2011 – Excessive natural heat, esp. TX/183 AZ/177 PA/57 MO/52 IL/50 NY/45 OK/44 –1,060
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 2-22-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–1,060 Blanchard tabulation from State breakouts below.[1]
–1,009 Hurt, Alyson (NPR), citing National Center for Health Statistics, in Huang, 8-26-2023.
— 996 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, Census Region and T67 heat and light code.
–125 Northeast –459 South
–211 Midwest –201 West
— 993 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, HHS Region, T67 heat and light code search.
— 65 HHS Region #2 NJ, NY
–123 HHS Region #3 DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV
–124 HHS Region #4 AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN
–112 HHS Region #5 IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI
–274 HHS Region #6 AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
— 95 HHS Region #7 IA, KS, MO, NE
— 19 HHS Region #8 CO, MT, ND, SD, UT
–171 HHS Region #9 AZ, CA, HI, NV
— 10 HHS Region #10 AK, IS, OR, WA
— 936 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat and light code search.
— 929 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, Census Region and X30 excessive natural heat.
–118 Northeast –435 South
–202 Midwest –174 West
— 916 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, Census Region, T67 & X30 codes search.
–117 Northeast –427 South
–199 Midwest –173 West
— 868 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and X30 excessive natural heat code.
— 587 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of death, States, X30 (excessive natural heat) search
— 206 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
— 68 Nation, Summer, by Aug 3. Foxnews.com. “Feeling Hot? Take This.” 8-5-2011.
— 33 Nation, children in vehicles. KidsAndCars.org. “Heat Stroke.” 2015.
ICDC Codes used in CDC Wonder Online Database used above and below: We use the T67 and X30 codes described below. We use them independently in the “Census Region,” “HHS Region” and “State” locations in the search page. There are two “boxes” to search – ?Underlying Cause of Death” and “Multiple Causes of Death” – the higher numbers are to be found when using the Multiple Causes of Death option for “Census Region.”)
T67 Effects of heat and light
T67.0 (Heatstroke and sunstroke);
T67.1 (Heat syncope); heat syncope [fainting]; factors include dehydration and lack of acclimatization.
T67.2 (Heat cramp);
T67.3 (Heat exhaustion, anhydrotic); [Note: T67 codes are in the class of “multiple
T67.4 (Heat exhaustion due to salt depletion); cause of death,” meaning, usually, that heat
T67.5 (Heat exhaustion, unspecified); contributed to or combined with another
T67.6 (Heat fatigue, transient); cause of death – such as a heart condition.]
T67.7 (Heat oedema);
T67.8 (Other effects of heat and light);
T67.9 (Effect of heat and light, unspecified)
X30 Exposure to excessive natural heat; hyperthermia. [Underlying (or primary) cause of death.]
Summary of State Breakouts
Alabama 11 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Arizona 229 AZ DPHS. “Heat-Caused & Heat-Related Deaths…(2011-2021).”
Arkansas 24 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
California 31 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
District of Columbia 13 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Florida 17 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Georgia 14 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Illinois 50 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Indiana 21 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Kansas 37 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Kentucky 17 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Louisiana 18 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Maryland 35 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Massachusetts 1 Metro.US. “Gabriel Pierre: No Charges yet in child’s death.” 9-13-2011.
Michigan 11 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Minnesota 3 MN Health Dept. Heat-related Deaths: Facts & Figures, 2000-2013.
Mississippi 21 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Missouri 52 NWS CRH, Kansas City, MO. Summer Weather Safety. “[MO] Heat…”[2]
Montana 1 Null, Jan. 2011 Hyperthermia Deaths of Children in Vehicles.
Nevada 22 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
New Jersey 20 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
New York 45 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
North Carolina 14 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Ohio 15 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Oklahoma 44 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Pennsylvania 57 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
South Carolina 10 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Tennessee 20 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Texas 183 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Vermont 1 NWS, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
Virginia 12 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
West Virginia 1 OSHA, Dept. of Labor. Inspection Detail…Eqt Corporation. 5-31-2011.
Wisconsin 10 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
Total 1,060
Detailed State Breakout
Alabama ( 11)
–11 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
— 5 Gadsden Times, AL. “Heat Blamed in Five Alabama Deaths Since May.” 7-14-2011.
— 1 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
— 1 Dothan, June 28. Shawn Michael Aldridge, 4; wandered away and into car, 5-6 hours.[3]
— 1 Lawrence County, Town Creek farm, July 13 (July 11 heat stroke). Male, 42, outside.[4]
Arizona (229)
–229 Blanchard. Use AZ accept for Maricopa Co., where we use Maricopa Co., DPH number.[5]
–177 Arizona Dept. Health Services. “Heat-Caused & Heat-Related Deaths…(2011-2021).”
–123 Heat-Caused Deaths
— 54 Heat-Related Deaths
–54 Maricopa County
–49 Pima County
— 6 Pinal County
–177 KJZZ 91.5, AZ. “Big Drop in Arizona Heat-Related Deaths in 2014.” 5-8-2015.[6]
–118 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–107 ABC15.com (C. Rangel). “Maricopa County sees spike in heat deaths.” 7-10-2012.[7]
— 58 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 3 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
Arizona breakouts by locality:
–106 Maricopa Co. Dept. Public Health. Heat-Associated Deaths in Maricopa… Feb 2004, 6.[8]
–106 Maricopa Co. Dept. Public Health (Berisha). Impact of Extreme Heat…Maricopa County.[9]
— 43 Maricopa Co. CDC Wonder. ICD-10 X30 search (exposure to excessive natural heat).
–14 Female
–29 Male
— 3 Maricopa Co., May-June. Arizona Republic. “Maricopa County health…” 6-25-2011.
— 1 Maricopa Co., Glendale, Aug 25 (found). Male, 75, at home; air conditioner blowing hot air.[10]
— 1 Maricopa Co., Surprise, Aug 24 (found). Female, 70; home; air conditioner failed; 107°.[11]
— 1 South Mountain Preserve, greater Phoenix, Sep 11. Heatstroke/dehydration; Male hiker, 31.[12]
Arkansas ( 24)
–24 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–17 Arkansas Department of Health. Beat the Heat. 2011.[13]
–17 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 1 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
— 1 Times Dispatch, Lawrence Co., Ark. “Heat Wave Causes Dangerous…” 8-3-2011.[14]
Arkansas Breakouts by Locality:
— 1 Benton Co., Rogers, July 16. Heat Exhaustion; new masonry construction worker. [15]
— 1 Clark Co., Gurdon, Aug 9. Maxpreps. “Another Death on Gridiron…Sophomore…” 8-10-2011.
— 1 Monroe County, Clarendon, July 25. Heat exhaustion; sawmill worker, body temp. 108°.[16]
— 1 St Francis County, July 27-28. Male, 30, outside; heat index values 105-109 degrees.[17]
California ( 31)
–31 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–22 CA Dept. of Public Health. “Table 5. Heat-related deaths, 2000-2011 (Crude Rates).”
–19 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of Death. X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 2 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
–2 Joshua Tree National Park, Aug 22. Exposure, foreign tourists; female, 38, male 44.[18]
— 1 Blythe, July 7. Heat-related illness/heat exhaustion,[19] male farm laborer, 47, 102° heat.[20]
— 1? Imperial County, Apr 7. Farm-worker, 56, breaking corn, 84-degree heat.[21]
— 1 Nipomo, Oct 12. Heat exhaustion; new remediation services general laborer.[22]
— 1 Rancho Mirage, Aug 23. Worker “resurfacing road collapsed…possibly due to heat stress.”[23]
— 1 West Sacramento, Sep 23. Field laborer.[24] “From heat issues or heat stroke.”[25]
— 4? State, June. Drilling crew floorman, police officer, temporary laborer, grading foreman.[26]
District of Columbia ( 13)
–13 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
— 4 July 24-30. Washington Examiner. “Heat Killed 7 Last Week in Wash. Area.” 8-4-2011.
Florida ( 17)
–17 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–16 Gorucu. “Natural Heat-Related Deaths In Florida: 2010-2020.” Univ. of FL, IFAS Ext.
–14 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
Breakout of Florida heat deaths by locality where noted.
— 1 Cape Coral, July 31. Marquel Clark, 14 months, left in hot car by parents.[27]
— 1 Davie, Jan 13. Heat stroke; Police Officer Rogerio Rene Morales, SWAT team tryout.[28]
— 1 Homestead, July 12. Dominicue Andrews, 22-months, apparently left in day care center van.[29]
— 1? Miramar, July 26. Isaiah Laurencin, 16; during high school football practice.[30]
— 1 ~O’Leno State Park, Aug 2. High School football lineman, D. J. Searcy, at football camp.[31]
— 1? Plant City, April 21. Farm laborer picking strawberries collapsed. “Possible heat stress…”[32]
Georgia ( 14)
–14 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
— 1 Jonesboro, June 20. Jazmin Green, 2-years; left in van nearly 3 hours by day care owners.[33]
— 1 Kennesaw, May 25. Girl, 5-months, forgotten and left in vehicle for five hours by cousin.[34]
— 1 Locust Grove, Aug 2. Heatstroke; high school lineman Forrest Jones, 16, during football practice.[35]
— 1 Warner Robbins, July 31. Andrew Leighlan Calloway, 3, left in vehicle by care-giver, 95° outside.[36]
Illinois ( 50)
— 50 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–34-35 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
— 33 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
— 23 CDC Wonder/ Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
Illinois Breakouts by Locality:
— 1 Adams Co., Quincy, July 17-28. Female, 90, home without air conditioning, windows closed.[37]
–21 Cook County. Blanchard tally based on locality and/or date breakouts below.
–20 Cook County. Chicago Tribune. “2 Additional Cook County Deaths…Heat.” 8-4-2011.
–1 Matteson, May 30. Male, 85, found unresponsive in his home.[38]
–1 July 17-26. Female, 50, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 July 17-26. Female, 78, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 July 17-26. Female, 86, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 July 17-26. Female, 87, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 July 17-26. Female, 87, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.[39]
–1 July 17-26. Male, 47, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 July 17-26. Male, 58, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 July 17-26. Male, 59, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 July 17-26. Male, 60, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 July 17-26. Male, 67, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 July 17-26. Male, 68, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 July 17-26. Male, 70, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 July 17-26. Male, 83, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 July 17-26. Male, 84, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 July 17-26. Male, 88, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 July 17-26. Male, 93, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 Aug 1-3, Female, 67, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 Aug 103, Male, 62, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.
–1 Chicago, Aug 3. Male (Charles Redmon), 56, at home. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, IL.[40]
–1 Chicago, Aug 3. Heatstroke. Male (Ernest Crossley), 45, at home.[41]
— 1 Crawford County, July 24, Male, 49, dehydration from prolonged exposure to high heat.[42]
— 1 Madison County, Alton, Aug 3. Male (Jerry Besterfeldt), 63, at home.[43]
— 1 Madison County, Collinsville, July 25. Female, 79, at home; heat index 105-115°.[44]
— 1 Madison County, Granite City, July 10. Male, 51, in mobile/trailer home.[45]
— 1 Madison County, Madison, July 27. Male, 74, permanent home; heat index 105-115°.[46]
— 1? McDonough Co., Macomb, May 11. Air conditioning repair work heart attack, “possibly heat-related.”[47]
— 1 McLean County, Bloomington, June 7. Female, 59, un-air conditioned home.[48]
— 1 Morgan County, Chapin, ~July 20. Female, 75, at home, 100°, with no air conditioning.[49]
— 1 Richland County, Noble, June 8. Hyperthermia; male, 19 mo., un-air-conditioned room.[50]
— 1 St. Clair County, July 10-12. Male, 78, outside; heat index 110-115°.[51]
— 1 St. Clair Co., Belleville, July 20. Heat-related heart attack; Kevin Miller, 51; found on front porch.[52]
— 1 St. Clair Co., East St. Louis, July 20. Willie Gill, 72; heat-stroke; found outside his home.[53]
— 1 St. Clair Co., O’Fallon, July 8. News-Democrat, Belleville, IL. “Heat Deaths…” 7-22-2011.
Indiana (21)
–21 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–11 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
Breakout of Indiana heat fatalities by locality where noted:
–1 Columbus, July 21. Theindychannel.com. “Coroner: Heat Involved…Death…” 7-25-2011.
–1 Crawfordsville, Sep 11. Heatstroke; Vienna Johnson, 5-months; left in van by parents at home.[54]
–2 Indianapolis, ~July 23. 14WFIE.com. “Two Heat-related Deaths…in Indy.” 7-25-2011.
–2 New Carlisle, June 17. Dominik Wilk, 4, and Issac Dunner, 2; got into car trunk.[55]
Kansas (37)
–37 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–25 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
–23 AP. “Heat deaths totaled 62 in Ks., Missouri.” CJOnline.com, 10-20-2011.[56]
— 6 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
— 1 Butler Co., Rose Hill, May 9. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, KS, Butler.[57]
— 1 Butler County, July 18. Male, 65, overcome by heat while working on a lawn mower.[58]
— 1 Reno County, Hutchinson, July 14. Male, 73, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database.
— 1 Reno County, Hutchinson, July 16. Male, 63, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database.
— 1 Reno County, Hutchinson. July 20. Male, 76, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database.[59]
— 1 Sumner County, near Oxford, July 15-31. Male, 47, riding bicycle in triple digit heat.[60]
Kentucky ( 17)
–17 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
— 1 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
— 1? Glasgow, July 19. Worker changing tractor tire, “possible heat stress fatality.”[61]
— 1 Louisville, July 21. Digital Journal. “US Heat Wave Deaths Climb to 24…” 7-23-2011.
— 1 Lyndon, May 21. Kenton Brown, 2-years, left in car several hours by mother on drugs.[62]
Louisiana ( 18)
–18 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–16 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
–10 State. Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 8 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
— 1 Bossier City, Bossier Parish, June 20. Heat-related; female, 80, mobile/trailer home.[63]
— 1 Bossier City, Bossier Parish, July 12. Female, 57, left for an hour outside nursing home.[64]
— 1 Bossier Parish, Aug 2. Male, 59, mowing lawn “collapsed and later died from the heat.”[65]
— 1 Bossier Parish, Elm Grove vic., Aug 3. Male, in un-air-conditioned home.[66]
— 1 Bossier Parish, Haughton, found Aug 4. Male, 72, in home; house temperature 106°.[67]
— 1 Bossier Parish, Aug 7. Female, 70s, at home. NCDC Storm Events Database, LA, Bossier.
— 1 New Orleans, May 31. Winston White Hays, 3; left in locked hot car 8 hrs. by godmother.[68]
— 2 Ouachita Parish, Aug 16. Female, 75, and disabled son, at home, no air conditioning.[69]
— 1 Patterson, March 17. Marley LaGarde, 5-months, accidentally left in car by mother.[70]
Maryland (35)
–35 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–34 MD Dept. Health and Mental Hygiene. “Maryland’s first 2015 heat-related…” 7-16-2015.
–34 Baltimore Sun (S. Dance). “15 Md. heat-related deaths tallied this summer…” 9-17-2013.[71]
–34 Baltimore Sun (Scott Dance). “Four more died in heat, state health officials say.” 8-7-2012.[72]
–32 The Capital, MD. “32 heat-related deaths this year in Maryland.” 9-7-2011.
–25 Up to early Aug. ABC27 WHTM. “4 more heat…deaths reported in Md.” 8-10-2011.
–21 Wash. Examiner. “Heat Killed 7 Last Week in Wash. Area.” 8-4-2011.
–11 July 24-30. Wash. Examiner. “Heat Killed 7 Last Week in Wash. Area.” 8-4-2011.
–11 Washington Post. “Md. Reports 11 Heat Deaths During Heat Wave.” 8-4-2011.
— 2 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
Breakout by Maryland Localities Where Identified:
— 2 Anne Arundel Co. Jul 24-30. WMAL.com.. “Number…Heat-Related Deaths…” 8-4-2011.
— 1 Baltimore, July 22. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, MD, So. Baltimore.
— 4 “ Jul 24-30. WMAL.com, Balt. “Number of Heat-Related Deaths…” 8-4-2011.
— 4 “ Aug 2-8. Baltimore Sun. “Heat a Factor in 4 More Maryland Deaths.” 8-9-2011.
— 1 Baltimore Co., Jul 24-30. WMAL.com, Balt. “Number of Heat-Related Deaths…” 8-4-2011
— 2 Cecil Co. Jul 24-30. Cecilwhig.com. “Heat Wave Claims Cecil County Resident.” 8-5-2011
— 1 Hillcrest Heights, May 31. Jaylin Wright, 3; deliberately left in vehicle by father to die.[73]
— 1 Prince George’s County, July 22. NCDC. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, MD, PGC.
— 1 Somerset Co., July 17-23. Baltimore Sun. “Heat a Factor in Three Md. Deaths, 7-26-2011.
— 2 Wicomico Co., July 24-30. WMAL.com, Balt. “Number of Heat-Related Deaths…” 8-4-2011.
— 1 Worcester Co., Jul 24-30. WMAL.com, Balt. “Number of Heat-Related Deaths…” 8-4-2011
Massachusetts ( 1)
— 1 Boston, Sep 12. Gabriel Pierre, 17-months; driver of day-care van forgot to drop him off.[74]
Michigan ( 11)
–11 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
— 3 Michigan State Police. Michigan Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2014 update, p. 153.
— 3 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
— 1 Detroit, Wayne Co. July 21.[75] Hyperthermia; male, 60 in car with windows rolled up.[76]
— 1 Highland Twnsp., Oakland Co., July 20. Male, 37, heart cond., obesity, hyperthermia.[77]
— 1 Redford Township, Wayne County, July 21.[78] Hyperthermia; male, 57, at home.[79]
Minnesota ( 3)
— 3 MN Dept. of Health. Heat-related Deaths: Facts & Figures, 2000-2013 (webpage).[80]
— 1 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
— 1 Mendota Heights, July 18. Heat Exhaustion; landscape worker.[81]
— 1 Swift County, Benson, July 19. Male, 66, collapsed while mowing his lawn.[82]
Mississippi (21)
–21 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–14 CDC Wonder ICD-10, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat) search, 8-19-2016.
Breakout of Mississippi heat deaths by locality where noted:
–1 Biloxi, Aug 20. Sun Herald, MS. “Man’s Death…third heat…death…” 8-21-2011
–1 “ Sun Herald, MS. “Man’s Death is third heat-related death this summer.” 8-21-2011.
–1 Clarksdale, May 29. Norman Collins III, 3-months; accidentally left in car by parents at church.[83]
–1 Long Beach. Sun Herald, MS. “Man’s Death is third heat-related death…” 8-21-2011.
Missouri (52)
— 52 NWS CRH, Kansas City, MO. Summer Weather Safety. “[MO] Heat Related Deaths.”[84]
— 46 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
— 39 AP. “Heat deaths totaled 62 in Ks., Missouri.” CJOnline.com, 10-20-2011.[85]
–38-39 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.[86]
— 34 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 14 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
Breakout by Missouri Localities:
— 1 Butler County, July 10-12. Male, 57, living in camper trailer with just a fan for cooling.[87]
— 1 Howell County, July 18. Male, 37, found by Sheriff in field; heat index up to 105°.[88]
— 1? Jefferson Co., Festus, May 11. Landscaping work; “possibly from heat stress.”[89]
— 1 Joplin, Aug 1. Joplin Globe. “Joplin Death Linked to Heat.” Aug 2, 2011.
–24 Kansas City, Mid-Jun-Aug 3. Kansas City Star. “3 More Heat Deaths Suspected.” 8-3-2011.[90]
–20 Kansas City area. AP. “Heat deaths totaled 62 in Ks., Missouri.” CJOnline.com, 10-20-2011.[91]
–1 July, during Warrior Dash extreme obstacle-course event; Jeff Fink, 31.[92]
–1 July, during Warrior Dash extreme obstacle-course event; Jeremy Morris, 28.[93]
–1 July 21 report. Woman, early 80s.[94]
— 1 Ripley County, July 10-12. Heat likely a contributing factor; male, 74, home.[95]
— 1 Ripley County, July 19-24. Male, 62, living in camper with no air conditioning.[96]
–19 St. Louis area, July-Aug, STLtoday.com. “Fourth hottest…St. Louis…” 9-2-2011.
–16 St. Louis area, June 7-Aug 2. STLtoday.com. “Heat…Toll…16…St. Louis….” 8-2-2011.[97]
–13 St. Louis Co. and City. AP. “Heat deaths totaled 62 in Ks., Missouri.” CJOnline.com, 10-20-2011.[98]
–5 St Louis County.
–8 St. Louis City.
–11 “ “ CBS St. Louis. “Heat…Claims Another Victim.” 8-10-2011.[99]
–11 St. Louis City and County. Blanchard tally of breakouts below.[100]
— 7 St. Louis City, June 7-Aug 2. CBS St. Louis. “Heat…Claims…Victim.” 8-10-2011.
— 5 St. Louis County, Fox2now. St. Louis. “5th Heat…Death…St. Louis County…” 8-10-2011.
— 4 “ “ CBS St. Louis. “Heat…Claims Another Victim.” 8-10-2011.
