 Mason County. Female, 75-84.

–1 Thurston County. Female, 55-64.

–1 Whitman County. Male, 55-64.

Wisconsin ( 2)

— 2 CDC WONDER. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900, Excessive heat).

–2 Milwaukee County. Female, 75-84 and male, 20-24.

Narrative Information

NCDC: “Heatwave in the Southeast on June 2-7, 1985. A stationary ridge over the Southeastern U.S. brought unusually high temperatures for June to the area during the first week of the month. Most stations recorded daily highs in the upper 90s and lower 100s during the period, and many new records were set. The heat, combined with the humidity, resulted in numerous cases of heat-related illnesses and at least 12 deaths. Relief from the heat finally came on the 7^th in the form of severe thunderstorms as a frontal system moved through.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 27, No. 6, June 1985, p. 5.)

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 (ICD-9, E900 (Excessive heat – Hyperthermia search). CDC WONDER On-line Database, compiled from Compressed Mortality File CMF 1968-1988, Series 20, No. 2A, 2000 and CMF 1989-1998, Series 20, No. 2E, 2003. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/cmf-icd9.html on Jan 24, 2017 4:54:51 PM

Lushine, James B. “Underreporting of Heat and Cold Related Deaths in Florida.” Miami, FL: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, NOAA. 1-6-2009 modification. Accessed 11-1-2015 at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/?n=fla_weather_casualties

Mirabelli, Maria C. and David B. Richardson. “Heat-Related Fatalities in North Carolina.” American Journal of Public Health, vol. 95, no. 4, April 2005, pp. 635-637. Accessed 9-2-2015 at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1449233/

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 27, No. 6, June 1985. Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA. Accessed 1-24-2017 at: https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-125DF543-EFFA-4943-8D15-075803EA56BE.pdf

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 27, No. 7, July 1985. Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA. Accessed 1-24-2017 at: https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-06FFD818-3523-46CE-88BA-3BE533C5FE3E.pdf

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 27, No. 8, August 1985. Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA. Accessed 1-24-2017 at: https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-C9BE5C07-24A6-4533-BC5D-A8CABC5B4359.pdf

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 27, No. 9, September 1985. Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA. Accessed 1-24-2017 at: https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-DBAC6527-D398-4AF3-9CAA-01A088D1FD49.pdf

[1] CDC WONDER stands for: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Wide-ranging OnLine Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER). It is an internet system open to the public at large.

[2] Figure 3 is a chart which shows heat deaths in one color and cold deaths in another on the same horizontal bar for each year. The fatality range shown on the left of the chart is in increments of five, going up to thirty. The bars for each year are shown diagonally and do not show any numbers. This does not make them readily readable. Thus one has to measure with a ruler the bar showing the lowest combined deaths (1979), which appears to show one cold death and one heat death. With the unit of measurement of one death then measured against the heat portion of all the other bars, one can get an approximation of the heat deaths for each year. I say “approximate” in that by this method we counted 133 heat deaths over the 21-year period included in the graph, whereas the text of the article notes that there were 125. Repetitious measurement attempts gave us the same result. The article notes that the data came from death certificates collected by the Public Health Statistics Section, Office of Vital Statistics, Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services.

1985 — Summer Heat, ICD-9 E900 (Excessive Heat/hyperthermia), esp. CA/29; GA/26–227