–1 St. Louis City, June 4. Female, 52, at home. Air conditioner not turned on.[101]
–1 St. Louis City, July 13. Female, 80, permanent home during “intense Heat Wave.”[102]
–1 St. Louis City, July 17-31. Female, 75, permanent home.[103]
–1 St. Louis City, July 17-31. Female, 79, permanent home.[104]
–1 St. Louis City, July 17-31. Female, 86, permanent home.[105]
–1 St. Louis City, July 17-31. Female, 90, permanent home.[106]
–1 St. Louis City, July 17-31. Male, 57, outside..[107]
–1 “ July 20 report. Elderly woman, in home. Air conditioner not turned on.[108]
–1 St. Louis County, July 17-31. Female, 69, home; heat index of 105-110.[109]
–1 St. Louis County, July 17-31. Male, 46, home; heat index of 105-110.[110]
–1 St. Louis County, July 17-31. Male, 55, home; heat index of 105-110.[111]
–1 St. Louis City, Sep 1-3. Male, 48, vehicle/towed trailer.[112]
Montana ( 1)
— 1 Hardin, Aug 19. Jaren Blacksmith, 3; left several hours in car by foster mother, hot day.[113]
Nevada (22)
–22 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–20 Clark County, NV. Clark Co. Coroner’s Office in Las Vegas Review Journal, 6-30-2022.
–11 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 5 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
Breakout of Nevada heat-related fatalities by locality where noted:
–10 Clark County. CDC Wonder ICD-10 X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat) search.
— 1 Las Vegas Valley, July 3-7. Complications from heat exposure; male, 65, outside.[114]
— 1 Las Vegas Valley, July 3-7. Complications from heat exposure; male, 72, outside.[115]
— 1 Las Vegas Valley, July 3-7. Complications from heat exposure; female, 42, perm. structure.[116]
— 1 Las Vegas Valley, Aug 21. Complications from the heat; male, 92, permanent home.[117]
— 1 Las Vegas, Aug 23-26. Heat complications; Male, 51, permanent structure.[118]
New Jersey (20)
–20 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–10 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of Death. States, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat)
— 2 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
–1 Burlington Co., July 21-24. Male, 53, permanent home without air-conditioning.[119]
–1 Mercer County, July 21-24. Female, permanent home without air-conditioning.[120]
New York (45)
–45 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–34 CDC Wonder, Underlying Cause of Death. X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
–26 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–20 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
New York State Locality Breakout:
— 2 Erie Co., Tonawanda, July 22-23. BuffaloNews.com. “Police Blame Heat…Deaths.” 7-27-2011.
–19 NYC, July 22-25, Aug. NYT. “19 Have Died of Heat This Summer, City Says.” 9-1-2011.[121]
–3 July 22. NYT. “19 Have Died of Heat This Summer, City Says.” 9-1-2011.
–6 July 23. NYT. “19 Have Died of Heat This Summer, City Says.” 9-1-2011.
–5 July 24. NYT. “19 Have Died of Heat This Summer, City Says.” 9-1-2011.
–1 July 25. NYT. “19 Have Died of Heat This Summer, City Says.” 9-1-2011.
— 6 Bronx, July 21-23. NCDC. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, NY, Bronx.
— 1 Bronx, Aug 4. NY Post. “Three more heat deaths bring sad summer toll to 7.” 8-9-2011.
— 7 Brooklyn, July 21-23. NCDC. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, NY, Kings.
— 2 “ Aug 1. NY Post. “Three more heat deaths bring sad summer toll to 7.” 8-9-2011.
— 4 Manhattan, July 21-23. NCDC. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, NY, NYC (Manhattan)
— 2 Queens, July 21-23. NCDC. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, NY, Southern Queens.
— 1 Orange County, July 22-23. NCDC. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, NY, Orange.
— 1 Sands Point, Aug 17. “Golf club worker died from cardiac arrest due to a heat stroke.”[122]
North Carolina (14)
–14 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–10 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 4 NC DOL. “Workplace Fatal Accidents Show Slight Increase” (Press Release). 1-12-2012.
— 1 Charlotte, July 13. Heat exhaustion.[123] New roofer cleaning up debris.[124]
— 1 Coats, June 1. Worker cutting trees 100° “fell unconscious and…died from heat stroke.”[125]
— 1 Hendersonville, May 25. Hyperthermia/heat exhaustion;[126] highway paving worker.[127]
— 1 Magnolia, July 13. Heat exhaustion;[128] farm worker collecting eggs.[129]
Ohio (15)
–15 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
— 1 Akron, Sep 2. Aolani McCray, 13-months. Left in hot SUV by care-giver.[130]
Oklahoma (44) May-Sep
— 44 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
— 33 OK State Dept. Health. “Heat-related Deaths in Oklahoma, 2011.” Inj. Update. May-Sep
— 27 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 21 NewsOK. “Watonga man…21st person…heat-related illness…Oklahoma.” 9-3-2011.
— 20 NewsOK. “Wednesday…end…hottest…summer…for Oklahoma.” 8-31-2011.
— 19 NewsOK.com. “Heat Death Toll Rises to 19.” Aug 26, 2011.
— 17 KOCO.com, Oklahoma City. “Okla. Heat Deaths Up To 17.” Aug 18, 2011.
— 16 The Republic, Columbus IN. “Fallin asks Okla. lawmakers…”8-15-2011.
—>15 NewsOK.com. “More Heat in Forecast but next week could bring relief.” 8-5-2011
— 14 Fox23.com (OK). “300 Treated for Heat Related Illnesses.” July 27, 2011.
— 14 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
— 13 NewsOK. “Heat Death Toll Rises to 13 in Oklahoma.” Aug 3, 2011.
— 9 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
Oklahoma Breakout by Locality:
— 1 Blaine Co., Watonga, Aug 29. NewsOK. “Watonga man…21st person…heat…” 9-3-2011.
— 1 Caddo Co., Cyril, July 7. Preston Mayhan, 8. Apparently crawled into trunk of mother’s car.[131]
— 1 Choctaw County, Aug 1-10. NCDC. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, OK, Choctaw.
— 1 Cleveland Co., Norman, July 8. Nathan Littledeer, 3, apparently got away from babysitter, into hot car.[132]
— 1 Craig County, June 15. Male, 40, in camper trailer with no electricity; heat indices 100-105°.[133]
— 1 Garvin and Murray Co’s., Davis, Aug 23. Heat exhaustion;[134] outdoor laborer, temp. >100°.[135]
— 1 Oklahoma Co., Edmond, July 20. Plastering, drywall, insulation worker after working in heat.[136]
— 1 Pittsburg County, Aug 1-9. Male, 85, at home. NCDC, Storm Events Database, OK.
— 1 Pontotoc County, Stonewall, June 24. “Apparent heat stress;” working drilling inside oil well.[137]
— 1 Tulsa Co., June 19. Male, 25; heavy equipment/construction worker; heat index 100°.[138]
— 1 Tulsa Co., July 9-31. Female, 63, permanent home. NCDC, Storm Events Database, OK.
— 1 Tulsa Co., July 9-31. Female, 91, permanent home. NCDC, Storm Events Database, OK.
— 1 Tulsa Co., Aug 1-9. NCDC. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, OK, Tulsa.
— 1 Washington Co. Aug 1-8. NCDC. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, OK, Washington.
Pennsylvania (57)
— 57 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–39-40 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
— 36 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
— 29 Philly.com. “Summer Heat Death Toll…29.” 7-29- 2011. (by July 29)
— 17 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of Death. X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
Pennsylvania Breakout by Localities:
— 1 Berks Co., Alsace Township, Aug 17. Izak Tucker Allen, 2; climbed into car at home.[139]
— 1 Burlington Co. Philly.com. “Region’s Heat-Related Death Toll…25…” 7-28-2011.
— 1? Cumberland Co., Camp Hill, July 12. Roofer “possibly died from heat stress…”[140]
— 1 Delaware Co., Chester, Jul 29. Philly.com. “Summer Heat Death Toll…29.” 7-29- 2011.
— 1 Germantown, July 23. Newsworks.org. “Heat Blamed for Germantown Death.” 7-24-2011.[141]
— 1 Lehigh County, July 21-24. Male, 71, permanent home. NCDC Storm Events Database.
— 2 Montgomery Co., July 21-24. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat. Montgomery.
–33 Philadelphia. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 8-1-2011.[142]
— 1 Philadelphia, May 30. Male, 67, permanent home.[143]
— 1 Philadelphia, June 8-9. Male, 83, permanent home. NCDC. Storm Events Database.
— 1 Philadelphia, July 7. Male, 53, at home. NCDC Storm Events Database, Heat, PA.[144]
— 1 Philadelphia, July 12. Male, 73, home.[145]
–25 Philly area, July 17-23. Philly.com. “Summer Heat Death Toll…29.” 7-29- 2011.[146]
–22 Philly area. Philly.com. “Region’s Heat-Related Death Toll…25…” 7-28-2011.
–22 Philadelphia, July 21-24. NCDC. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Philadelphia.[147]
–1 Female, 54, permanent home.
–1 Female, 58, permanent home.
–1 Female, 72, permanent home.
–1 Female, 72, permanent structure.
–1 Female, 76, permanent home
–1 Female, 80, permanent home.
–1 Female, 84, permanent home.
–1 Male, 44, permanent home.
–1 Male, 50, permanent home.
–1 Male, 53, permanent home.
–1 Male, 63, permanent home.
–1 Male, 66, permanent home.
–1 Male, 67, permanent home.
–1 Male, 69, permanent home.
–1 Male, 70, permanent home.
–1 Male, 71, permanent home.
–1 Male, 72, permanent home.
–1 Male, 73, permanent home.
–1 Male, 74, permanent home.
–1 Male, 79, permanent home.
–1 Male, 81, permanent home.
–1 Male, 88, permanent home.
— 5 Philadelphia, July 29. NCDC. Storm Events Database, Heat, PA, Philadelphia, July 29.[148]
–1 Female, 81, permanent home.
–1 Female, 88, permanent home.
–1 Female, 81, permanent structure.
–1 Male, 59, permanent home.
–1 Male, 62, permanent home.
— 2 Philadelphia, Aug 1. Female, 83, permanent home; male, 62, permanent home.[149]
South Carolina (10)
–10 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
— 1 Columbia, June 19. Hyperthermia; Jayden Davis, 8-months; left in car by father, 3-4 hrs.[150]
— ? Lamar, July 30. Tyquan Brantley; high school football practice; outdoor high temp. 101°.[151]
Tennessee ( 20)
–20 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
— 9 Blanchard tally based on county breakouts below.
— 8 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
— 7 Shelby Co., Memphis, by Aug 13. Commercial Appeal. “Two more…deaths…” 8-15-2011.
— 8 Shelby County. Blanchard tally of breakouts below.
–1 June 3-5. Male, 60, outside. NCDC Storm Events Database, Heat, TN, Shelby.
–1 June 3-5. Male, 62, at home. NCDC Storm Events Database, Heat, TN, Shelby.
–1 June 3-5. Female, 75, permanent structure. NCDC Storm Events Database, Heat, TN.
–1 July 11-13, Male, 72, at home. NCDC Storm Events Database, TN, Shelby.
–2 Aug 4. Commercial Appeal, “Deaths…”Linked to Heat.” 8-4-2011.[152]
–2 Aug 7. Male 68, home; male, 46, permanent structure.[153]
— 1 Tipton Co., Brighton, June 3-5, 2011. NCDC Storm Events Database, Heat, TN. Tipton.
Texas (183)
–183 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–126 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of Death. X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 68 Blanchard tally of County breakouts below.
— 46 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
— 46 Summer. Reuters. “Dallas Breaks much-awaited heat record…” 9-13-2011.
Breakout by Texas Counties:
— 1 Bastrop and Travis Counties, Elgin, Aug 9.[154]
— 2 Bell County.
–1 Killeen, Aug 1. Killeen Herald, TX. “Killeen…First Heat…Death.” 8-3-2011.
–1 Locality not noted, Aug 4. Male, 69, permanent home. NCDC. Storm Events…
— 1 Burnet Co., Marble Falls, Aug 9. Hyperthermia; male, 83, outside home, temp. over 100°.[155]
— 1 Cameron Co., Brownsville, July 5. Francisco Estrada, 3; wandered from house into van, trapped.[156]
— 1 Collin Co., Plano, Aug 1. Wade McClain, 55; collapsed in 1st HS football practice, 3rd day 100°.[157]
— 1 Collin County, Aug 12. Female, 70, outdoors.[158]
— 1 Comal Co., New Braunfels, March 8. Mya Wallace, 6-mo., mother accidentally left in car ~9 hrs.[159]
–24 Dallas County. CDC Wonder ICD-10 X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat) search.
— 9 Females
–15 Males
–21 Dallas County. Blanchard tally of breakouts below.
–17 By Sep 13. Reuters. “Dallas Breaks much-awaited heat record…” 9-13-2011.
–16 by Aug 17. Dallas Morning News. “Heat…16 deaths in Dallas Co.” 8-17-2011.
–14 mid-Jun-Aug 6. Statesman, Austin. “City of Austin…Heat Wave.” 8-10-2011.
–12 Dallas, mid-Jun-Aug 3. Xinhuanet.com. “Heat Claims 12 Lives…Dallas.” 8-3-2011.
— 1 June 19. Hyperthermia; male, 50, in home “when temperatures were around 103°.[160]
— 1 June 20. Hyperthermia; male, 43; found in home garage; temps. Around 100°.[161]
— 1 June 28. Hyperthermia; male, 21, in home, “temperatures around 99 degrees.”[162]
— 9 July 15-31. NCDC, Storm Events Database, Heat, TX, Dallas, July 1-31, 2011.[163]
–1 Male, 38, outside.
–1 Male, 54, permanent home.
–1 Male, 61, permanent home.
–1 Male, 67, permanent home.
–1 Male, 81, permanent home.
–1 Male, 91, permanent home.
–1 Female, 75, permanent home.
–1 Female, 76, permanent home.
–1 Female, 79, permanent home.
— 4 Aug 1-5. NCDC, Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, TX, Dallas, Aug 1-6, 2011.
–1 Male, 34, outside.
–1 Male, 74, permanent home.
–1 Female, 73, permanent home.
–1 Female, 53, permanent home.
— 4 Aug 6-31. NCDC, Storm Events Database, Heat, Texas, Dallas, Aug 6-31, 2011.
–1 Female, 56, permanent home.
–1 Female, 86, permanent home.
–1 Female, 92, permanent home.
–1 Male, 60, permanent home.
— 1 Irving, Aug 25. Muaawiyah Roberts, 2; either got into or was left in hot family car.[164]
— 3 Fannin Co., Aug 1-6. NCDC. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Texas, Fannin.
— 1 Male, 74, permanent home.
— 1 Male, 79, permanent home.
— 1 Male, 80, permanent home.
— 1 Fannin County, Aug 6. Male, 58, fatality location “other.”[165]
— 1 Guadalupe Co., New Berlin area, June 12. Boy, 3, wandered off, into family car; temp. ~100°.[166]
— 2 Harris Co., Houston, Aug 6. KTRK, Houston. “HPD: Deaths of two Women…” 8-6-2011.
— 1 Harris County, Pearland, Aug 5. Male landscaper, 33, collapses outside Aug 4.[167]
— 1 Hidalgo Co., June 11. Barbara A. Zepeda, 18-months; left by mother two hours in vehicle.[168]
— 1 Hood County, Oak Trail Shore area, Aug 1. Hyperthermia; male, 74, permanent home.[169]
— 1 Hunt County, Aug 7. Female, 48, permanent home.[170]
— 1 Jefferson Co., Beaumont, July 8. Heat exhaustion; new bricklayer on 24-ft scaffold.[171]
— 1 Johnson Co., Cleburne, July 11. Lily Parsons, 4, got into family car in driveway, 100° outside.[172]
— 3 Kaufman County, Aug 1-6. NCDC. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, TX, Kaufman.
–1 Female, 56, outside.
–1 Male, 46, vehicle/towed trailer.
–1 Male, 82, permanent home.
— 1 McLennan Co., Bellmead, July 5. Jewelie Quinn Johnson, 10-mo.; left in van by mother, hot day.[173]
— 1 Montague County, Aug 17. Male, 73, mobile/trailer home.[174]
— 1 Nueces County, Corpus Christi, Aug 1. Heatstroke; homeless male, age not noted, outside.[175]
— 1 Palo Pinto/Parker Co’s., Mineral Wells, July 7. Wildfire crew member, Caleb Hamm, 23.[176]
— 1 Parker County, Aug 10. Male, 76, home. NCDC Storm Events Database, Heat, TX, Parker.
— 1 Pearland,[177] Aug 5. Landscape worker collapsed, later died; hyperthermia preliminary cause.[178]
— 1 Rockwall County, July 15. Female, 55, found deceased in her car; coroner said heat involved.[179]
— 6 Tarrant Co., by Aug 20. Star-Telegram, TX. “Six Tarrant deaths blamed on heat…” 8-24-2011.
–1 Denton, June 4. Heat contributing factor; male, 51. NCDC. Storm Events Database.
–1 Fort Worth, June 4. Hyperthermia; male, 52, in car; outside temps mid-high 90s.[180]
–4 Tarrant County Aug 6-31. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Tarrant.[181]
–1 Female, 72, outside.
–1 Male, 60, vehicle/towed trailer.
–1 Male, 63, permanent home.
–1 Male, 75, permanent home.
— 1 Travis County, Austin, May 25. Sophia R. Cavaliero, 1, left in pickup by father, hot day.[182]
— 1 Travis County, Elgin, along County Line Road, Aug 9. Hyperthermia; male, 60, outside.[183]
— 1 Young County, July 9. Heat exhaustion. Female, 56, outside, after ATV crash; 104°.[184]
— 5 Webb County, Laredo vicinity. Aug 8-14.[185]
— 1 Wise County, July 7. Woman, 82, in overheated home; daytime triple-digit temperature.[186]
— 1 Wise County, July 15. Male, 65, outside “while working on a job.”[187]
Vermont ( 1)
— 1 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
–1 Windsor County, July 21. Female, 40, camping; heat index values of 100-108°.[188]
Virginia (12)
–12 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
–11 CDC Wonder. Underlying Cause of Death. X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 8 July. Washington Examiner. “Heat Killed 7 Last Week in Wash. Area.” 8-4-2011.
— 1 Bristow, June 17. Ryan Murphy, 2; left in car seat by mother in minivan while at work.[189]
— 1 Danville, June 21. Dakhyran Markell Reeves, 20-months; left in car while mother shopped.[190]
— 1 No. VA, July 21. Wash. Examiner. “Heat Killed 7 Last Week in Wash. Area.” 8-4-2011.
West Virginia ( 1)
–1 Wharncliffe, May 31. Heat exhaustion. Natural gas compressor station worker; had complained of heat.[191]
Wisconsin (10)
–10 CDC Wonder. Multiple Cause of Death, States and T67 heat code.
— 5 State of WI. “Wisconsin Heat Awareness Day June 12, 2014” (Press Release). 6-4-2014.[192]
— 5 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 5 July 15-24. Madison.com. “Fifth State Death Attributed to Heat Wave.” 8-9-2011.
— 5 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2011 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-8-2012.
— 3 by July 24. WTAQ.com, Green Bay, WI. “Heat…Blamed…Three Deaths.” 7-26-2011.
Breakout by Localities in Wisconsin:
–1 Columbia Co., Fall River, July 17-20. Male, 65, with “underlying medical conditions.”[193]
–1 Crawford Co.[194] Found on July 20; female, 82; mobile home after air conditioning failed.[195]
–1 Marquette County, July 17-20. Male, 80, permanent home.[196]
–1 Monroe County, July 23. Female, 65, home; no air conditioning; preexisting med. cond.[197]
–1 Sauk County, Reedsburg, July 17-20. Female, 87, home without air conditioning.[198]
U.S. General
July 21: “Sweating crowds on the East Coast and in the Midwest flocked to waterfronts and urban cooling centers on Thursday to escape a massive heat wave that has killed at least 22 people this week. The National Weather Service issued excessive heat warnings for wide swaths of the country’s mid-section and East Coast, saying the combined heat and humidity could spike the heat index or “real feel” of the warmth to 115 degrees through Saturday.
“By early Thursday afternoon in New York City, the thermometer hit 91 but it felt more like 112, according to Accuweather.com. Other cities watching their local heat indexes rise into the triple digits because of the oppressive mix of high temperatures and humidity included — among others — Tulsa, St. Louis, Buffalo, and Washington, D.C., according to the weather service.
“In Chicago, where a five-day heat wave in 1995 killed hundreds, the city endured a fifth consecutive day of abnormally high temperatures with the heat index hitting 110 in the early afternoon — and forecasters warned the heat wave could continue into the weekend.
“In Oklahoma, where the heat has exacerbated a severe drought, Governor Mary Fallin said she planned to ease commercial vehicle restrictions to speed delivery of hay and other feed to cattle whose grazing areas have been destroyed by the weather. Fallin said she would amend an existing drought-related emergency declaration she issued earlier this year to allow hay-haulers to operate bigger trucks with heavier loads on the state’s roads. “We have cattle that are starving,” Fallin told Reuters, “and we have certain areas of the state where we need to get the hay delivered to the farmers and the ranchers and the cattlemen.”….
“Cooling centers in Richmond, Virginia, and New York City welcomed overheated residents and a truck labeled “Water Fountain on the Go” cruised Manhattan streets, offering to refill empty water bottles to keep residents hydrated.
“Con Edison expected scattered outages in coming days amid an anticipated all-time high in electrical demand in New York, said utility spokesman John Micksid.
“Unhealthy smog levels triggered by the heat were reported in Chicago, where residents were asked by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to reduce polluting activities such as idling cars and mowing lawns.
“By the weekend the heat was expected to cover nearly 50 percent of the country and impact nearly half the population, according to AccuWeather.com forecaster Mary Yoon. “What makes this heat wave so impressive is the pure size and longevity,” said Yoon. “Through the rest of this week and into the weekend at least 15 states starting from the Southern Plains and Midwest and much of the Northeast will witness 90 degree plus temperatures with high humidity,” she said….
“”Do not take this threat lightly,” the NWS warned in a statement on its website, noting the extreme temperatures are particularly dangerous for the elderly and the very young. “The length of this heat wave will pose a very real and dangerous health risk to these at-risk groups and those that do not have access to air conditioning.”….
“In the central United States, where the high temperatures have killed nearly two dozen already, more deaths were tied to the heat.
“Similar causes of death were reported Thursday in Kansas City, Missouri, where a woman in her early 80s died, and in Hutchinson, Kansas, where three elderly people were found dead in their separate homes on Wednesday. Of those who died in Hutchinson, one had a ceiling fan and another, a 76-year-old man, an air conditioner. “He had an air-conditioning unit in the window but didn’t use it because he didn’t want to pay the electric bill,” said Hutchinson Police Sergeant Thad Pickard.
“Two people died from the heat in an Illinois county near the Mississippi River on Wednesday, St. Clair County Coroner Rick Stone said on Thursday. They were identified as Willie Gill, 72, of East St. Louis, Illinois, whose body was found dead of heat stroke in a ditch near his home; and Kevin Miller, 51, of Belleville, Illinois, who was found dead of a heat-related heart attack on his front porch, which faced westward toward the setting sun. Temperatures in the area, which is about 15 miles east of St. Louis, reached 100 degrees on Wednesday and again on Thursday.” (Reuters (B. Goldberg). “Massive, deadly heat wave spreads from Midwest to East.” 7-21-2011.)
July 23: “A punishing wave of heat and humidity continued its hold over a large part of the country on Saturday, raising the toll of heat-related deaths even as forecasters promised that relief, in the form of cooler air from Canada, would arrive Sunday. From the Midwest to the Eastern Seaboard, it was as if the earth had broken its orbit and veered closer to the sun, with millions of Americans stepping outside on Saturday into temperatures that steadily climbed toward triple digits. That, combined with the unrelenting humidity, pushed the heat index on Saturday afternoon toward a staggering 120 degrees in Washington and 105 to 115 degrees in New York, Philadelphia and other cities in the Northeast.
“The National Weather Service said the mid-Atlantic could experience record high temperatures, including in Washington, where the thermometer hit 105 degrees at Dulles International Airport on Friday, the highest reading ever there.
“In Central Park the mercury rose to 100 degrees on Saturday afternoon, breaking the previous record of 99 degrees set in 1991, and at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington it hit 102 degrees, breaking the previous daily record set in 1991, said Christopher Vaccaro, a spokesman for the weather service. It was enough to make the high temperatures forecast for Sunday in some parts of the country — 90 in New York, 95 in Washington and 90 in Chicago — sound almost pleasant.
“Across the Midwest and the Plains, the authorities urged people to take precautions and tried to cope with a growing death toll. The National Weather Service had noted at least 33 heat-related deaths nationwide, and several cities and states were reporting new numbers throughout Saturday. Officials in Chicago said they had confirmed at least six heat-related deaths, Missouri authorities reported more than a dozen and health officials in Tennessee said they had confirmed at least four….
“…in much of…the country, Saturday was just as savagely hot as the day before. Millions of Americans from the Plains and the Midwest to the Eastern Seaboard remained under heat warnings or advisories, prompting many to look for ways to cool down at any cost….” (New York Times. “Heat Deaths Rise, but Cooler Air is in the Forecast.” 7-23-2011.)
Jul 27: “According to the National Weather Service, the massive heat wave that scorched half of the United States in triple digit heat indexes last week may have been the leading cause of death in as many as 64 cases nationwide. Though the heat has subsided over much of the coastal States, a return to above average temperatures is predicted for next week. “The high pressure system responsible for the recent heat wave will remain in place across the central U.S. through Thursday, then a brief reprieve is in store,” a National Weather Service statement said. On Wednesday, portions of the Central U.S. including Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Illinois remain under excessive heat warnings. Most of last week’s fatalities came from this region. It’s not just humans that are suffering. The heat has taken its toll on livestock, particularly in the plains states. A poll of Iowa Cattlemen’s Association members indicated that as many as 4,000 head of cattle died from the record-setting heat.” (IBT. “Heat Wave Responsible for More Than 60 Deaths.” 7-27-2011.)
Aug 4: “It’s been a summer that has brought 100-degree temperatures as far north as Maine and Minnesota. In the South, it has brought tragedy to high school football as four players and a coach have died in a span of seven days. Heat has been ruled a factor in three of the five. Pending autopsy results, it could be that all five were heat-related.
“If all four player deaths are the result of heat illnesses, it would represent the most heat-related deaths in high school football since 2006, according to the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury at the University of North Carolina. And the season has is barely underway.
“The NCCSI, which tracks sports deaths of every cause, reports there were 30 heat-related deaths of football players from 1995 through 2009, an average of two per year. The most were five in 2006. In 2002 and 2003, there were none, the only years that have passed without any heat-related deaths since 1995.
“The NCCSI’s position is that heat-related deaths are tragic because they are preventable. In Little Rock, where temperatures hit 114 this week, Arkansas Activities Association executive director Lance Taylor was frank in an address to his membership on Monday. “Any heat illness is preventable. Any heat illness is preventable. Period,” he said. “You’re going to have to step up and be the leader of your school and make sure your kids are safe.” (Maxpreps.com. “Heat Brings Tragedy…Southern High School Football.” 8-4-2011.)
Aug 6: “…the National Weather Service has received 68 reports of heat-related deaths as of August 1.” (Foxnews.com. “Feeling Hot? Take This.” 8-5-2011.)
Sep 8: “The USA just endured its hottest summer in 75 years and the second-hottest summer on record, according to data released Thursday afternoon by the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. The average U.S. temperature during the summer of 2011 was 74.5 degrees, which was 2.4 degrees above the long-term (1901-2000) average. Only the Dust Bowl year of 1936, at 74.6 degrees, was warmer. Four states – Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana – had their warmest summer ever recorded, the climate center also reported.
“Average temperatures for the summer in Texas and Oklahoma, at 86.8 degrees and 86.5 degrees, respectively, exceeded the previous statewide average temperature record for any state during any season. Texas also suffered through its driest summer on record. The state is in the midst of its worst drought since the 1950s. More than 81% of the state is listed as experiencing extreme drought, the worst category, according to Thursday’s U.S. Drought Monitor.
“The drought monitor also reported that a third of the contiguous USA is currently in a drought.
“A total of 15 states in the South and East sweltered through one of their top 10 warmest summers on record.
“”Based on a government index using residential energy demand as an indicator of temperature, “the contiguous U.S. temperature-related energy demand was 22.3% above average during summer,” the climate center noted in an online report. “This is the largest such value during the index’s period of record, which dates to 1895.”
“On the flip side, two states — Oregon and Washington — had a cooler than average summer, while California had its wettest summer on record.
“U.S. climate data go back to 1895. The climate center defines summer as June 1-Aug. 31. It will release global temperature data for the summer of 2011 next week.” (USA Today (Doyle Rice). “U.S. sweltered through the hottest summer in 75 years.” 9-8-2011.) [Contributing Assoc. Press.]
Alabama
July 14: “Associated Press. Montgomery – At least five deaths are being blamed on the hot weather in Alabama, and health officials said Thursday they fear the number could climb as temperatures soar. The Alabama Department of Public Health said it knew of four people who had died of heat-related problems since May 24. Two people died in Lee County, and St. Clair and Madison counties each had one death.
“In Lawrence County, a man died at a hospital in northwest Alabama on Wednesday from what relatives described as a heat stroke. Cleophus Alexander Woods, 42, of Town Creek reportedly was overcome while working on a farm Monday, when temperatures reached 97 degrees and it felt even hotter because of the humidity.
“Dr. Jim McVay of the state health agency said there normally is a two-week delay in processing death certificates, so the actual number of heat-related deaths in the state could be even higher.
“The combination of temperatures in the upper 90s and high humidity made it feel like it was warmer than 100 degrees across much of the state, according to the National Weather Service. Thunderstorms helped cool down some areas, but forecasters said there wasn’t an end in sight to the high temperatures.
“McVay said severe heat stroke can result in massive organ failure that leads to death. “If you stop sweating, the body is shutting down and temperatures can rise very rapidly,” he said. “The quickest way (to cool down) is to put cool water or ice on pressure points such as throat and neck, and cold cloths on the wrist and forehead.” (Gadsden Times, AL. “Heat Blamed in Five Alabama Deaths Since May.” 7-14-2011.)
Arkansas
Aug 3: “With temperatures continuing to soar into the triple digits again this week the Arkansas Department of Health announced the first heat-related death in the state on Monday. Arkansas typically has between five and 11 deaths each year attributed to excessive heat. There are several deaths with suspected heat-related causes pending official death certificate verification.” (Times Dispatch, Lawrence Co., Ark. “Heat Wave Causes Dangerous Conditions.” 8-3-2011.)
Aug 9: “….The Arkansas Department of Health said Tuesday that two deaths in Arkansas have officially been confirmed as heat-related so far this summer.” (Reuters. “Heat scorches South…” 8-9-2011.)
Aug 10: “Tragedy continues to mar 2011 preseason as Gurdon 15-year-old Montel Williams is sixth casualty in two weeks… The Daily Siftings reported this morning that Montel Williams, a sophomore at Gurdon (Ark.), died after collapsing on the football field during practice Tuesday night. According to the Clark County Sheriff’s department, a 911 call was received at 8:42 p.m., but Williams, 15, was pronounced dead at 9:59 p.m. at Baptist Medical Center-Arkadelphia, which is located 15 miles north of Gurdon. Gurdon Superintendent Allen Blackwell told the newspaper that football coach John Pace had taken precautions to help players with the heat. Temperatures during the day had hovered around 100 degrees and at the time Williams collapsed, temperatures had dropped into the mid-80s according to weather reports. Practice was started late (7:30 p.m.) to combat the rising temperatures. The cause of death is unknown and an autopsy is scheduled for today. If Williams’ death is heat-related it would match the most in a single football season since 2006, according to the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury at the University of North Carolina.” (Maxpreps.com. “Another Death on Gridiron – Arkansas Sophomore Collapses After Football Practice, 8-10-2011.)
District of Columbia
Aug 24: “Seven people are dead as a result of last week’s [July 24-30] record-breaking heat wave that gripped the Washington area. Officials said Thursday that four people died in the District from heat-related causes last week….
“This past month was the hottest month in Washington’s recorded history, with an average temperature recorded at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport of 85.4 degrees over the 31-day span. On July 22, the heat index, a combined measure of temperature and humidity, spiked to a sweltering 121 degrees. The District issued its first “excessive heat warning” in 10 years. Days of high humidity and heat followed, causing a dangerous cumulative effect. D.C. Department of Health spokeswoman Mahlori Isaacs said the city’s response to the heat, extending pool hours and encouraging locals to seek shelter in air-conditioned libraries, was successful in preventing deaths. “It was a number of agencies coming together,” Isaacs said. “A lot of people were responsive.” (Washington Examiner. “Heat Killed 7 Last Week…” 8-4-2011.)
Florida
July 29: “On Friday, July 29, Miramar (Fla.) senior Isaiah Laurencin died after collapsing during a workout the previous afternoon. Heat has been ruled as a cause of death, as temperatures were near 90 degrees.” (Maxpreps.com. “Heat Brings Tragedy…High School Football.” 8-4-2011.)
Aug 2: “Tuesday, Fitzgerald defensive lineman D.J. Searcy died at his team’s football camp near O’Leno State Park [FL], about 25 miles north of Gainesville, Fla. He was found unresponsive in his room late in the morning after a practice and was pronounced dead about an hour later, according to several media reports.” (Maxpreps.com. “Heat Brings Tragedy to Southern High School Football.” 8-4-2011.)
Georgia
“On Tuesday [Aug 2], two Georgia players died, one after spending a week in an Atlanta hospital. Locust Grove offensive lineman Forrest Jones collapsed during a voluntary workout last week. He died of heat stroke, a coroner ruled, as the player’s kidneys and liver stopped functioning and he fell into a coma. (Maxpreps.com. “Heat Brings Tragedy…Southern High School Football.” 8-4-2011.)
Illinois
July 22: “The St. Clair County Coroner’s Office is investigating two apparent heat-related deaths in Belleville and East St. Louis. Kevin Miller, a 51-year-old paraplegic, was found on the porch of his home at 208 S. 27th St. in Belleville. He was pronounced dead at 8:50 p.m. Wednesday.
“The second victim on Wednesday also is believed to have died from a heat-related illness, according to the coroner’s office. Coroner investigators were attempting to confirm the man’s identity Thursday. He was a 72-year-old homeless man who was found in a ditch in the 1500 block of Converse Avenue in East St. Louis. He was pronounced dead at 9:40 p.m.
“If both people died from the heat, that would make four metro-east heat deaths this summer.
“The first heat death came July 10. Mitsunari Uechi, 51, of 2609 Cayuga in Granite City, was found unresponsive in his mobile home. He did not have air conditioning and had prior health problems.
“That death was followed two days later by the death of Robert Hunter, 78, of the 100 block Spruce in O’Fallon, who died July 12 while catching crawdads near Interstate 255 and Black Lane in the Caseyville area. He had prior heart-related medical issues.
“The St. Louis Medical Examiner’s office has investigated three heat-related deaths this summer, Chief Rose Psara said in an email Wednesday afternoon. Metro-east hospitals also handled patients dealing with heat-related illnesses in the past two days. Anderson Hospital in Maryville treated and released two patients — a 20-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man — for heat-related illnesses. Wednesday morning, Memorial Hospital in Belleville treated a 72-year-old patient who did not have access to a functioning air conditioner.
“The St. Louis area is under an excessive heat warning until 7 p.m. Sunday, with heat indexes expected to range from 105 to 115. The National Weather Service recorded a high of 96 Wednesday at Scott Air Force Base and a high of 99 as of 5 p.m. Thursday at the same site. Belleville is expected to have a high of 98 today with temperatures to range from 76 to 96 Saturday and 73 to 95 Sunday, according to the National Weather Service….” (News-Democrat, Belleville, IL. “Heat Deaths…” 7-22-2011.)
Aug 4: “Two more people died in Cook County due to heat, the medical examiner’s office said today, bringing to 20 the total number of heat-related deaths since May. The people were identified as Barton R. Plumstead, 62, of the 1700 block of West Sunnyside Avenue in Chicago and Marion Frappier, 67, of the 300 block of Eastern Avenue in Barrington. Both were found decomposed in their homes on Wednesday, and autopsies determined that both died of heart disease with heat stress as a contributing factor.” (Chicago Tribune. “2 Additional Cook County Deaths Blamed in Part on Heat.” Aug 4, 2011.)
Indiana
July 25: “Columbus, Ind. — A southern Indiana man who collapsed while working at a foundry died of a heart attack complicated by extreme heat, the Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office said. Charles Hulse, 50, of North Vernon, collapsed while at his work station at CE Systems Inc. in Columbus on Thursday. Bartholomew County Chief Deputy Coroner Larry Fisher said Hulse was on medication for hypertension and high cholesterol. He had started feeling overwhelmed by the heat, but had taken a break in a cool room before returning to work.
“The Republic reported that the death was ruled from natural causes. Temperatures reached the mid-90s that day, with a heat index of about 115 degrees.
“The Indiana Department of Labor is investigating the circumstances of the death at the foundry that makes iron castings for heavy equipment manufacturers. “We’ll take a look at everything from the workplace itself, where the employee was doing the work, what type of work the employee was doing,” said Stephanie McFarland, spokeswoman for the Department of Labor. The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration said companies are required to report workplace fatalities to the state within eight hours, but Hulse’s death was not reported until Monday.” (Theindychannel.com. “Coroner: Heat Involved…Death…” 7-25-2011.)
July 25: “Indianapolis, IN (NBC) — Two more heat related deaths have been confirmed in Indiana. Autopsies show that two Indianapolis women died of complications from heat exposure when their bodies were discovered over the weekend. Police found the bodies of 83-year-old Priscilla Gill and her 63-year-old stepdaughter Dorothy Gill after a mail carrier saw the overflowing mailbox at the home and told a neighbor, who called police. Police said both women suffered from multiple health problems and the house didn’t have air conditioning.” (14WFIE.com. “Two Heat Related Deaths Confirmed in Indy.” 7-25-2011.)
Kentucky
July 23: “Washington – A scorching heat wave in the US, anchored in the Midwest and spreading across the country to the Northeast, continues wreaking havoc on millions of Americans, and has been blamed for at least 24 deaths, including the latest, an 18-year-old landscaper….The death of an 18-year-old in Louisville, KY, identified and Cody Johns of Sellersburg, IN, is being blamed on heat and claims of a care center’s inability to offer timely assistance.
“Johns died Thursday night after suffering heat stroke from working all day outdoors. His stepfather and a fellow co-worker took the young man to a Norton Care Center. Deputy Jefferson County Coroner Eddie Robinson interviewed the stepfather who claims the care center never treated the boy, according to The Courier-Journal. Instead, a 911 call was placed by the stepfather and emergency crews arrived within 8 minutes at which time Johns was taken to a nearby hospital. Hospital staff measured his temperature at 110 degrees. He was treated for over an hour before he died.
“Claims of Johns’ being denied treatment at the Norton care facility have been denied by Dr. Steve Hester, Norton Chief Medical Officer, stating Johns never entered the facility for a medical evaluation. “It’s a tragic situation,” Hester said, the Courier-Journal reports. “We did not deny treatment to the patient.” The mix-up, apparently a breakdown in communication, resulted when care center staff were not relayed the severity of the situation. “The urgency was not conveyed,” Hester continued. When informed the care center does not provide intravenous fluids, the stepfather turned and walked away. “He left before we could fully respond,” Hester said. Only when local fire and EMS units arrived in the parking lot did the care center staff realize the patient was still on the premises. Bill Smock, an emergency room physician at the local hospital, said it was disturbing the care center did not respond differently. “Certainly, he needed a hospital,” Smock said, the Courier-Journal noted. “But there is an ethical obligation to offer care. They’re floor would have been cooler than the hot sidewalk. They could have poured water over him. You go to a medical facility expecting medical assistance.” (Digital Journal. “US Heat Wave Deaths Climb to 24, Heat to Intensify.” 7-23-2011.)
Maryland
July 22: “Strong upper-level high pressure built over the region during the 22nd. Surface high pressure over the Atlantic Ocean caused moist air to move into the region from the south. Strong subsidence underneath the upper-level high caused extremely hot conditions with air temperatures over 100 degrees. The combination of the heat and high humidity caused heat indices to soar up to as high as 120 degrees. The worst conditions were across eastern Maryland where the humidity was highest. Numerous reports of heat-related illnesses were received by State Health Authorities on the 22nd. Heat indices up to 123 degrees were measured at the Maryland Science Center. A fatality was reported due to the high heat in the city of Baltimore.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, MD, So. Baltimore, July 22, 2011.)
July 26: “The July heat has been linked to the deaths of three more Maryland residents, bringing the season’s total to nine, according to the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. All three deaths occurred last week, as temperatures rose into the 100s for three straight days in much of Central Maryland. The victims included an elderly Baltimore City woman, and middle-aged men in Somerset and Prince George’s counties. Medical examiners said all three had underlying illnesses that also played a role in their deaths. Two of the three died on days when Heat Advisories were in effect, with Heat Index values of 105 degrees or higher.
“State health authorities also reported Tuesday that 478 people whose “chief complaint” was heat-related illness, were seen July 19-23 in Maryland emergency rooms. The numbers peaked at 115 people on Friday, the hottest day of the week. The temperature Friday at BWI-Marshall Airport reached 106 degrees; it was 108 in downtown Baltimore. They were the highest readings on record for both locations.” (Baltimore Sun. “Heat a Factor in Three Md. Deaths, 7-26-2011.)
Aug 4: “Baltimore, Md. — Last week’s heat wave is to blame for 11 more deaths in Maryland. The state health department says that brings the number of heat-related deaths for the season to 21. Ten men and one woman died, four in Baltimore City, two each in Anne Arundel and Wicomico counties and one each in Baltimore, Cecil and Worcester counties. Seven victims were 65 or older. The others, between 45 and 64 years old, all had underlying health conditions.” (WMAL.com, Balt. “Number…Heat-Related Deaths Climbs…Maryland.” 8-4-2011)
Aug 4: “….The heat was a factor in the deaths of 11 people in Maryland last week [July 24-30] – and in 21 deaths in the state so far this year. Every victim has had underlying health conditions, according to Karen Black of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.” (Washington Examiner. “Heat Killed 7 Last Week…” 8-4-2011.)
Aug 4: “Last week’s heat, which reached a record 101 degrees on Friday, contributed to the deaths of 11 Maryland residents, state health authorities said Wednesday, raising the season’s total to 21. The unusually high number was due in part to the long stretch of hot weather. Temperatures had topped 90 degrees for nine days before the week began, reaching 106 degrees July 22 at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and 101 degrees July 29. “The cumulative effect of day after day of this sort of heat takes a toll, particularly on people who have weakened circulatory systems,” said Fran Phillips, deputy secretary for public health at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. “The effect is worse when there are no breaks in the hot weather. People with circulatory problems have an extra load on their heart and lungs.”
“A review of last year’s heat-related deaths found that most involved people “who do not have air conditioning at home and who do not leave home,” Phillips said. All of the people who died in last week’s heat had underlying health conditions that made them more vulnerable, she said.” (Washington Post. “Md. Reports 11 Heat Deaths During Heat Wave.” 8-4-2011.)
Aug 5: “A Cecil County, Md. resident was among 11 people in Maryland who died of heat-related medical problems during last week’s hot spell, local health officials confirmed Thursday. It marks the second heat-related death in Cecil County this summer, health officials said.
“Throughout the state, meanwhile, heat has been cited as a contributing factor in 21 deaths.
“In the latest local case, a man described only as older than 65 died after the excessive heat exacerbated his other medical conditions at some point from July 25 through Aug. 1, according to Stephanie Garrity, county health officer.
“The first heat-related death case here this summer was recorded in early June when a man, also over 65, died amid a hot spell that worsened his other health issues, Garrity said. “They both had some underlying health issues,” Garrity said, referring to the two men here who died heat-related deaths this season. “It has been a very hot, very humid summer. It’s difficult for people with health issues, like respiratory or circulatory problems, and they can succumb in this kind of heat.” Autopsies determined that excessive heat played a role in their deaths. “That distinction is always made by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (in Baltimore),” Garrity said.
“This is the first summer that people have died directly or indirectly because of the heat since 2007, when three heat-related deaths were recorded, Garrity reported.
“In Maryland, during those four previous summers, there were 76 heat-related deaths, health officials said. Broken down, there were 32 heat-related deaths in Maryland last year, six in 2009, 17 in 2008 and 21 in 2007.
“The latest heat-related death case in Cecil County was recorded during the fourth and final heat wave of July, which was the second hottest July in history, according to the National Weather Service. Only July 1955 was hotter than last month, said Mitchell Gaines, a meteorologist station at the NWS station in Mt. Holly, N.J. “There were 22 days of temperatures of 90 degrees or above. On four of those days, the temperatures were 100 degrees or above,” Gaines said.
“Last month, residents here endured four heat waves – which are distinguished by at three least consecutive days in which temperatures of 90 degrees or greater are recorded, according to NWS records. Heat waves ran from July 4 through July 7, July 9 through July 12, July 21 through July 24 and July 29 through July 31. “The most obvious one was the heat wave that went from July 21 through July 24,” Gaines said. On July 22, the second day of that heat wave, the 102-degree temperature broke a record going back to July 22, 1957, when the mercury climbed to 101 degrees. It felt like a 120 degrees during the daytime hours on July 22, however, based on the moisture in the air, a consideration in the heat index. The high of 100 degrees on July 23 also broke a record, this one dating back to July 23, 1991, when the 99-degree high temperature broke the previous record.” (Cecilwhig.com. “Heat Wave Claims Cecil County Resident.” 8-5-2011.)
Aug 10: “Baltimore (AP) — Maryland health authorities say four more deaths have been linked to the hot weather, bringing the total for the season to 25. The state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says three deaths occurred in Baltimore earlier this month. 2 of the victims were aged 65 or older, and the third was middle-aged. Officials say all three had illnesses that made them more vulnerable to the heat.
“A middle-aged man also died in mid-July. Karen Black, a spokeswoman for the health department, tells The Baltimore Sun…that the man did not have an underlying illness.
“Health officials said about 245 state residents went to hospitals last week complaining of heat-related illnesses. That was down from about 480 the previous week.” (Maxpreps.com. “Another Death on Gridiron – Arkansas Sophomore Collapses After Football Practice, 8-10-2011.)
Sep 7: “Baltimore (AP) — Maryland health authorities say 32 people have died due to extreme heat so far this year. That’s according to a report released Tuesday by the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Health officials reported the same number of confirmed heat-related deaths last year. There were six deaths in 2009; 17 in 2008 and 21 in 2007.” (The Capital, Annapolis, MD. “32 heat-related deaths this year in Maryland.” 9-7-2011.)
Michigan
July 23: “The Oakland County Medical Examiner’s office said Thursday that the extreme heat wave hitting southeast Michigan was a contributing factor to a 37-year-old man’s death. Officials said Clark Carrier Jr. was found dead Wednesday in his home in Highland Township. His sister discovered him in the garage. He was rushed to the hospital, but it was too late. Officials said he worked as a cook at a nearby restaurant. He began to feel ill Wednesday afternoon and was told to go home and rest. Local 4 has learned the temperature in the kitchen was about 120 degrees. Officials said Carrier had a heart condition, but that the strain from the heat aggravated the condition to fatal. He weighed about 300 lbs. and had battled health problems for a number of years. His official cause of death was ruled hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hyperthermia.
“Later Thursday evening second man was pronounced dead due to extreme heat in Detroit. According to Henry Ford Hospital, a man in his 60s passed away from hyperthermia. The man was in the car with the windows rolled up in front of his home on Greenway Street near Joy and Livernois when he was found dead. His name is not being released at this time.
“And a third man died Thursday night, also from heat-related illness in Redford.
“Highs across much of Michigan have hovered above 90 degrees for more than a week.” (Clickondetroit.com. “At Least 3 Metro Detroit Deaths Linked to Heat Wave.” 7-23-2011.)
Missouri
July 17-31, St. Louis County: “A major Heat Wave started on July 17th and continued into August. High temperatures ranged from the lower 90s to around 100. Columbia hit 100 on July 28 while St. Louis topped the century mark on six days, including four in a row from July 20 – 23. Low temperatures at night were generally around 80. The Heat Index ranged from around 105 to 110. There were five deaths reported in the City of St. Louis with three in St. Louis County. Over 100 people were treated at a U2 concert held at Busch Stadium the evening of the 17th.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis, July 17-31, 2011.)
Aug 2, Joplin: “Joplin, Mo. — The current heat wave that is suspected of at least contributing to one death in Joplin is expected to continue to oppress the area with dangerous, record-breaking, triple-digit temperatures through the rest of the week. The temperature Tuesday afternoon in Joplin hit 110 degrees, the highest recorded locally in almost 60 years and one of the highest on record for the city, the National Weather Service said. The area is believed to have recorded its first heat-related death this week. The death of a homeless man, whose body was discovered Monday afternoon outside a vacant building in Joplin, is believed to have been heat-related, according to the Joplin Police Department.” (Joplin Globe. “Joplin Death Linked to Heat.” Aug 2, 2011.)
Aug 3, Kansas City: “The Kansas City Health Department said today that three more suspected heat-related deaths are being investigated by the Jackson County medical examiner. The new cases include men about 65, 39 and 29 years old. These bring to 24 the total number of suspected heat deaths since June in the metropolitan area that are under investigation. One additional death has been confirmed as heat-related.” (Kansas City Star. “3 More Heat Deaths Suspected.” 8-3-2011.)
Aug 2, St. Louis: “The windows in her home were closed and the air conditioning was off when police found the body of Shirley DeClue, the metro area’s latest victim of the unrelenting summer heat. DeClue, 73, was found Thursday in her Ferguson home in the first block of Wayside Drive, where she lived alone. The St. Louis County medical examiner’s office released details of her death on Tuesday, confirming that she died of hyperthermia. DeClue’s body was so badly decomposed that officials say she might have been dead as long as two weeks, authorities say. They are basing that on the mail that had piled up at her home. Investigators said her home showed signs of hoarding.
“DeClue was found when a neighbor reported a foul odor coming from her single-family home, the medical examiner’s office says. The woman’s brother, who lives elsewhere, told police that the air conditioning was not working at DeClue’s home, said Lt. Dan DeCarli of the Ferguson Police Department. DeClue kept to herself and was extremely private, said neighbors who had been watching out for her for years. But some neighbors got the feeling she didn’t want the help, says one neighbor, Virginia Wagner, who lives about a half-block away. “We would watch to see if her car had moved, to see if she was okay,” Wagner said. “People did try to extend help but you don’t want to intrude. People cared greatly, and it was a total shock to all of us that this happened.”
“On the day she was found, the high reached 101 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. In the previous nine days, the temperature reached 100 or higher on six days. “DeClue’s death brings to 16 the number of heat-related deaths since June 7 in the metro area. Hers is the fourth in St. Louis County. Six people in St. Louis and six in the Metro East have died of the heat.” (STLtoday.com. “Heat…Death Toll…16…St. Louis Co…” 8-2-2011.)
Aug 10, St. Louis: “St. Louis, Mo. (KMOX) — As the city finally feels a bit of relief from the heat, the numbers show how dangerous this searing summer has been. Last summer, St. Louis city recorded 46 heat-related illnesses and just three deaths. So far this summer the figures are twice as high, with 103 illnesses and seven deaths. The latest an 80 year-old Brentwood woman who was last seen by neighbors on July 29th. Brentwood Police found her August 2nd in a home with a single unit window air conditioner that was not working.
“The county saw no deaths last year, but four county deaths have been attributed to heat this summer, and illnesses have risen by 56% – from 172 last year to 269 in 2011. According to county figures, there have been 31 days this summer under heat surveillance, while only 23 days held the same distinction over the entire summer last year. This year’s numbers aren’t set in stone yet, as the notoriously sweltering August plods along.” (CBS St. Louis. “Heat Figures Show Shocking Jump, Claims Another Victim.” Aug 10, 2011.)
Sep 2, 2011: “St. Louis — The renewed flash of hot weather has contributed to another death, aggravated a widening drought and helped to make this summer season the fourth-warmest on record in St. Louis.
“The National Weather Service keeps seasonal records by months — the “meteorological summer” consists of June, July and August — rather than by solar season. The season ending Wednesday included 12 days of high temperatures at 100 degrees or hotter, a total that wouldn’t appear to explain the high rank. But the nights were warmer, reflecting a steady trend….this year’s hottest day was Thursday, when the temperature reached 104 degrees. But it doesn’t count in the summer season, even though it tied the record for Sept. 1. Today’s high is forecast at 102, followed by a cooling trend. The record high for today was 101, set in 1953.
“On Thursday, St. Clair County officials reported that the body of Ruth Reinhardt, 79, of Belleville, was found Wednesday afternoon on her porch in the 700 block of Washington Avenue. If her death is confirmed as hyperthermia, or heat stroke, Reinhardt would be the 19th person to die of heat-related causes in the metro area this season. The last death was reported Aug. 3, at the end of a two-week hot spell.
“….the heat wave and dry spell that began this July make this a noteworthy summer. After an unusually wet spring, the skies over St. Louis dried up — July was one 1 below normal and August, 2 inches down. Since July 3, the date of the area’s last heavy downpour, St. Louis has recorded only 2 inches of rain.” (STLtoday.com. “Fourth hottest summer baked St. Louis area.” 9-2-2011.)
New Jersey
NCDC: “One of the most oppressive heat waves since mid July 1995 enveloped New Jersey from July 21st through the 24th. The heat was responsible for two deaths and hundreds of heat related injuries. Many locations had high temperatures that reached into the 100s. The most oppressive day was July 22nd when the combination of temperature and dew points pushed many afternoon heat index values to 110F to around 120F. While high temperatures on July 23rd were similar in the central and southern parts of the state, dew point temperatures and the heat index values were lower.
“There were heat related deaths in Burlington and Mercer Counties. Both people were found indoors without air-conditioning. There were hundreds of cases heat exhaustion and other heat related illnesses. Health authorities were seeing younger people than typical. The largest concentration of heat related injuries occurred at the Vans Warped Tour stop at Monmouth Park in Oceanport (Monmouth County) on the 24th. Three hundred and one people were treated for heat exhaustion, twenty-seven were taken to hospitals, three were admitted. One child suffered heat exhaustion while participating in a rugby tournament in Morris County on the 23rd. To combat the heat, many counties, cities and municipalities opened cooling centers. Nearly every county in the state opened cooling centers. New Jersey activated its 211 information line. The hours of air-conditioned senior citizen centers were extended. People flocked to the malls, movie theaters and pools to keep cool. Construction workers adjusted their work days and started early. Paving work was postponed. Water and electrical service shutoffs were postponed. Home air-conditioning repairs, ice suppliers, automobile air conditioning repairs, chilly treat vendors all saw increases in demand as was an increase in water deliveries. Ironically the excessive heat caused a drop in people going to the beaches as even there it was too hot and humid.
“….The PJM Interconnect (manages high voltage transmission systems) which includes Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey set an all time record usage of 158,000 megawatts at 5 p.m. EDT on July 21st. Atlantic City Electric set a new usage record of 3,074 megawatts at 3 p.m. EDT on the 22nd. Public Service Electric and Gas had its second highest electrical usage on record also on the 22nd only behind August 1, 2006….
“Highest temperatures (all of which occurred on either the 22nd or 23rd in the southeast part of the state) included 106 degrees at the Mercer County Airport in Trenton, 105 degrees at the Atlantic City International Airport and New Brunswick (Middlesex County), 104 degrees in Somerville (Somerset County) and Chatham (Morris County), 103 degrees in Lakehurst (Ocean County), 102 degrees in Belmar (Monmouth County) and Sicklerville (Camden County), 101 degrees in Lumberton (Burlington County, Pequest (Warren County) and Andover (Sussex County) and 100 degrees in Millville (Cumberland County) and Wildwood (Cape May County). The highest hourly heat index at the Atlantic City International Airport was 122 degrees on the 22nd. At the Atlantic City International Airport, the 105 degree high temperature was the second hottest day on record and hottest since June 28, 1969 (106 degrees) and the 4th highest maximum temperature on record. The minimum temperature of 84 degrees on the 23rd was the warmest or highest minimum temperature on record. The monthly average temperature of 81.0 degrees was not only the warmest July on record, but also the warmest month ever. The 20 days in which the maximum temperature reached 90 degrees or high is second only to 1983 with 21 days. At the Mercer County Airport in Trenton, the monthly average temperature of 80.9 degrees was not only the warmest July on record, but also the warmest month ever. The 21 days in which the maximum temperature reached 90 degrees or high also established a new record. This heat wave helped make July 2011 the third hottest July on record for the state of New Jersey with a statewide average temperature of 78.4 degrees. A weak cold front ended the heat wave on the 25th.” (National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, New Jersey, Northwestern Burlington County, July 21-24, 2011.)
New York
July 27: “Town of Tonawanda police confirmed Tuesday that last week’s heat wave caused the deaths of a couple discovered Saturday afternoon on Cortland Avenue — and the heat seemed to have gotten to them quickly. Carlo Mule, 83, and his 90- year-old wife, Laura, were found dead over the weekend by one of Carlo’s two brothers, who had frequently checked in with them. He talked to the couple over the phone at about 4 p. m. Friday — when thermometers in Buffalo hit their high of 95 degrees. Less than 24 hours later, at about 2 p. m. Saturday, the brother went to visit them at home, and found them dead, police said….“In both cases, they were not able to come up with a definitive cause of death, but it was clear that a combination of poor health — age-related — and environmental factors — the oppressive heat — caused their deaths,” said Tonawanda police Lt. Nick Bado, who added that the official cause of death would be listed as hyperthermia for both Mules. When police arrived at the house, the windows were closed, and a few ceiling fans were on.
“The Mules are at least the third and fourth confirmed deaths in New York State caused by last week’s heat wave. A 10- year-old Brooklyn girl died Saturday when temperatures at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport reached 102 degrees….
“Local officials continue to remind people to check on their neighbors, especially the elderly, during hot summer days.” (BuffaloNews.com. “Police Blame Heat…Couple’s Deaths.” 7-27-2011)
July 30: “Two elderly Bronx women were added yesterday to the list of people killed during last week’s scorching heat wave. Both died last Saturday, when the temperature hit 100 degrees, authorities said yesterday. It brings the heat-related death toll to four. One woman was 78 and the other was 72, said the city Medical Examiner’s Office. Their names were not released. Both women had underlying medical problems that were exacerbated by the intense heat and both died of hyperthermia, authorities said.
“Also last Saturday, a disabled 10-year-old girl, Destiny Solomon, died from the heat at Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn, officials announced this week. She suffered from cerebral palsy and was confined to a wheelchair. A 94-year-old Brooklyn woman whose name was not released was killed by the heat that day, as well. The day before the four died, the city’s temperature peaked at 104 degrees.
“Heat is also suspected in the death Wednesday of Jacob Bower, a West Point cadet who died during a training exercise. Bower was laid to rest in West Virginia yesterday.” (New York Post. “100-Degree Heat Toll at 4 With Deaths of 2 Grannies.” 7-30-2011.)
Aug 9: “Three more elderly people have died in the city’s scorching summer heat wave — bringing the total number of local heat-related deaths to seven, officials said yesterday. Two Brooklyn residents — a 77-year-old woman and a 72-year-old man — succumbed to hyperthermia Aug. 1, when temperatures hit 92 degrees, authorities said. Both had underlying illnesses, according to a spokeswoman for the city Medical Examiner’s Office.
“On Thursday [Aug 4], an 84-year-old woman in The Bronx also passed away from the heat, which reached 85 degrees.
“The three victims were in addition to four people who died in the heat July 23, when the temperature soared to a record-setting 100 degrees. They included a 94-year-old woman, a 78-year-old woman and a 72-year-old woman, as well as a 10-year-old disabled girl.” (New York Post. “Three more heat deaths bring sad summer toll to 7.” 8-9-2011.)
Aug 13: “The city Medical Examiner’s Office yesterday linked four more deaths to the sweltering days of late July and early August, raising the heat wave’s death toll to 11. Among the latest victims were a 30-year-old Queens woman who died on July 22, a 36-year-old Brooklyn woman who succumbed on July 23 and a 33-year-old Brooklyn man who lost his life on Aug. 1. Each of the three had underlying medical problems, according to the medical examiner. The fourth victim was a 64-year-old woman from Brooklyn who died July 24. All of the previous victims had been elderly, with the sole exception having been a 10-year-old Brooklyn girl.
“The death toll now includes seven people from Brooklyn, three from The Bronx, and one from Queens.
“The temperature on July 22, when the 30-year-old woman died, reached 104 degrees — making it the apex of a massive heat wave that baked the Big Apple at the end of last month, with temps in the high 90s and low 100s.” (New York Post. “Heat Kills 4 More NYers,” Aug 13, 2011.
Sep 1: “The heat wave that gripped the city in late July is turning out to have been a fairly deadly one. Fourteen people are now certified to have died of weather-related hyperthermia, combined with other medical conditions, from July 22 to July 25, the city medical examiner’s office said Wednesday. Five more died of the heat in August, bringing the total for the summer to 19.
“The dead included a 10-year-old girl in Brooklyn and a 97-year-old woman in the Bronx who both succumbed on July 23, when the temperature hit 100 degrees, as well as a 48-year-old Manhattan woman who died on July 25, when the heat wave finally broke after nine straight days with highs of 89 degrees or above. The medical examiner’s office releases only the age, sex and borough for each death. While all the victims had other health problems, hyperthermia — body temperature above 105 degrees — due to “exposure to high environmental heat” was listed as the primary cause of death for each, said Ellen Borakove, the spokeswoman for the medical examiner’s office.
“The number of people who die from heat varies from year to year. Last summer, only 10 people died from the heat, but in 2008, 20 people died, and in 2006, the total was 27, Ms. Borakove said.
“The deadliest summer in recent memory was 1999, when a blackout compounded the effects of the heat and more than 40 people died over the course of several heat waves, Ms. Borakove said.
“Although the hottest day this summer was July 22 — with a high temperature of 104 degrees and a low of a sweltering 84 — more people died in subsequent days. Three people died on July 22; six on July 23 when the temperature hit 100; and five on July 24 when the high reached 91. On July 25, when the 48-year-old Manhattan woman died of heat, the high temperature was only 80.
“Emergency room visits due to heat stress and heat stroke typically peak two or three days after a heat wave begins, said Dr. Susi Vassallo, an attending physician at Bellevue Hospital Center and an associate professor of emergency medicine at New York University School of Medicine. “The third day is when people start coming in sick, because of the previous days’ stress on their cardiovascular systems,” Dr. Vassallo said. Dr. Vassallo said aggravating factors that frequently led to deaths from heat include congestive heart failure, diabetes, use of cocaine, and use of blood-pressure and antipsychotic medications that can hinder the body’s ability to dissipate heat. Determining a cause of death can take weeks, so the official toll could continue to rise even if temperatures remain normal for the remainder of the summer, Ms. Borakove said. The mercury last hit 90 in New York on Aug. 8. It is not expected to top 85 degrees over the next 10 days.”
(NYT. “19 Have Died of Heat This Summer, City Says.” 9-1-2011.)
Sep 1: “The number of heat-related deaths this year grew to 19, nearly double last year’s total, after the New York City Medical Examiner ruled Wednesday that eight more people died this summer as a result of being exposed to high temperatures.” (Wall Street Journal. “Toll Rises From Heat.” Sep 1, 2011.)
Oklahoma
OK State Dept. of Health: “In the United States, approximately 400 people die each year from extreme heat and 200 additional deaths occur with heat as a contributing factor….
“According to data from the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 33 heat-related deaths occurred in Oklahoma from May to September 2011. Persons ranged in age from 3 to 91 years of age; the average age was 52 years. Deaths increased with increasing age. Eighty-two percent of persons were male and 18% were female. Among males, 67% were age 45 and older; 26% were age 65 and older. Among females, half of the deaths were among those 65 and older. Seventy-three percent of persons were white, 9% African-American, 9% Hispanic, and 9% Native American….
“The weekly average high temperatures in central Oklahoma ranged from 77°F in May to 109°F in August… [p. 1]
“The location at onset of the heat-related injury was known for 32 cases. Forty-two percent were
outside at onset of injury, 36% were indoors, and 18% were in vehicles. Five deaths were work-related. Two persons died while incarcerated. The majority (53%) of persons 55 and older were inside at the onset of injury.
“Overall, 30% of persons tested positive for medications and/or illicit drugs. Chronic illnesses were present in 18 (55%) cases. Most of these people had more than one chronic illness. The most frequently occurring illnesses were hypertension (11), diabetes (8), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (5). Mental illness was present in 6 (18%) cases. According to body mass index (BMI) scores, 48% of adults who died were overweight or obese, 29% were normal weight, 10% were underweight, and the BMI was unknown for 13%. Oklahoma and Tulsa Counties recorded the highest number of deaths followed by Cleveland County…” [p. 2] (Oklahoma State Department of Health. “Heat-related Deaths in Oklahoma, 2011.” Injury Update: A Report to Oklahoma Injury Surveillance Participants, May 31, 2012.)
NCDC, July-Aug 10: “A strong ridge of high pressure that dominated the weather across the south central United States for much of July, continued through the first couple weeks of August. Unseasonably hot weather resulted across the region with official records at the Tulsa International Airport indicating that August 2011 was the 5th hottest August on record since 1905. During this period, the daily temperature exceeded 100 degrees and the hottest all-time temperature in Tulsa came to within two degrees of being broken on August 3rd when the temperature soared to 113 degrees. The humidity combined with this heat resulted in afternoon heat indices in the 105 to 115 degree range. Little relief from the heat was realized at night as temperatures only fell to near 80 degrees.” (National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Oklahoma, Choctaw, Aug 1-10, 2011.)
July 27: “EMSA officials urge people to take precautions in the hot temperatures, crews have treated a 8 people for heat related illnesses since Thursday night. So far this summer crews have treated 300 people for heat related illnesses. Heat is to blame for 14 deaths across the state, with 11 other cases still pending.
“The Oklahoma State Department of Health issued a public warning on the heat. Officials are urging people to take proper precautions in the dangerously high temperatures because overexposure can be fatal. OSDH is urging schools to avoid letting kids have recess outside and want everyone to be careful.” (Fox23.com (OK). “300 Treated…Heat…Illnesses.” 7-27-2011.)
Aug 3: “The heat-related death toll in Oklahoma has risen to 13, officials said. The record high temperature for Aug. 3 in Oklahoma City was broken Wednesday with a high of 109, but the record for hottest day recorded in the city wasn’t approached as expected. Two more heat-related deaths were confirmed Wednesday, pushing the state’s death toll this summer to 13.
“The July 7 death of Preston Mayhan, 8, of Cyril, was confirmed as heat-related, state medical examiner’s spokeswoman Cherokee Ballard said. Mayhan had crawled inside his mother’s car trunk.
“The death of an 85-year-old man found dead Tuesday in his Hartshorne home also was heat-related, Ballard said. His name was not released.
“Ten other deaths are being investigated for links to the heat, Ballard said.
“The temperature in Oklahoma City on Wednesday rose to 109 degrees, breaking the Aug. 3 record of 106 set three years ago, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters initially thought the all-time Oklahoma City heat record of 113 could be broken Wednesday, but wind shifts, slightly elevated humidity and late-afternoon rain in some parts of the metro area staved off the last few degrees.” (NewsOK. “Heat Death Toll Rises to 13…Oklahoma.” 8.3.2011)
Aug 5: “Oklahoma continued to bake under the intense summer heat on Friday, but no additional heat-related deaths were confirmed by the state medical examiner’s office.
“The deaths of at least 15 people have been attributed to the record-setting heat wave. Cherokee Ballard, spokeswoman for the state medical examiner, reported Friday than an additional two deaths might be attributed to the heat, but cause of death has not been confirmed. That brings to 12 the number of cases where heat is the suspected cause of death.
“Oklahoma City broke another single-day record Friday with a high of 110 degrees recorded at Will Rogers World Airport. The previous record for Aug. 5 was set in 1964 with a high of 106. Friday tied July 9 as the hottest day in Oklahoma City so far this summer….According to Oklahoma Mesonet readings, Kingfisher hit 113 degrees, and Shawnee and Okemah checked in at 111. The lowest reported afternoon high temperatures were in the Panhandle — Goodwell with 93 degrees and Hooker at 94.” (NewsOK.com. “More Heat in forecast but next week could bring relief.” 8-5-2011.)
Aug 19: “Oklahoma City — The Oklahoma state medical examiner’s office confirmed Friday that the number of heat-related deaths in the state has reached 17. Medical examiner’s office official Cherokee Ballard confirmed that two children had died. Seven deaths were still pending autopsies. Ballard said the Emergency Medical Services Authority received two heat calls on Friday. They reported 381 paramedic calls on heat-related issues since June 19.” (KOCO.com, Oklahoma City. “Okla. Heat Deaths Up To 17.” Aug 18, 2011.)
Aug 26: “The July 31 and Aug 1 deaths of two men have been confirmed as heat-related, the state medical examiner announces….and the total of heat-related deaths now stands at 19 for the year. Cherokee Ballard, spokeswoman for the state medical examiner’s office, said Ronny Adams, 65, of Lawton, died Aug. 1. Craig Hyder, 58, of Lexington, died July 31, Ballard said. Ballard said the medical examiner is investigating an additional four deaths, including that of a 24-year-old man, that are possibly heat-related….” (NewsOK.com. “Heat Death Toll Rises to 19.” Aug 26, 2011.)
Aug 31: “Oklahomans will remember the summer of 2011 as the hottest ever in the state, because as of Wednesday, it is. In 1934, the statewide average temperature for the climatological summer — June 1 through Aug. 31 — was 85.2 degrees. With mere tenths separating many years, this summer will cruise past that mark, as evidenced by a statewide average of 86.8 degrees through Monday, according to preliminary data from the Oklahoma Mesonet weather network. On a national level, Oklahoma will break the all-time summer record, but Texas will, as well. So it’s not clear which of the two states will have the warmest summer on record, McManus said. The record does not count only the daily high temperatures — which have typically been in the triple digits — but rather the statewide average temperatures that are all the highs and lows averaged together, along with various other factors included. Going into the year, Oklahoma held the top three slots for the hottest summer on record since records began in the U.S. in 1895. The Oklahoma summer of 1934 was followed by the 84.4 degrees of 1936 and the 84.3 degrees of 1980.
“This year has been destined for the record for the hottest summer on record for Oklahoma for some time. And numerous records have been broken along the way.
- The state’s heat wave broke a national record in July. The state’s average temperature for that month was 88.9 degrees. The previous record in the U.S. was 88.1 degrees, also set in Oklahoma in 1954.
- It’s possible that August will break a state record. Oklahoma’s statewide average was 87.5 degrees as of Monday and the record is 87.2 degrees from 1936.
- Also during this calendar year — not just this summer — Oklahoma City has broken the city’s record for triple-digit days with 57 days, replacing the 50 days of 1980. Tuesday’s high temperature in Oklahoma City was 103.
“Grandfield, Altus, Hollis and Tipton have each surpassed the previous state record of 86 days of triple-digit temperatures set at Hollis in 1956. Mangum could pass that mark, and Walters could equal it by the end of this week.
“Tragically, it’s been a deadly year in terms of heat, with 20 confirmed heat-related deaths so far, according to the state medical examiner’s office.
“…. why are Oklahoma summers so prominent among the hottest in the U.S. in terms of statewide average temperature? McManus said a lot of it has to do with Oklahoma’s geography. “We live in a state that’s in the interior, we’re landlocked,” he said. “We’re far enough south where we get plenty of sun. Now you might think of other states like Texas, or Arizona or Louisiana. These states you would think might be hotter, but the difference is they have a much more variable terrain than we do as far as elevation goes and influences by Gulf moisture, which tends to moderate temperatures.” (NewsOK. “Wednesday…end…hottest…summer…for Oklahoma.” 8-31-2011.)
“Heat death toll hits 21. The recent death [Aug 29] of a Watonga man was heat-related, the state medical examiner’s office reported.” (NewsOK. “Watonga man is 21st person to die of heat-related illness this summer in Oklahoma.” 9-3-2011.)
Pennsylvania
NCDC: “One of the most oppressive heat waves since mid July 1995 enveloped Eastern Pennsylvania from July 21st through the 24th….Many locations had high temperatures that reached into the 100s. The most oppressive day was July 22nd when the combination of temperature and dew points pushed afternoon heat index values over 105F and neared 120F in Philadelphia.
“There were twenty-five heat related deaths in Eastern Pennsylvania, twenty-two in Philadelphia, two in Montgomery County and one in Lehigh County. Most were elderly people with underlying health problems who were found indoors without air-conditioning. There were dozens upon dozens of cases of heat exhaustion and other heat related illnesses. The largest concentration occurred at the Philadelphia Phillies game at Citizen Bank Park on the 22nd.
“To combat the heat, many counties, cities and municipalities opened cooling centers. The hours of air-conditioned senior citizen centers were extended. Homeless shelters also extended their hours. County severe weather emergency phone lines were activated. In Philadelphia, the Corporation for Aging had councilors and nurses on the phone through Midnight EDT each day. The city opened sixty cooling centers. Philadelphia schools dismissed early on the 21st and cancelled all classes on the 22nd. People flocked to the malls, movie theaters and pools to keep cool. Construction workers adjusted their work days and started early. Paving work was postponed. Some municipalities enacted burning bans. Water and electrical service shutoffs were postponed. Home air-conditioning repairs, ice suppliers, automobile air conditioning repairs, chilly treat vendors all saw increases in demand as was an increase in water deliveries.
“The heat caused the buckling of U.S, Route 422 near Pottstown in Montgomery County. Utilities urged people to conserve electricity and water while many were setting usage records….
“Highest temperatures (all of which occurred on the 22nd) included 106 degrees in Reading (Berks County), 105 degrees in Pottstown (Montgomery County), 104 degrees at the Lehigh Valley International Airport, 103 degrees at the Philadelphia International Airport and Doylestown (Bucks County), 102 degrees in Quakertown (Bucks County) and 94 degrees in Mount Pocono (Monroe County). The highest hourly heat index at the Philadelphia International Airport was 119 degrees on the 22nd. No official records on heat index are kept, but it was believed this was the highest hourly heat index in Philadelphia since July 15, 1995. At the Philadelphia International Airport, the 103 degree high temperature on the 22nd was the hottest day since July 3, 1966 (103 degrees) and the 4th highest maximum temperature on record. The minimum temperature of 83 degrees on the 23rd tied July 24, 2010 with the highest minimum temperature on record. The monthly average temperature of 82.4 degrees was not only the warmest July on record, but also the warmest month ever. The 21 days in which the maximum temperature reached 90 degrees or high is in a four way tie for the most in any July and any month. At the Lehigh Valley International Airport, the 104 degree high temperature on the 22nd was the second hottest day on record second only to July 3, 1966 (105 degrees). The minimum temperature of 78 degrees on the 22nd was the second highest minimum temperature on record. The monthly average temperature of 78.0 degrees tied for the third warmest July on record, but also tied the third warmest month ever. At the Reading Regional Airport, the monthly average temperature of 80.4 degrees was the second warmest July and month on record to 1955 (81.5 degrees). The 20 days in which the maximum temperature reached 90 degrees or high tied with 1955 and 1999 as the most for any July or any month. At the Pocono Municipal Airport in Mount Pocono, the monthly average temperature of 71.9 degrees was the second warmest July and month on record only surpassed by 1949 (72.5 degrees). This heat wave helped make July 2011 the sixth hottest July on record for the state of Pennsylvania with a statewide average temperature of 74.4 degrees.” (National Climatic Data Center, NOAA, Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 21-24, 2011.)
July 24: “The 100-degree temperatures may have contributed to the death of a 67-year-old Germantown man Saturday. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the man was found in his home with the windows closed without air conditioning. It is the fifth heat-related death in Pennsylvania.
“Saturday’s high topped out at 101-degrees at 3:49 p.m. setting new record for this date. The average high temperature for this time of year is 86-degrees….
“The National Weather Service says heat is the number one cause for weather-related deaths in the U.S. On average, more people are killed by heat in the U.S. than are by tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and lightning combined, according to the Weather Service.” (Newsworks.org. “Heat Blamed for Germantown Death.” 7-24-2011.)
July 28: “What is almost certain to become the warmest July on record in Philadelphia already has been blamed for at least 25 deaths in the region, including six announced Wednesday.
“With the sixth heat wave due to start Thursday, this summer has become the deadliest hot-weather season in Philadelphia since 2008, when the death toll reached 26. And it has the potential to become the deadliest since 2002, when 40 heat-related fatalities were tallied.
“The death toll from last week’s heat wave alone could climb higher as more bodies are found, and one expert said the standing numbers might be underreported by half or more. The deaths “are really grossly underestimated,” said Laurence Kalkstein, research professor at the University of Miami, who helped the city develop its lauded heat-alert program. Logistically, he said, the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office simply can’t get to all the victims.
“Of the most recently announced deaths, all six were males, ranging in age from 44 to 81, and all had background heart conditions, said city Health Department spokesman Jeff Moran. The city did not disclose precisely where the bodies were found – only that three were discovered in the Northeast, one in Northwest Philadelphia, one in North Philadelphia, and one in South Philadelphia. Four were found Monday and two Tuesday.
“In addition to the 22 deaths in Philadelphia from last week’s hot spell, two were reported in Montgomery County, and one in Burlington County. Three other deaths were reported before the most recent heat wave.
The true total in the city may be more than double the reported tally, said Kalkstein. The final figures will not be available for perhaps two years, until daily mortality statistics are finalized.
“On Friday, the official high temperature in Philadelphia reached 103; it felt like 119. Temperatures are heading back into the high 90s on Friday and Saturday, although the discomfort levels aren’t expected to match last week’s. However, the fresh pulse of heat is likely to propel July 2011 into the record books. Based on the forecasts, the July average temperature would finish at 82.4 – 0.3 degrees above the current champ, 1994, at 82.1. Last July is No. 2, at 81.7. Temperatures were quite similar to this July’s, but the air masses this year have been swollen with water vapor that has made a mockery of sweat. “The record temperatures are one thing,” said Eli Jackson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service headquarters outside Washington. “But what has made this summer remarkable is the humidity.” If it’s any consolation, the heat hasn’t been picking on just us. Said Jackson, “Nationwide, it’s been extremely widespread.” (Philly.com. “Region’s Heat-Related Death Toll…25.” 7-28-2011.)
July 29: “Middletown — The death of an 81-year-old Brookhaven woman discovered at her home July 24 may be heat-related. As the region faces another heat wave set to begin Friday, Eleanor Murray’s death stands as one of more than 20 already claimed by the heat in the Philadelphia area. Murray was found unresponsive in her home on the 200 block of Forestview Road and pronounced dead at 3:27 p.m. by responding paramedics. The residence was described as being hot. Though the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s office has listed Murray’s manner of death as “undetermined,” the findings sheet said the cause of death was “arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease associated with inanition, with probable dehydration and exposure to hot enclosed environment….A heat wave is defined as three days that reach 90 degrees or higher.” (Daily Times, Delaware Co., PA. “Brookhaven…Death Blamed on…Heat Wave.” 7-29-2011.)
July 29: “With the region baking toward its hottest July on record, the sixth heat wave of the season is under way, and it could rival last week’s for duration. Officially, the temperature reached 92 at Philadelphia International Airport, with a heat index of 101. While that’s certainly muggy enough to make a shirt stick to the skin, it’s a relative day at the beach compared with last Friday’s index of 119.
“At least one more heat-related death was reported today – this one in Chester, Delaware County – bringing the region’s summer total to at least 29. The body of Janie Johnson, 76, was found at her home in the 100 block of Worrell Street, according to the Delaware County medical examiner. As most of the other victims this season, she had a background heart condition.
“The heat spell that kicked off today won’t rival last week’s in intensity, but right now it is forecast to hit 90 or better for at least seven more days – with at least seven more steamy nights. Thus, it all but certain that this month will finish a few tenths of a degree warmer than July 1994, the reigning warmth king in the 138-year period of record. Today marked the 19th day of the month and 27th of the season of 90-degree highs. But this time last year, when Philadelphia had its warmest summer on record, so far, that total stood at 36. July 2010 finished right behind 1994. As Eli Jackson, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service headquarters, outside Washington, pointed out, last year’s heat was accompanied by drier air.
That’s probably why the Philadelphia heat-related death toll was only five in 2010. This summer, it stands at 25, 22 of those occurring last week. Two deaths were recorded in Montgomery County, and one in Burlington.
“This year the intense heat has conspired with high humidity to create dangerous conditions. Jackson blamed the oppressive air mass on an “extraordinary” ridge of high pressure that had superheated the South. That heat was transported to the north, where the air was filled with water vapor.
“It has been a busy season for the Philadelphia Corporation for the Aging, which operates at heat-line when the city and the National Weather Service post heat warnings. So far, the agency has taken over 1,300 calls from Philadelphia residents during the three activations, according to PCA’s Chris Gallagher. In the benign summer of 2009, by comparison, it received just 131.
“This has become the deadliest hot-weather season in Philadelphia since 2008, when heat was blamed for 26 deaths.” (Philly.com. “Summer Heat Death Toll…Climbs to…29.” 7-29-2011.)
Tennessee
July 13: “Another person has succumbed to the heat wave, bringing to five the number of deaths attributed to high temperatures this summer. A 64-year-old man was found inside his residence…July 13, Shelby County Health Department officials said Monday. The man was last seen alive July 9. The man was known to turn off his air conditioning at night; it was off when his body was discovered. Officials believe heat was a contributing factor in his death.” (Commercial Appeal, Memphis. “Shelby County heat-related death toll reaches five.” 8-8-2011.)
Aug 4: “This week’s smothering heat wave appears to have contributed to the deaths of a Memphis police officer and a city sanitation worker, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton said today. Officer Anthony Rahming, 48, was pronounced dead at 5 a.m. today at Saint Francis Hospital, where he had been taken by relatives. He left work at about 7 p.m. Wednesday after becoming ill. “It appears that while on duty he got sick, and we think heat was a contributing factor,” said Police Director Toney Armstrong. “He went home sick and some time during the night his condition worsened.”….
“Wednesday’s temperature reached a record high for the date of 106, with a heat index several degrees higher. And it didn’t cool much overnight. Among those treated for heat exhaustion were five Germantown firefighters who battled a blaze early this morning. The high temperatures may also have contributed to the death of Jerdean Dean Johnson, 65. He was found dead in his home about 7 a.m. today. He had been a truck driver with the city’s Solid Waste Management Service Center for more than 40 years, according to his niece, Lois Taylor, 50. His body was discovered at his Orange Mound apartment at 2931 Park.” (Commercial Appeal, Memphis. “Deaths…Linked to Heat.” 8-4-2011.)
Aug 15: “Two more people succumbed to the heat in recent days, bringing the toll this year to seven, officials said Monday. On Aug. 8, a man in his late 60s was found inside his home in the 38128 ZIP code, three days after he was last seen alive. The home did not have a working air conditioner, Health Department spokesman Heather Reynolds said. On Aug. 13, a 46-year-old man was found in his apartment in the 38111 ZIP code. He was last seen Aug. 9. He had a working air conditioner but it was not on.” (Commercial Appeal. “Two more heat-related deaths reported in Memphis area; toll rises to 7.” 8-15-2011.)
Texas
Aug, North TX: “Brutal triple digit daytime temperatures and warm overnight lows continued to occur across north Texas through the month of August. Only 3 scattered days provided relief from the record-setting heat. By the time August ended, it had been the warmest summer on record in both Dallas/Fort Worth and Waco. The average temperature for the summer months at DFW was 90.1, and the average temperature at Waco was 90.5. From June 30th – August 12th, Waco set a new record greatest consecutive 100-degree days of 44 days. Both DFW and Waco set new record greatest annual 100-degree days for the summer months with a few additional days in the month of September. Many daily high temperatures records and highest minimum temperature records were set or tied during the month of August. Dallas/Fort Worth again tied the all-time record highest minimum temperature of 86 degrees set in July 2011, and Waco set the all-time record highest minimum temperature of 86 degrees on the 2nd. The prolonged heat took its toll on North Texans and there were 27 heat related deaths and many more heat related illnesses. An Excessive Heat Warning was in effect for all but the southwestern counties the first 5 days of the month. A Heat Advisory was in effect for all or parts of north Texas for most of the remainder of the month except for a few days in the middle of the month.
“Triple digit temperatures were recorded nearly every day during the month of August. According to the medical examiner, one person died on the 6th as a result of the heat. A heat advisory was in effect for several days during the month after the Excessive Heat Warning ended on the morning of the 6th.” (National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Fannin, Aug 6-31, 2011.)
Aug 1: “On Monday [Aug 1], Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas) defensive coordinator Wade McClain, 55, died after collapsing during his team’s first mandatory practice. Monday was the 31st consecutive day of 100-degree heat in the Dallas area. Heat was ruled the cause.” (Maxpreps.com. “Heat Brings Tragedy…Southern High School Football.” 8-4-2011.)
Aug 2: “Houston, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) — Twelve people have died from the heat in the U.S. city of Dallas this summer, as a record-breaking heat wave is scorching many U.S. states, officials said Tuesday. Dallas, the third largest city in Texas, has had over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) for 32 straight days as of Tuesday, with 12 heat deaths confirmed since mid-June, according to the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s office. Temperatures are expected to reach record highs this week in several major Texas cities, including Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.
“Parts of at least 14 U.S. states have been suffering from extremely high temperatures, according to the National Weather Service. Moreover, the blazing temperatures have caused dozens of deaths across the central United States, U.S. media reported.” (Xinhuanet.com. “Heat Claims 12 Lives in U.S. City of Dallas.” Aug 3, 2011.)
Aug 3: “The first heat-related death in Killeen was confirmed Wednesday. A preliminary autopsy report obtained from Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke’s office shows that 69-year-old Ronald Henry Lease died as a result of being exposed to high temperatures. Police found Lease’s body during a welfare check of his home in the 200 block of West Green Street in north Killeen Monday. Cooke pronounced Lease dead at 6:53 p.m. Monday. A medical examiner at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas determined hyperthermia combined with ongoing health problems caused Lease’s death. The official cause of death is listed as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease complicated by hyperthermia, the report states. Cooke said Lease’s death was the first caused in part by record-high temperatures.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lease fell into the high-risk category for people susceptible to heat-related deaths. People over 65, infants and sufferers of chronic health conditions are most at risk to die because of high temperatures. The agency lists air conditioning as the No. 1 way to prevent heat-related deaths. It suggests everyone should drink more cold non-alcoholic fluids during times of extreme heat, according to its website.
“Killeen has been struck with extreme temperatures over the entire summer. According to the weather tracking website Intellicast, Killeen has broken record-high temperatures nine of the last 14 days. The highest recorded temperature was 109 degrees Tuesday. The National Weather Service forecast another record-high temperature today. The seven-day forecast calls for temperatures to remain above 100 degrees.” (Killeen Daily Herald, TX. “Killeen Records First Heat-Related Death.” 8-3-2011.)
Aug 6: “Houston (KTRK) — Two women were found dead in a home in southeast Houston, and police say the heat may be to blame. The bodies were found Saturday at a home in the 5800 block of Ardmore St. near S. MacGregor Way. According to investigators with the Houston Police Department, the victims were dead in the home for a couple days. A neighbor called the police to report a foul odor coming from the residence. The identities of the women have not been released. Officials said one was in her 50s and the other was in her 80s. Investigators believe the deaths are heat-related.” (KTRK TV, Houston, TX. “HPD: Deaths of two Women May Be Heat-Related.” 8-6-2011.)
Aug 6: “….So far, Austin seems to have dodged a bullet. As of last week, the Dallas County medical examiner had attributed 14 deaths this summer to heat, but Austin officials have yet to confirm heat as a cause in any death this summer.” (American Statesman, Austin. “City of Austin Created Emergency Heat Plan After 2009 Heat Wave.” 8-10-2011.)
Aug 8: “Fort Worth — She had been treated for cancer and was still recovering from a recent hospital stay, but 72-year-old Janet Locklin wasn’t one to take it easy. “She was a very outgoing person and rather unstoppable, you might say,” her son, Don Mark Dominey, said Monday. “She was constantly on the go and hated to not be able to do things.” On Sunday, Locklin was apparently doing chores outside her east Fort Worth home when she collapsed on the driveway near her car. A couple spotted her and called 911, but Locklin was pronounced dead at 3:12 p.m. at John Peter Smith Hospital. The Tarrant County medical examiner’s office ruled that the cause of her death was heatstroke — the second heat-related death in Tarrant County this year.
“About 2 p.m. Sunday, the temperature was 101 and the heat index in Fort Worth was 102, the National Weather Service reported. Monday’s high at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport was 105 — the 38th consecutive day of triple-digit highs — and the overnight low of 84 broke the daily record set in 1947, the weather service reported. Today’s forecast is worse: a high of 109 with a heat index of 112. Triple-digit highs are forecast through Sunday with “virtually zero” chance of rain, the weather service said….
“Since June 25, Dallas County has reported 14 heat-related deaths, according to Dallas County Health and Human Services. The other heat-related death in Tarrant County involved a 52-year-old man who, like Locklin, had underlying health issues, officials said….” (Star-Telegram. “Fort Worth…death…county’s second…heat.” 8-8-2011.)
Aug 11: “Melvin Wayne Moore told his worried family that Tuesday would mark his last day of work driving a tow truck without functioning air-conditioning and a hole in the floorboard. Later that afternoon, a passer-by saw the 60-year-old passing out along an Elgin road as temperatures soared toward the triple-digit mark.
“In Marble Falls, 83-year-old Karl William Holdren Jr. was found dead Tuesday along his dirt road driveway outside of his home.
“Although both men had pre-existing histories of cardiovascular disease, the primary cause of death in both cases was ruled hyperthermia, marking Central Texas’ first heat-related deaths this summer, according to the Travis County medical examiner’s office….
“The deaths bring a sobering reality to the merciless flow of record-breaking temperatures that have gripped the region in recent weeks. Until Tuesday, the area had escaped the heat-related fatalities seen in other parts of the state such as Dallas, which has reported more than a dozen such deaths….
“On Tuesday, the temperature reached 100 degrees at Camp Mabry in Austin shortly before 2 p.m. before topping out at 106 degrees before 5 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. It was one in a series of hot days, with Thursday marking the 26th straight day of triple-digit weather — and the 58th triple-digit day of the year. “The heat is going to continue for some time,” said Robert Blaha, meteorologist for the service. “When will it stop? It will probably take a few weeks, maybe later this month or September.” A heat advisory was extended Thursday to tonight , warning residents of high temperatures soaring to 105 degrees or more, the service said….
“In Marble Falls, Holdren went outside onto his 15-acre property about 9 a.m. Tuesday, said Sarah Scott, chief administrative officer for the medical examiner’s office. Holdren suffered from dementia, Scott said. By noon, Holdren’s wife, a retired nurse, searched for her husband in the rising temperatures but could not find him. She looked again and found him that night near their property’s gated entrance, Scott said. She attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead shortly after 8 p.m., Scott said.
“In Moore’s case, he was seen passing out next to his tow truck along the 1300 block of County Line Road in Elgin shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday, Scott said. The Liberty Hill resident had been driving without air conditioning for two or three days, Nadeen Moore said. Emergency responders conducted CPR on Melvin Moore as they took him to St. David’s Medical Center in Austin, but he had suffered brain damage and was pronounced dead the following morning, Nadeen Moore said. The day before he died, Melvin Moore came home very tired from his odd job hauling salvage vehicles, his mother said. But his blood pressure was fine, and he decided to go to work the next day anyway, his mother said.”(Statesman.com., Austin. “Two area deaths attributed to heat.” 8-11-2011.)
Aug 16: “Temperatures continue to blaze past the century mark on a daily basis and this leaves many here in Laredo vulnerable to heat related illnesses. There have already been several cases of deaths this past week alone….According to the Webb County Medical Examiner, over the past seven days there have been five deaths here in the Laredo area because of heat illness and each of them were avoidable. “Three were crossers, those attempting to cross the border between Mexico and the United States that succumbed to the heat out on the ranches. But we’ve also had two individuals that died in their homes.” Both of those people were elderly who are much more sensitive to these high temperatures. “Their bodies can’t cope with the heat as a normal adult would.” Not only were they elderly but each of them also was without air conditioning in their homes.
“The medical examiner says fans can help keep your home cool if you follow some simple tips. “There has to be cross ventilation otherwise you’re just circulating hot air in the house and it’s even that much more dangerous. The best thing to do is put a fan in front of the window and you can also put a pan or bowl of ice in front of the fan to blow cooler air”.” (Pro8News.com, Laredo. “Heat Contributing to Laredo Elderly’s Deaths.” 8-15-2011.)
Aug 17: “Two elderly women who died this week pushed Dallas County’s heat-related death toll to 16 this summer, the medical examiner’s office said Wednesday. An additional 19 deaths are being investigated for possible connections to the ongoing heat wave — a complicated task that serves as a public warning.” (Dallas Morning News. “Heat now blamed for 16 deaths in Dallas County.” 8-17-2011.)
Sep 13 (Tuesday): “Record watchers in Dallas had something to cheer about on Tuesday, or lament, depending on their point of view after this summer officially logged more triple-digit days in north Texas than any other on record. “We made it,” said Jesse Moore, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Fort Worth. “We tied the record on Monday and beat it on Tuesday.”…. But beating the heat was no picnic. The hopes of many competitive-minded north Texans were dashed when they came close but narrowly missed breaking a record streak of consecutive 100-degree days in August. A brief thunderstorm skimmed the area on August 11, breaking the streak at 40 days. The record was, and still is, 42 days of triple-digit days, set in 1980. But then on Tuesday, the mercury climbed to 100 degrees about noon, marking the 70th day of triple-digit heat this summer and beating a record of 69 days of such heat set in 1980…. A second record was broken as well when the temperature hit 106 degrees on Tuesday, a new record for that day….
“At least 46 deaths have been blamed on the heat in north Texas, including 17 in Dallas County, according to officials with weather service and the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office. Devastating wildfires — spawned by high temperatures, wind and dry conditions — have raged across much of the state, charring more than 3.6 million acres, destroying thousands of homes and resulting in multiple deaths since November….” (Reuters. “Dallas Breaks much-awaited heat record, with mixed emotions.” 9-13-2011.)
Wisconsin
July 25: “A third death related to last week’s heat wave has been confirmed by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The victim was an 80-year-old Illinois man who was staying at in Marquette County, according to the Marquette County coroner. The man had underlying health issues.
“The other two deaths were an 82-year-old woman in Crawford County and a 65-year-old man in Fountain Prairie [Columbia Co.]….” (Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee. “Third Heat-Related Death in Wisconsin Confirmed.” 7-25-2011.)
July 26: “The death toll from last week’s heat wave in Wisconsin has risen to three – and a possible fourth death is being investigated. State officials said yesterday that an 80-year-old Illinois man died from heat-related causes while staying at his second home in Marquette County. Officials said the man had underlying health issues when he collapsed after spending time in the 90-plus temperatures. It happened last Tuesday.
“Meanwhile, Polk County authorities said an autopsy will determine if 25-year-old Matthew Coon of rural Luck died from the heat. His body was found Sunday in a wooded area, after he was missing since last Wednesday. Officials said Coon was in a vehicle with friends when he decided to get out and walk home. The temperature was in the mid-90’s at the time. Coon’s family reported him missing a couple days later. A search took place during the weekend. Polk County Sheriff Pete Johnson said the death is not suspicious, and it might have been caused by the heat. Wisconsin’s other two heat-related deaths were those of an 82-year-old woman in Crawford County, and a 65-year-old in Columbia County.” (WTAQ.com, Green Bay, WI “Heat Wave Blamed for Three Deaths.” 7-26-2011.)
Aug 9: “The July 23 death of a 65-year-old Sparta woman is being blamed on the heat wave that blanketed the state, according to a report from Wisconsin Emergency Management. That brings the death toll from the July 15-24 heat wave up to five. According to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office, the woman did not have air conditioning in her home, and she also had an underlying health condition.
“The four previous heat-related deaths also were of the elderly, in Sauk, Marquette, Crawford and Columbia Counties.” (Madison.com. “Fifth State Death Attributed to Heat Wave.” 8-9-2011)
Aug 10: “Sparta — total of five deaths in Wisconsin have bee attributed to the recent hot, humid conditions, according to the Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center. The latest heat-related death was a 65-year-old Sparta woman who died July 23, according to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office. She did not have air conditioning in her home and she also had an underlying health condition. The five heat-related deaths in Wisconsin occurred between July 15 and 24.” (Beloit Daily News, WI. “Heat Deaths in State Climb.” Aug 10, 2011.)
Narrative Information
(On Heat)
CDC. “Heat-Related Deaths – [U.S.], 1999-2003,” MMWR, V55, N29, 7-28-2006, 796-798:
“Heat-related illnesses (e.g., heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, or heatstroke) can occur when high ambient temperatures overcome the body’s natural ability to dissipate heat. Older adults, young children, and persons with chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible to these illnesses and are at high risk for heat-related mortality. Previous analyses of the risk factors associated with heat-related deaths have been based on the underlying cause entered on the death certificate. The analysis revealed that including these deaths increased the number of heat-related deaths by 54% and suggested that the number of heat-related deaths is underestimated.
“CDC uses information from death certificates categorized by codes from the International Classification of Diseases to estimate national mortality trends. These data, collected and submitted by states, were used to determine the number of deaths in the United States during 1999–2003 that had exposure to excessive natural heat§ recorded as the underlying cause (code X30 from ICD, tenth revision [ICD-10]), hyperthermia recorded as a contributing factor (ICD-10 code T67) (6), or both….
“Editorial Note: In this analysis, the inclusion of hyperthermia as a contributing cause of death increased by 54% the total number of heat-related deaths during 1999–2003 that would have been counted through inclusion of a heat-related underlying cause alone. Because heat-related illnesses can exacerbate existing medical conditions and death from heat exposure can be preceded by various symptoms, heat-related deaths can be difficult to identify when illness onset or death is not witnessed by a clinician. In addition, the criteria used to determine heat-related causes of death vary among states. This can lead to underreporting heat-related deaths or to reporting heat as a factor contributing to death rather than the underlying cause.
“Continued exposure to excessive heat can lead to hyperthermia or death. Of the heat-related illnesses, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are the most serious. Heat exhaustion is characterized by muscle cramps, fatigue, headache, nausea or vomiting, and dizziness or fainting. The skin is often cool and moist, indicating that the body’s mechanism for cooling itself (i.e., sweating) is still functioning. The pulse rate is typically fast and weak, and breathing is rapid and shallow. If untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke. Heatstroke is a serious, life-threatening condition characterized by a high body temperature (>103ºF [>39.4ºC]); red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; and unconsciousness. Symptoms can progress to encephalopathy, liver and kidney failure, coagulopathy, and multiple organ system dysfunction. Prompt treatment of heat-related illnesses with aggressive fluid replacement and cooling of core body temperature is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality.
“Many heat-related deaths, regardless of whether they are associated with chronic medical conditions, are preventable. During periods of extreme heat, heat-related illnesses can be prevented by avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, drinking adequate amounts of fluid, avoiding alcohol consumption, wearing lightweight clothing, and using air-conditioning. Groups at high risk include young children, persons aged >65 years, persons who do strenuous activities outdoors, and persons with chronic (particularly cardiovascular) medical conditions.”
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) on Heat-Related Deaths (11-21-2023):
“When people are exposed to extreme heat, they can suffer from potentially deadly illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Hot temperatures can also contribute to deaths from heart attacks, strokes, and other forms of cardiovascular disease. Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, even though most heat-related deaths are preventable through outreach and intervention (see EPA’s Excessive Heat Events Guidebook at: www.epa.gov/heat-islands/excessive-heat-events-guidebook).
Unusually hot summer temperatures have become more common across the contiguous 48 states in recent decades…extreme heat events (heat waves) have become more frequent and intense… and these trends are expected to continue. As a result, the risk of heat-related deaths and illness is also expected to increase.[199] The “urban heat island” effect accentuates the problem by causing even higher temperatures in densely developed urban areas. Reductions in cold-related deaths are projected to be smaller than increases in heat-related deaths in most regions. Death rates can also change, however, as people acclimate to higher temperatures and as communities strengthen their heat response plans and take other steps to continue to adapt.
“Certain population groups already face higher risks of heat-related death, and increases in summertime temperature variability will increase that risk. The population of adults aged 65 and older, which is expected to continue to grow, has a higher-than-average risk of heat-related death. Children are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than adults, and they must rely on others to help keep them safe. People with certain diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, are especially vulnerable to excessive heat exposure, as are the economically disadvantaged. Data also suggest a higher risk among non-Hispanic Blacks.”
Trent, CA Dept. of Health Services on Heat-Related (HR) Illness: “HR illness is described according to three stages of increasing severity:
- Heat cramps. Mild and easy to treat, this level involves fevers generally under 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat exhaustion: Involves fevers over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, often with vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue.
- Heat stroke: A severe and life-threatening failure of body’s ability to cool (e.g., sweating ceases), with fevers over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat stroke can result in organ and neurologic damage and lead quickly to death.” (p. 3)
“Exertional heat stroke tends to occur among younger (under 50 years old), healthier persons who develop heat stroke after strenuous activity and inadequate hydration. The result is dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Exposures may involve work or recreational activities outdoors.
“Classic heat stroke tends to occur among persons who are older (over 50 years old), frail, and with chronic diseases. They may take medications, have psychological or cognitive problems, and live alone. They are assumed to have a compromised thermoregulatory response due to their age, illnesses, and medications. They generally are not in an air conditioned space when discovered with heat stroke symptoms or deceased.” (p. 5)
(Trent, Roger B., Ph.D. (CA Dept. of Health Services). Review of July 2006 Heat Wave Related Fatalities in California. Sacramento, CA: Epidemiology and Prevention for Injury Control Branch, California Department of Health Services, May 2007.)
Associated Press (Anita Snow and Kendria Lafleur), Mishmash of how US heat deaths are counted complicates efforts to keep people safe as Earth warms.” 8-13-2023:
“….Even when it seems obvious that extreme heat was a factor, death certificates don’t always reflect the role it played. Experts say a mishmash of ways more than 3,000 counties calculate heat deaths means we don’t really know how many people die in the U.S. each year because of high temperatures in an ever warming world.
“That imprecision harms efforts to better protect people from extreme heat because officials who set policies and fund programs can’t get the financial and other support needed to make a difference….Currently, about the only consistency in counting heat deaths in the U.S. is that officials and climate specialists acknowledge fatalities are grossly undercounted…
“ ‘It’s frustrating that for 90 years public health officials in the United States have not had a good picture of heat-related mortality because we have such a bad data system,’ said Dr. David Jones, a Harvard Medical School professor who also teaches in the epidemiology department at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
“There is no uniformity among who does the counting across U.S. jurisdictions. Death investigations in some places might be carried out by a medical examiner, typically a physician trained in forensic pathology. In other locales, the coroner could be an elected sheriff, such as the one in Orange County, California. In some small counties in Texas, a justice of peace might determine cause of death. Utah and Massachusetts are among states that do not track heat-related deaths where exposure to extreme heat was a secondary factor.
“The CDC, which is often several years behind in reporting, draws information on heat deaths from death certificate information included in local, state, tribal and territorial databases. The CDC said in a statement that coroners and others who fill out death certificates ‘are encouraged to report all causes of death,’ but they may not always associate those contributing causes to an extreme heat exposure death and include the diagnostic codes for heat illnesses.
“Hess, the Arizona coroner [Pima County medical examiner], said determining environmental heat was a factor in someone’s death is difficult and can take weeks or even months of investigation including toxicological tests. ‘If someone was shot in the head, it’s pretty obvious what happened there,’ Hess said. ‘But when you find a body in a hot apartment 48 hours after they died, there is a lot of ambiguity.’ Hess noted that Pima County this year began including heat-related deaths in its tally of environmental heat fatalities….”
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Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office. “Father Who Left Child in Hot Car Will Not be Charged with Criminal Act.” 8-9-2011. Accessed 7-22-2015 at: http://scsolicitor5.org/Home/PressReleases/TabId/220/ArtMID/718/ArticleID/286/Father-Who-Left-Child-in-Hot-Car-Will-Not-be-Charged-with-Criminal-Act.aspx
Fox News. “Feeling Hot? Take This.” 8-5-2011. Accessed 8-6-2011 at: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/08/05/feeling-hot-take-this/
Fox 4 News, Dallas. “Toddler’s Hot Car Death ‘Tragic Accident,’ Police Say.” 8-26-2011. Accessed 7-21-2015 at: http://www.fox4news.com/story/17490501/toddlers-hot-car-death-tragic-accident-police-say
Fox2now, St. Louis. “5th Heat Related Death Reported in St. Louis County.” 8-10-2011. At: http://www.fox2now.com/news/ktvi-heat-death-st-louis-county-080911,0,2830866.story
Fox23.com, OK. “300 Treated for Heat Related Illnesses.” 7-27-2011. Accessed at: http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/300-treated-for-heat-related-illnesses/VsZX_Ds0rk6hA0z4ZwB_PQ.cspx
Gadsden Times, AL. “Heat Blamed in Five Alabama Deaths Since May.” 7-14-2011. At: http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20110714/WIRE/110719838/1194?Title=Heat-blamed-in-five-Alabama-deaths-since-May
Huang, Pien, Alyson Hurt, and Carmel Wroth. “This CDC data shows where rates of heat-related illness are highest.” GPB (PBS/NPR), Atlanta. 7-26-2023. Accessed 2-19-2023 at: https://www.gpb.org/news/shots-health-news/2023/07/26/cdc-data-shows-where-rates-of-heat-related-illness-are-highest
Idaho Transportation Department. “Today’s News Briefs.” Cites Oklahoman (Byran Dean), Oklahoma City. “Oklahomans swelter as infrastructure begins cracking in heat wave.” 7-19-2011. Accessed 7-22-2015 at: http://apps.itd.idaho.gov/Apps/MediaManagerMVC/NewsClipping.aspx/Preview/57807
International Business Times. “Heat Wave Responsible for More Than 60 Deaths.” 7-27-2011. At: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/187912/20110727/heat-wave-64-us-deaths-4000-iowa-cattle-central-states-heat-index.htm
Joplin Globe, MO. “Joplin Death Linked to Heat.” Aug 2, 2011. Accessed at: http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x2001448745/Joplin-death-linked-to-heat
Journal-Courier (AP) Jacksonville, IL. “3 more Illinoisans die from heat-related causes.” 8-4-2011, p. 3. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/jacksonville/jacksonville-courier/2011/08-04/page-3?tag
Journal Review Online (Jamie Barrand), Crawfordsville, IN. “Infant’s family speaks out.” 9-16-2011. Accessed 7-21-2015 at: http://www.journalreview.com/news/article_cba291f2-dfff-11e0-bcd9-001cc4c03286.html
Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee. “Third Heat-Related Death in Wisconsin Confirmed,” 7-25-2011. Accessed 8-6-2011 at: http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/126141403.html
Kansas City Star, MO. “3 More Heat Deaths Suspected,” 8-3-2011. Accessed at: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/03/3054569/3-more-heat-deaths-suspected.html
Kennesaw Patch (Gaetana Pipia). “Woman Charged in Death of Infant Left in Car.” 6-5-2011. Accessed 7-25-2015 at: http://patch.com/georgia/kennesaw/woman-charged-in-death-of-infant-left-in-car
KHOU, Houston. “Mother of dead 4-year-old hopes others avoid her tragic mistake.” 5-2-2012. Accessed 7-22-2015 at: http://www.khou.com/story/news/2014/07/19/11710054/
KidsAndCars.org. “Heat Stroke.” Olathe, KS, 2015. Accessed 7-21-2015 at: http://www.kidsandcars.org/heatstroke.html
Killeen Daily Herald, TX. “Killeen Records First Heat-Related Death.” 8-3-2011. Accessed at: http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?s=59131
KJZZ 91.5, Maricopa County, AZ (Carrie Jung). “Big Drop in Arizona Heat-Related Deaths in 2014.” 5-8-2015. Accessed at: http://kjzz.org/content/136935/big-drop-arizona-heat-related-deaths-2014
Koco.com, Oklahoma City. “Okla. Heat Deaths Up To 17.” 8-18-2011. Accessed 8-19-2011 at: http://www.koco.com/mostpopular/28920972/detail.html
KSDK.com. “Jerry Besterfeldt of Alton dies from heat exposure.” 8-3-2011. Accessed 7-29-2015 at: http://archive.ksdk.com/news/regional/article/270077/16/Alton-man-dies-from-heat-exposure
KTAR, Glendale. “Valley braces for another day of 115-degree heat.” 6-28-2011. Accessed 7-12-2012: http://ktar.com/category/local-news-articles/20110628/Scorching-heat-wave-claims-first-victim
KTRK TV, Houston, TX. “HPD: Deaths of two Women May Be Heat-Related.” 8-6-2011. Accessed 8-6-2011 at: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8293042
Las Vegas Review Journal (Teghan Simonton and Michael Scott Davidson). “‘Alarming’ trend continues as Vegas heat deaths hit decade peak in 2021.” 6-30-2022. Accessed 2-19-2024 at: https://www.reviewjournal.com/investigations/alarming-trend-continues-as-vegas-heat-deaths-hit-decade-peak-in-2021-2600806/
Madison.com. “Fifth State Death Attributed to Heat Wave.” 8-9-2011. Accessed 8-11-2011 at: http://host.madison.com/news/local/article_29e07dac-c277-11e0-9a3f-001cc4c002e0.html
Madison.com. “Footnote: Have there been more heat deaths than usual this year?” 8-13-2011. At: http://host.madison.com/news/local/ask/article_7f78f356-c516-11e0-9726-001cc4c03286.html
Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Division of Disease Control, Office of Epidemiology. Heat-Associated Deaths in Maricopa County, AZ, Final Report for 2012. Feb 2004. Accessed 10-18-2015: https://www.maricopa.gov/publichealth/services/EPI/pdf/heat/2012annualreport.pdf
Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Division of Disease Control, Office of Epidemiology. Heat-Associated Deaths in Maricopa County, AZ, Report for 2011. July 2012. Accessed 2-22-2024 at: https://www.maricopa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1381
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. “Maryland’s first 2015 heat-related death involved young child left in hot car.” 7-16-2015. Accessed 1-9-2016 at: http://dhmh.maryland.gov/newsroom1/Pages/Maryland-confirms-first-2015-heat-related-death-was-that-of-a-child.aspx
Maxpreps.com. “Another Death on Gridiron – Arkansas Sophomore Collapses After Football Practice,” 8-10-2011. At: http://www.maxpreps.com/news/XIxEScN5EeC-qwAmVebEWg/another-death-on-gridiron—arkansas-sophomore-collapses-after-football-practice.htm
Maxpreps.com. “Heat Brings Tragedy to Southern High School Football.” 8-4-2011. At: http://www.maxpreps.com/news/SnFIJr7cEeC-qwAmVebEWg/heat-brings-tragedy-to-southern-high-school-football.htm
Metro.US. “Gabriel Pierre: No Charges yet in child’s death.” 9-13-2011. Accessed 7-21-2015 at: http://www.metro.us/local/gabriel-pierre-no-charges-yet-in-child-s-death/tmWkim—196nlzqZm1Agk/
Michigan Department of State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. Michigan Hazard Mitigation Plan, “Significant Heat Waves Affecting Michigan.” March 2014 updated edition. Accessed 7-23-2016 at: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/MHMP_480451_7.pdf
Minnesota Department of Health. Heat-related Deaths: Facts & Figures, 2000-2013 (webpage). Accessed 9-2-2015 at: https://apps.health.state.mn.us/mndata/heat_deaths#year
My Fox Houston. “Mother Charged After Texas Boy, 3, Dies in Hot Van.” 7-6-2011. Accessed 7-22-2015 at: http://www.myfoxhouston.com/story/18218662/mother-charged-after-texas-boy-3-dies-in-hot-van
National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 53, No. 4, April 2011. Asheville, NC: NCDC, National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service, NOAA. Accessed 6-12-2015 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-DB5039D4-0935-4413-B9C6-78DF1C4A42CA.pdf
National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 53, No. 5, May 2011. Asheville, NC: NCDC, National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Accessed 7-31-2015 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-BD016DC2-501B-4C9D-A5BF-2361170542D5.pdf
National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 53, No. 6, June 2011. Asheville, NC: NCDC, National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Accessed 7-31-2015 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-1455DB94-7215-4BC0-BE9A-ACAC7794BC50.pdf
National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 53, No. 7, July 2011. Asheville, NC: NCDC, National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Accessed 7-31-2015 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-8AC167C9-827D-49E7-B465-630864752283.pdf
National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 53, No. 8, August 2011. Asheville, NC: NCDC, National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Accessed 7-31-2015 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-10B79ECF-9BD9-4CD7-9C3B-36EB6B5A0D09.pdf
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Arizona, Greater Phoenix Area, Aug 22-31, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=328107
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, California, Joshua Tree National Park, Aug 22, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=328830
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Illinois, Crawford County, July 23-24, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=333453
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Illinois, Morgan, July 20, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=333454
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Kansas, Butler, 5-9-2011. Accessed 7-25-2015. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=311582
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Kansas, Butler, July 15-31, 2011. Accessed 7-26-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=336712
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Kansas, Reno, July 14-31, 2011. Accessed 7-25-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=336711
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Kansas, Sumner, July 15-31, 2011. Accessed 7-26-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=336715
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Kentucky, Jefferson, 5-21-2011. Accessed 7-25-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=317168
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Louisiana, Bossier, June 20, 2011. Accessed 7-26-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=306714
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Louisiana, Bossier, July 12, 2011. Accessed 7-26, 2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=312532
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Louisiana, Bossier, Aug 2, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=320288
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Louisiana, Bossier, Aug 3, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=319846
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Louisiana, Bossier, Aug 4, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=320285
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Louisiana, Bossier, Aug 7, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=320287
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Louisiana, Ouachita, Aug 16, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=323591
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Maryland, Prince Georges, July 22, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=338197
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Maryland, Southern Baltimore, July 22, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=338190
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Michigan, Oakland, July 17-22, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=332675
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Michigan, Wayne, July 17-22-2011. Accessed 7-27-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=332680
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Minnesota, Swift, July 18-20-2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=336008
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Missouri, Butler, July 10-12, 2011. Accessed 7-26-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=318902
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Missouri, Howell, July 18-2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=334839
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA, Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Missouri, Ripley, July 19-24, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=321702
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (C), June 4-8, 2011. Accessed 7-25-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=335702
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, Aug 23-26, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=331282
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, New Jersey, Mercer County, July 21-24, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=337143
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, New Jersey, Northwestern Burlington County, July 21-24, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=337142
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, New York, Bronx, July 21-23, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=328208
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, New York, Kings (Brooklyn), July 21-23, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=328205
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, New York, New York (Manhattan), July 21-23, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=328480
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, New York, Orange. July 22-23, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=328267
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, New York, Southern Queens, July 21-23, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=328206
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Oklahoma, Choctaw, Aug 1-10, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=345480
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Oklahoma, Pittsburg, Aug 1-9-2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=345521
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Oklahoma, Tulsa, July 9-31, 2011. Accessed 7-26-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=338668
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Oklahoma, Tulsa, Aug 1-9, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=345498
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Oklahoma, Washington, Aug 1-8, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2011: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=345485
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat. Pennsylvania, Lehigh, July 21-24, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2011: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=337134
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat. Pennsylvania, Montgomery, July 21-24, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=337136
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, June 8-9, 2011. Accessed 7-26-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=322881
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 12, 2011. Accessed 7-26-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=337083
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA, Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 21-24, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=337140
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Tennessee, Shelby, July 11-13, 2011. Accessed 7-26-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=332389
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Tennessee, Shelby, Aug 3-4, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=341730
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Tennessee, Shelby, Aug 7, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=341731
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Texas, Bell, Aug 1-6, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=340981
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Texas, Collin, Aug 1-6, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=340983
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Texas, Dallas, Aug 1-6, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=340986
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Texas, Fannin, Aug 1-6, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=340991
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Texas, Harris, Aug 4-5, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=321564
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Texas, Hood, Aug 1-6, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=340996
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, TX, Kaufman, Aug 1-6, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=341001
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Texas, Nueces, Aug 1, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=337343
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Columbia, July 17-21, 2011. Accessed 7-26-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=337923
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Crawford, July 17-21, 2012. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=326715
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Marquette, July 17-21, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=337918
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Monroe, July 17-21, 2011. Accessed 7-27-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=326727
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Sauk, July 17-21, 2011. Accessed 7-26-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=337922
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Alabama, Lawrence, July 10-12, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=337870
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Arizona, Greater Phoenix Area, Sep 11, 2011. Accessed 7-30-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=335107
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Arkansas, St. Francis, July 27-28, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=341872
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, Adams, July 17-28, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=343894
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, Cook, May 30, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=307758
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, Cook, July 17-26, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=335133
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, Cook, Aug 1-3, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=342901
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA, Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, Madison, July 10-12, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=344227
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, Madison, July 17-31, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=344271
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, Madison, Aug 1-3, 2011. Accessed 7-30-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=344323
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, McLean, June 6-8, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=318218
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, Richland, June 6-8, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=329274
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, St. Clair, July 10-12, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=344232
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, St. Clair, July 17-31, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=344278
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis, July 17-31, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=344303
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (C), July 10-12, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=344253
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (C), July 17-31, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=344304
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (Central), Sep 1-3, 2011. Accessed 7-30-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=344566
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, July 3-7, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=333876
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, Aug 21, 2011. Accessed 7-30-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=333877
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Oklahoma, Craig, June 15, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=328662
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Oklahoma, Tulsa, June 19, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=328664
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, May 30, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=337104
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 7, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2011: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=335416
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 29, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=337100
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Aug 1, 2011. Accessed 7-30-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=339211
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Tennessee, Shelby, June 3-5, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=321439
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Tennessee, Tipton, June 3-5, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=321440
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Collin, Aug 6-31, 2011. Accessed 7-30-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=344094
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Dallas, June 13-30, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=322063
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Dallas, July 1-31, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=324042
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Texas, Dallas, Aug 6-31, 2011. Accessed 7-30-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=344080
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Fannin, Aug 6-31, 2011. Accessed 7-30-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=344086
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Hunt, Aug 6-31, 2011. Accessed 7-30-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=344091
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Johnson, July 1-31-2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=324048
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Montague, Aug 6-31, 2011. Accessed 7-30-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=344681
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Parker, Aug 6-31, 2011. Accessed 7-30-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=344093
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Rockwall, July 1-31, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=341133
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Tarrant, June 4, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=322055
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Travis, Aug 9, 2011. Accessed 7-30-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=339573
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Wise, July 1-31, 2011. Accessed 7-29-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=324052
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Young, July 9, 2011. Accessed 7-28-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=324054
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[1] Ours is a compilation from several major published sources. (1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WONDER database (which, however, provides results only if death certificates they have access to were coded with X30 code for death due primarily to exposure to excessive natural heat or T76 (heat and light). (2) The National Climatic Data Center, NOAA allows internet searches via the Storm Events Database. For “heat,” one has to do two searches – one for “excessive heat” and one for “heat.” Frequently the entries in one seem similar to ones in the other. The NCDC also publishes Storm Data, a monthly, electronically accessible. (3) The National Weather Service, another NOAA entity, publishes tables on heat fatalities. Their figures differ from NCDC figures. None of the NOAA sources is comprehensive for two subsets – children in vehicles and workers though one can find references to each. (4) For more comprehensive coverage of children dying in cars due to heat one must go to one of the several websites devoted to young child heat deaths in vehicles for child deaths (such as Null and KidsAndCars.org). (5) OSHA provides more comprehensive coverage of worker heat-related fatalities. (6) There is also newspaper coverage, particularly when looking for end-of-heat-season statements by State Offices of Chief Medical Examiners. Frequently their numbers differ markedly from CDC, NCDC or NWS figures. A primary reason our totals will almost always be higher in any given year, than that shown in CDC Wonder is that we include, where noted, deaths which may have been coded differently than X30 (say a worker fainting from high heat on a roof who falls to his death) as well as those deaths where high heat was noted as a contributing cause of death, as is the case with many elderly with pre-existing medical conditions.
[2] Cites as source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).
[3] AP. “Dothan couple charged in death of 4-year-old son.” 7-3-2011. Parents charged with felony manslaughter.
[4] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Alabama, Lawrence, July 10-12, 2011.
[5] We subtract the 54 deaths Maricopa deaths AZ DPHS shows, deriving 123 deaths. We add the 106 deaths Maricopa County DPH shows for that county and derive 229 deaths
[6] From table “Arizona Deaths From Exposure to Excessive Natural Heat,” based on data from the Arizona Department of Health Services.
[7] Article, about Arizona heat-related deaths, notes: “57 were heat caused. The other 50 were heat related.”
[8] “The number of heat-associated deaths confirmed in 2011 was 106, indicating the highest number of heat-associated deaths over ten years.Notes on page 5 that report data includes (1) “Heat-caused (HC) deaths…in which environmental heat was directly involved in the sequence of conditions causing deaths.” (2) “Heat-related (HR) deaths…in which environmental heat contributed to the deaths but was not in the sequence of conditions causing these deaths.” (3) Deaths of homeless where “Homelessness is defined as having an address on the death certificate that matches a homeless shelter, government agency, business, or an intersection.”
[9] Page 13 of 42 pages, dated July 28, 2013. We assume the article reflects one death other than in Maricopa Co.
[10] Notes that police went to his home as part of a welfare check and found him dead with indoors temp. over 100°. See, also: News 4 Tucson. “Glendale man’s death…” 8-27-2011.
[11] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Arizona, Greater Phoenix Area, Aug 22-31, 2011.
[12] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Arizona, Greater Phoenix Area, Sep 11, 2011. Notes “The high temperature at Phoenix…was 99 degrees and some of the hotter deserts reached triple digits.”
[13] “Seventeen Arkansans died due to heat-related illness in 2011. On average, there are 400 heat-related deaths a year in the U.S.”
[14] “With temperatures continuing to soar into the triple digits again this week the Arkansas Department of Health announced the first heat-related death in the state on Monday [Aug 1]. Arkansas typically has between five and 11 deaths each year attributed to excessive heat. There are several heat-related causes pending official death certificate verification.” This could be a reference to one of the three heat deaths we note during July.
[15] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Inspection Detail…Dolle Electric, Inc. 11-16-2012.
[16] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Inspection Detail…T&S Sawmill, Inc., 1-18-2012.
[17] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Arkansas, St. Francis, July 27-28, 2011.
[18] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, California, Joshua Tree National Park, Aug 22, 2011.
[19] OSHA, US Dept. of Labor. “Inspection Detail…C Clunn Consulting, Inc.” 1-5-2012.
[20] OSHA, US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update; also, AP. “California Heat Deaths: State Investigating Six Who Died From Heat…Causes.” 7-22-2011, 9-21-2011.
[21] AP. “California Heat Deaths: State Investigating Six Who Died From Heat…Causes.” 7-22-2011, 9-21-2011. The State Occupational Safety & Health Administration was investigating this death.
[22] OSHA, US Dept. of Labor. Inspection Detail…Kci Environmental, Inc. 4-4-2012.
[23] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[24] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[25] OSHA, US Dept. of Labor. Inspection Detail…George Masih Pagany Farm. 4-9-2012.
[26] AP. “California Heat Deaths: State Investigating Six Who Died From Heat…Causes.” 7-22-2011, 9-21-2011.
[27] WTSP 10 News. “Arraignment for Cape Coral couple accused of leaving child in hot car.” 9-26-2011. Parents “charged with one count of leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle causing great bodily hard…a third degree felony that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.” Parents each thought the other had taken boy inside. Later reporting is that both parents “pleaded no contest to charges of child neglect and will not serve any jail time.” (ABC-7 WZVN-HD, Fort Myers, FL. “Parents plead no contest to hot car death.” 2-20-2012.) Also, Null.
[28] Officer Down Memorial Page. “ODMP Remembers…Police Officer Rogerio Rene Morales, Davie Police Department, Florida. End of Watch: Thursday, January 13, 2011.” 5-31-2012 revision.
[29] Sun Sentinel (Carney), FL. “Broward passes law to prevent child deaths in vehicles.” 2-23-2013. Notes that after Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Broward counties passed laws, in the words of the paper, “requiring all child care centers to install safety alarms in their vans to prevent a tragic death when a child is left alone and forgotten in a vehicle” two State legislators sought to introduce and pass similar legislation statewide, but gave up after two years saying legislators in both houses did not want more regulation at the state level. See, also, Null.
[30] NBC Miami 6 (Rapado and Hamacher) “Miramar High Football Player Dies at Practice.” 7-27-2011; Sun Sentinel (Dave Brousseau, Dieter Kurtenback, Robert Nolin). “Questions linger after sudden death of Miramar football player Isaiah Laurencin.” 7-28-2011; MaxPreps.com. “Heat Brings Tragedy…Southern High Sch. Football.” 8-4-2011. While initial news reports note heat as cause of or contributing to his death, “the medical examiner ruled the manner of death of the 286 pound guard…’natural’. The report points to multiple health issues including Cardiac Arrest during physical exertion due to sickle cell trait.” The family sued Broward Co. arguing the death was due to heat exhaustion. CBS Miami. “Broward Faces Lawsuit Over Football Player’s Death.” 7-31-2012.
[31] MaxPreps.com (Mitch Stephens). “Another death on gridiron – Arkansas sophomore collapses after football practice.” 8-10-2011; Maxpreps.com. “Heat…Tragedy…High Sch. Football.” 8-4-2011.
[32] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[33] 11Alive and Ross McLaughlin, WXIA. “Daycare owner, daughter acquitted of murder charges.” 4-19-2014. A jury found the owner not guilty of murder, but guilty of reckless conduct. Her daughter was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct and contributing to the deprivation of a minor. See, also, Null.
[34] Kennesaw Patch (Gaetana Pipia). “Woman Charged in Death of Infant Left in Car.” 6-5-2011. Article notes the 21-year-old cousin of the victim “…arrived to work at the dare care center at abut noon but apparently forgot about the infant, who was asleep, while unloading items out of the vehicle…” Woman arrested, charged with involuntary manslaughter and second degree cruelty to children, and released on $25,000 bond. See, also, Null.
[35] Cites a coroner for ruling of heat stroke as cause of death. MaxPreps.com (Mitch Stephens). “Another death on gridiron – Arkansas sophomore collapses after football practice.” 8-10-2011; also, Maxpreps.com. “Heat…Tragedy…High Sch. Football.” 8-4-2011. Age is taken from: AJC.com. “Dad says son who died in practice ‘pushed himself too hard.’” 8-3-2011.
[36] Associated Press, Warner Robins, GA. “Woman gets two years in death of child left in hot car.” 2-14-2014. Writes that caregiver plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Boy died in locked vehicle outside unlicensed home day care. The woman was initially indicted on charges including felony murder, which were dismissed during a plea bargain, which prohibited any further operation a day care facilities. See, also, Null.
[37] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, Adams, July 17-28, 2011.
[38] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, Cook, May 30, 2011.
[39] There are two deaths noted for females aged 87 in the Storm Events Database for this time period for Cook Co.
[40] Name of victim is from: Journal-Courier (AP) Jacksonville, IL. “3 more Illinoisans die from heat-related causes.” 8-4-2011, p. 3.
[41] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, Cook, Aug 1-3, 2011.
[42] Died on July 24 in a Warrick County, IN hospital. “The man had been mowing fields and installing fences in rural Crawford County, Illinois on July 23rd before traveling to an Evansville, Indiana hotel. He went into cardiac arrest and died to heat illness suffered during his day of work in Crawford County.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Illinois, Crawford County, July 23-24, 2011.)
[43] KSDK.com. “Jerry Besterfeldt of Alton dies from heat exposure.” 8-3-2011. Notes that he died in his bedroom, had an air conditioner “but it was turned off because Besterfeldt felt he could not afford the cost.” Cites Madison County Coroner to effect that the bedroom registered 93.8 and the victim’s core body temperature at 104 degrees. See, also, NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, Madison, Aug 1-3, 2011.
[44] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, Madison, July 17-31. Victim identified as Mildred M. Guide. (The Telegraph, Alton, IL. “Heat” (from p. A1), 8-4-2011, A7.) The Telegraph notes that the victim had an air conditioner but was not using it. She had two dogs, and they also died “in the oppressively hot modular home.”
[45] News-Democrat, Belleville, IL. “Heat Deaths…” 7-22-2011; NCDC, Storm Events Database, Heat, IL, Madison, July 10-12, 2011. Victim identified as Mitsunari Uechi. (The Telegraph, Alton, IL. “Heat,” 8-4-2011, A7.)
[46] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, Madison, July 17-31. Appears to be reference to David Richardson. (The Telegraph, Alton, IL. “Heat” (from p. A1), 8-4-2011, A7.)
[47] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[48] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, McLean, June 6-8, 2011. Notes that temperature “readings inside her…home likely rose well above 100 degrees.”
[49] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Illinois, Morgan, July 20, 2011. NCDC notes woman was discovered dead on July 22 and that “A coroner’s report indicated that she had been dead for about 2 days…”
[50] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, Richland, June 6-8, 2011.
[51] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Illinois, St. Clair, July 10-12, 2011.
[52] Reuters (Barbara Goldberg). “Massive, deadly heat wave spreads from Midwest to East.” 7-21-2011.
[53] Reuters (Barbara Goldberg). “Massive, deadly heat wave spreads from Midwest to East.” 7-21-2011.
[54] Journal Review Online (Jamie Barrand), Crawfordsville, IN. “Infant’s family speaks out.” 9-16-2011. Writes that each parent thought the other had taken the infant out of the van when they got home. “The reported air temperature at the time Vienna was in the car was 82 degrees. ‘With an outside air temperature of 82 degrees, the inside air temperature of the car could have been as high as 130 degrees.’ [quoting Jan Null].”
[55] “While playing a game, the boys locked themselves in the trunk of Wilk’s car and died of overheating…” “A grand jury indicted Jacqueline Wilk…in May 2012 on two counts of neglect of a dependent, Class A felonies…But Wilk stood trial twice, and both times, the jury hung, which yielded two mistrials…The state dismissed the charges this June, more than a year after police arrested Wilk and two years after the boys died. Under [new] statute, a judge must seal an arrest record if it did not yield a conviction.” (South Bend Tribune (Madeline Buckley), IN. “Wilk Successfully Petitions Court to Seal Case Records Under New State Law.” 9-16-2013.) See, also, Null.
[56] Writes that “Kansas, in its first year of tracking heat-related deaths, reported 23.”
[57] Appears to be a reference to a residential roofer reported by OSHA as a possible heat stroke fatality. (Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.)
[58] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Kansas, Butler, July 15-31, 2011.
[59] This last of the three Hutchinson deaths was noted as heat stroke. “In all three cases police reported that the interior temperature inside the homes was 95 degrees.” Notes that “An extended period of 100 degree heat settled over the region from the middle portion of the month until the end of the month. High temperatures across most of Central and South Central Kansas stayed at or above 98 degrees for seventeen straight days, with some areas seeing max temperatures reaching 109 to 113 degrees…The area had not witnessed a stretch of 100 degree heat like this since the early 1980s.”
[60] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Kansas, Sumner, July 15-31, 2011. Notes the victim collapsed on the side of the road and “was later pronounced dead from a heat related cardiovascular collapse.”
[61] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[62] WDRB (Bennett Haeberle and Rachel Collier), Louisville. “Jury recommends 35 years in prison for Mollie Shouse.” 8-7-2012. Writes that mother was convicted of first degree murder (believed to be first conviction related to the death of a child in a hot car in Jefferson County, KY), and sentenced to 35 years. According to prosecutors the mother was high on marijuana and Xanax and had passed out, leaving the child in a hot car. The NCDC notes the high temperature of the day was 87 and that according to a coroner the child died from overheating. See, also, Null.
[63] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Louisiana, Bossier, June 20, 2011.
[64] “The temperature that afternoon in Bossier City was 100 degrees with a maximum heat index temperature of 106 degrees.” NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Louisiana, Bossier, July 12, 2011.
[65] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Louisiana, Bossier, Aug 2, 2011.
[66] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Louisiana, Bossier, Aug 3, 2011.
[67] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Louisiana, Bossier, Aug 4, 2011.
[68] According to relatives of the 23-year-old godmother, who was arrested on a charge of negligent homicide and held on $10,000 bond, she forgot the baby was in the car. (WWLTV, New Orleans. “`We have to pray for both of them.’” 6-2-2011.) In Sept. 2012 a jury found Genee Brumfield guilty. (Times-Picayune {Katherine Sayre}, New Orleans, “Jury finds godmother who left boy in hot car guilty of negligent homicide,” 9-11-2012.) See, also Null.
[69] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Louisiana, Ouachita, Aug 16, 2011.
[70] Times-Picayune (Leslie Williams), New Orleans. “Hyperthermia caused death of 3-year-old boy, according to autopsy.” 6-2-2011. Article is about death of Winston Terrell Hayes Jr. Notes, though, Marley’s death when her “mother drove to her babysitter’s house after work to pick up her child” and learned that she had not left the child, who was still strapped in the back seat. See, also Null.
[71] Credits MD State Department of Health for fatality numbers.
[72] Article is about 2012 heat deaths (38 at time), but notes “There were 34 heat-related deaths statewide in 2011.”
[73] Washington Post (Matt Zapotosky). “D.C. cop found guilty of two murders.” 1-17-2013. Notes the father shot and killed his mistress, “then driving their daughter to a nearby apartment complex and leaving her in a hot SUV to die. According to prosecutors the father “did not want to acknowledge his child or pay her child support.” Also Null.
[74] Metro.US. “Gabriel Pierre: No Charges yet in child’s death.” 9-13-2011. “Police said the driver…was likely inside the home housing the day care. The facility, Gloria Luna’s Family Day Care, was shut down after the incident when city officials found it had no certificates to operate, as well as multiple violations.”
[75] Clickondetroit.com. “At Least 3 Metro Detroit Deaths…” 7-23-2011.
[76] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Michigan, Wayne, July 17-22-2011. Notes “A mid July heat wave helped cap off the warmest month on record for Detroit. Three direct deaths were reported due to the heat wave, as heat indices were above 100 degrees.”
[77] MI State Police. MI Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2014 update, p. 153; Clickondetroit.com. “At Least 3 Metro Detroit Deaths…” 7-23-2011; NCDC Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Michigan, Oakland, July 17-22, 2011. The NCDC notes the death was “from several factors including an enlarged heart, obesity and hyperthermia.”
[78] Clickondetroit.com. “At Least 3 Metro Detroit Deaths…” 7-23-2011.
[79] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Michigan, Wayne, July 17-22, 2011.
[80] Notes: “Deaths due explicitly to heat only, in Minnesota.”
[81] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update. Notation of heat exhaustion from OSHA. Inspection Detail…Scott Duffy Dba Landscape Solutions. 1-24-2013.
[82] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Minnesota, Swift, July 18-20-2011.
[83] Christian Post Reporter (Lee Warren). “Baby dies after being left in a car at church,” 6-2-2011. Article writes that the parents were running late for church where father was minister of music and mother a member of the choir. Father stated that “as he exited his vehicle…[he] asked a fellow church member to take the baby inside to daycare. Later he learned the persons did not hear him.” Also, Chapter 15: “Norman Collins III,” in Parker, R. J., and J. J. Slate. Backseat Tragedies: Hot Car Deaths, 2015; and Null.
[84] Cites as source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).
[85] “Preliminary figures show Missouri ended the blistering summer of 2011 with 39 confirmed heat-related deaths, the largest number in a decade.”
[86] The explanation for the range has to do with greater St. Louis. For the high range we use the St. Louis Today figure of 19 heat deaths. For the low range
[87] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Missouri, Butler, July 10-12, 2011.
[88] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Missouri, Howell, July 18-2011.
[89] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[90] See Oct 20, 2011 AP report below. It notes 20 confirmed Kansas City heat-related deaths.
[91] “In the Kansas City area alone, health officials investigated 30 suspected heat deaths and announced this week that 20 were indeed related to soaring temperatures, according to the Kansas City Health Department. Those deaths occurred from June 5 to Aug 9 as temperatures often approached and surpassed the century mark.”
[92] AP. “Heat deaths totaled 62 in Ks., Missouri.” CJOnline.com, 10-20-2011.
[93] AP. “Heat deaths totaled 62 in Ks., Missouri.” CJOnline.com, 10-20-2011.
[94] Reuters (Barbara Goldberg). “Massive, deadly heat wave spreads from Midwest to East.” 7-21-2011.
[95] The NCDC notes that “It appeared he had been working outside shortly before he returned to the house.” NCDC, NOAA, Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Missouri, Butler, July 10-12, 2011.
[96] NCDC, NOAA, Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Missouri, Ripley, July 19-24, 2011.
[97] We do not use this figure in our tally in that it is dated Aug 2, whereas a larger figure is noted on Sept. 2.
[98] Cites the St. Louis County Health Department for statement of five deaths in the County and the separate St. Louis City Health Dept. for report of 8 deaths there.
[99] We do not use in that this figure is not consonant with either the Aug 2 or the Sept. 2 figures reported by St. Louis Today. It might be the case that the lower figure related to St. Louis City, and thus did not include other heat-related deaths in St. Louis County.
[100] We choose to use eleven deaths in our tally, rather than the 16 or 19 reported in St. Louis Today in that (1) we have NCDC details on eleven fatalities, and (2) the term “St. Louis area” appears to us to be ambiguous, and could include deaths in the area but outside of St. Louis County, and already noted under another county.
[101] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (C), June 4-8, 2011.
[102] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (C), July 10-12, 2011.
[103] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (C), July 17-31, 2011.
[104] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (C), July 17-31, 2011.
[105] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (C), July 17-31, 2011.
[106] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (C), July 17-31, 2011.
[107] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (C), July 17-31, 2011.
[108] Reuters (Barbara Goldberg). “Massive, deadly heat wave spreads from Midwest to East.” 7-21-2011. No doubt refers to one of the four elderly female deaths noted by the NCDC in the Storm Events Database.
[109] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis, July 17-31, 2011.
[110] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis, July 17-31, 2011.
[111] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis, July 17-31, 2011.
[112] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (Central), Sep 1-3, 2011.
[113] Billings Gazette. “Woman gets 20 years for death of 3-year-old foster child.” Independent Record, Helena, 2-8-2013. Foster mother plead guilty to negligent homicide. Five of 20 year sentence suspended. Jaren Wayne Blacksmith died of hyperthermia after several hrs. inside locked car with outside temps. reaching 93 degrees. “Bird initially told authorities that she left the boy in the car parked outside her house…because he was sleeping and he was a fussy child when he woke up.” “There was…evidence that the boy tried unsuccessfully to escape.” Also, Null.
[114] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, July 3-7, 2011.
[115] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, July 3-7, 2011.
[116] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, July 3-7, 2011.
[117] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, Aug 21, 2011.
[118] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, Aug 23-26, 2011. Notes: “High temperatures in Las Vegas reached Excessive Heat Warning criteria for four straight days.”
[119] NCDC, Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, New Jersey, Northwestern Burlington, July 21-24, 2011.
[120] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, New Jersey, Mercer County, July 21-24, 2011.
[121] Nineteen also number of deaths NCDC, NOAA, Storm Events Database notes for greater NYC same timeframe.
[122] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[123] Heat exhaustion determination from OSHA. Inspection Detail…Roofer Enterprise Corporation, Llc. 9-29-2011.
[124] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[125] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[126] Hyperthermia and heat exhaustion determination from: OSHA. Inspection Detail…Bradley R. Goodrich Dba Wb Seal-coating, Inc. 2-29-2014. Notes that worker was taken to hospital where his temperature went up to 108.4°.
[127] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[128] Heat exhaustion determination from: OSHA. Inspection Detail…Nash Johnson & Sons’ Farms Inc. 2-20-2012.
[129] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[130] Akron Beacon Journal. “Woman charged in death of toddler sentenced to five years of probation.” 1-18-2012. Notes the care giver was give five years of probation and 200 hours of community service. In plea bargain the care giver pled no contest to an amended charge of involuntary manslaughter. The care giver had driven several children to her mother’s for a family barbecue, but forgot to take the toddler out of the car on a day that reached 94 degrees, leaving her there for four hours. Cause of death was ruled hyperthermia. See, also, Null.
[131] Idaho Transportation Dept. “Today’s News Briefs.” Cites Oklahoman (B. Dean), Oklahoma City. “Oklahomans swelter as infrastructure begins cracking in heat wave.” 7-19-2011. Writes “Heat also is suspected as the cause of death for Preston Mayhan, 8, of Cyril, who apparently crawled into the trunk of his mother’s car July 7.” Also, Null.
[132] News OK (Matt Petterson). “Norman boy found dead inside car identified.” 7-9-2011.
[133] NCDC, NOAA, Storm Events Database. Heat, Oklahoma, Craig, June 15, 2011.
[134] Heat stroke/heat exhaustion note from: OSHA. Inspection Detail…Garden Center Maintenance. 8-15-2012.
[135] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[136] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[137] OSHA, US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update; OSHA. Weekly Fatality/Catastrophe Report. “Weekly Summary (Federal and State data tabulated week ending July 2, 2011).”
[138] NCDC, NOAA, Storm Events Database. Heat, Oklahoma, Tulsa, June 19, 2011.
[139] Reading Eagle (Jason A. Kahl), PA. “Toddler’s death devastates Alsace family.” 8-19-2011. See, also, Null.
[140] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[141] We do not include in our tally in that Germantown is a neighborhood within northwest Philadelphia and this might refer to one of the 22 deaths reported by the NCDC for Philadelphia, July 21-24.
[142] “There were thirty-three heat related deaths in Philadelphia in 2011.”
[143] NCDC, NOAA, Storm Events Database. Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, May 30, 2011. Notes this was “The first heat related death of 2011” and that “The high temperature at the Philadelphia International Airport was 93 degrees on the 30th, the highest temperature to date in 2011.”
[144] Notes the victim died “On the 5th and final day of a heat wave in Philadelphia…The high temperature on the 5th…was 95 degrees and was the hottest day of the heat wave.”
[145] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, PA, Philadelphia. Notes” “The last and hottest day of a four day heat wave claimed the life of a 73-year-old man within Philadelphia. Philadelphia schools also dismissed early on the 12th. The high temperature within Philadelphia reached 94 degrees…”
[146] Highlighted because we do not use for our tally in that we believe it includes not only 22 for Philadelphia but 2 in Montgomery County and one in Lehigh County. Total of 25 is from NCDC, NOAA, Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 21-24, 2011.
[147] “Most were elderly people with underlying health problems who were found indoors without air-conditioning.”
[148] Notes: “Another unseasonably hot and humid day claimed the live of five people within Philadelphia. The high temperature at the Philadelphia International Airport reached 96 degrees and the afternoon heat index reached between 100F and 105F. This was the start of a four day heat wave for the city.”
[149] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Aug 1, 2011. Writes this was the last heat wave of 2011 in Philadelphia and that “The high temperature on August 1st in Philadelphia was 96 degrees…the high temperature on the 2nd was 91.”
[150] Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office. “Father Who Left Child in Hot Car Will Not be Charged with Criminal Act.” 8-9-2011. Notes that “According to the National Weather Service the average temperature in Columbia on June 19 was 92 degrees.”
[151] Maxpreps.com. “Heat Brings Tragedy…Southern High Sch. Football.” 8-4-2011. A later report, citing the Darlington County Coroner, noted cause of death as complications stemming from a sickle-cell crisis. (Post and Courier, Florence, SC. “Sickle-cell crisis blamed for death of high schooler.” 8-6-2011.)
[152] NCDC Storm Events Database notes a 65-year-old male died in a permanent structure Aug 3-4.
[153] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Tennessee, Shelby, Aug 7, 2011.
[154] Statesman, Austin, TX. “Two…deaths attributed….” 8-11-2011.
[155] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Burnet, Aug 9, 2011. Writes: “The high temperature at Horseshoe Bay reached 104 degrees with the heat index at 106. This was the tenth consecutive day that the temperature reached 100 degrees. See, also, The Statesman, Austin, TX. “Two…deaths….” 8-11-2011.
[156] My Fox Houston. “Mother Charged After Texas Boy, 3, Dies in Hot Van.” 7-6-2011. Notes mother was charged with arrested, charged with manslaughter, and held on $40,000 bond. Outside temp. “topped 90 degrees.” Mother was doing housework. “An older sister found him there more than 1½ hours later…”
[157] MaxPreps.com (Mitch Stephens). “Another death on gridiron – Arkansas sophomore collapses after football practice.” 8-10-2011; also, Maxpreps.com. “Heat…Tragedy…High Sch. Football.” 8-4-2011; also NCDC.
[158] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Collin, Aug 6-31, 2011. Cites medical examiner.
[159] Express-News.Net (Roy Bragg). “Hot-car death forwarded to Comal prosecutors.” 6-2-2011. Mother apparently forgot to drop child off at daycare before going to work. Article notes that outside temp. hit 84°. See, also, Null.
[160] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Dallas, June 13-30, 2011.
[161] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Dallas, June 13-30, 2011.
[162] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Dallas, June 13-30, 2011.
[163] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Dallas, July 1-31, 2011. Notes that “Most of the deceased were over the age of 65 and all but one were found inside their homes. Cites Medical Examiner for figure of nine deaths, as well as 2223 reported cases of heat-related illness treated in the county during the month.
[164] Fox 4 News, Dallas. “Toddler’s Hot Car Death ‘Tragic Accident,’ Police Say.” 8-26-2011; also Null.
[165] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Fannin, Aug 6-31, 2011. Cites medical examiner.
[166] Victoria Advocate, TX. “Boy, 3, dies after found in car; heat suspected.” 6-13-2011. See, also, Null.
[167] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Texas, Harris, Aug 4-5, 2011. Notes the victim “was taken to a hospital with a body temperature measured at 108 F.”
[168] The Monitor (N. Lopez), So. TX. “Mom charged with manslaughter in baby’s hot-car death.” 6-30-2011; Null.
[169] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Texas, Hood, Aug 1-6, 2011.
[170] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Hunt, Aug 6-31, 2011.
[171] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update. Determination of heat exhaustion from: OSHA. Inspection Detail…Baily-Buchanan Masonry, Inc. 2-2-2012. Notes this was his first day on job, that ambient temperature was 91-94 degrees, and that his core body temperature “was determined to be 101.1 degrees Fahrenheit.”
[172] KHOU, Houston. “Mother of dead 4-year-old hopes others avoid her tragic mistake.” 5-2-2012. See, also, Null, and NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Johnson, July 1-31-2011.
[173] WacoTrib.com (Kirsten Crow). “Waco mother charged for death of infant left in hot car.” 2-17-2012. Notes the mother was charged with first-degree injury to a child, a felony, for the hyperthermia death of her daughter, whom she left in a van while she shopped for about “30 minutes during the hottest July on record in Waco.” Notes core temperature of the infant was 107° upon arrival at a hospital and that the outdoors temperature was about 96°. Article writes that “It is a Class C misdemeanor in Texas to intentionally leave a child younger than age 7 in a vehicle for more than five minutes if the child is not accompanied by someone who is at least age 14. Mother was jailed and held under a $23,000 bond. See, also, Null.
[174] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Montague, Aug 6-31, 2011.
[175] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Texas, Nueces, Aug 1, 2011.
[176] “…Caleb Hamm, crewmember of the Bonneville Interagency Hotshot Crew…was working in Division A of the…Country Road 337 fire, near Mineral Wells, Texas, when he collapsed and subsequently died from hyperthermia (uncontrolled heating of the body’s core temperature.” (Texas Bureau of Land Management, Texas Forest Service. Serious Accident Investigation Factual Report, CR 337 Fatality…Mineral Wells, Texas, July 7, 2011. 5-17-2014 modification, p. 4.)
[177] Most of city is in Brazoria County, but sections are also in Fort Bend and Harris counties.
[178] Occupational Safety & Health Admin., US Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[179] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Rockwall, July 1-31, 2011. A heat advisory was in effect that day. “Temperatures this month ranged from the upper 90s to over 100 degrees…”
[180] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Tarrant, June 4, 2011.
[181] The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that one of these deaths occurred on August 7 in Fort Worth. (“Fort Worth woman’s death is county’s second related to heat.” 8-8-2011.)
[182] American-Statesman, Austin. “Austin father not indicted over daughter’s death in hot car.” 8-19-2011. Notes that he forgot to take her to dare care and thus she was in his truck while he was at work. Also notes that a grand jury decided not to indict the father for the felony of abandoning/endangering a child. See, also, Null.
[183] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Travis, Aug 9, 2011.
[184] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Young, July 9, 2011.
[185] Pro8News.com. “Heat Contributing to Laredo…Deaths.” 8-15-2011.
[186] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Wise, July 1-31, 2011.
[187] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Texas, Wise, July 1-31, 2011.
[188] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Vermont, Windsor, July 21, 2011.
[189] Bristow Beat (Stacy Shaw). “Bristow Mother Pleads Guilty, Receives Probation for Death of Child Left in Car.” 3-12-2012. Notes mother plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of child neglect, a reduction from a murder charge. Received probation from serving prison time. See, also, Null.
[190] Danville Register & Bee (Denise Thibodeau). “Mother convicted in Danville infant heat death.” 11-30-2011. Left two children and a 78-year-old woman in the car. Infant died in 93° outside temperature; 3-year and 78-year-old woman hospitalized. At trial, judge “reduced the felony murder charge…to involuntary manslaughter…” and found her guilty. The mother “was also convicted of two counts of child neglect and abuse and aiding and abetting in the abuse of an incapacitated adult. The “state’s assistant chief medical examiner…testified about the child’s autopsy, which showed he died of hyperthermia, with lack of oxygen causing organs, including the liver and kidneys, to die and brain damage to occur.” See, also, Null.
[191] Occupational Safety and Health Admin., U.S. Dept. of Labor. Inspection Detail…Eqt Corporation. 5-31-2011.
[192] Notes heat deaths in table on page 6 for 2000-2013.
[193] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Columbia, July 17-21, 2011.
[194] WTAQ.com, Green Bay, WI. “Heat…Blamed for Three Deaths.” 7-26-2011. This source notes two deaths in Co.
[195] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Crawford, July 17-21, 2012.
[196] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Marquette, July 17-21, 2011.
[197] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Monroe, July 17-21, 2011.
[198] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Sauk, July 17-21, 2011. Also, Madison.com. “Fifth State Death Attributed to Heat Wave.” 8-9-2011.
[199] Cites IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change). 2014.