DALLAS — As scorching temperatures are expected to shift away from North Texas ahead of Fourth of July weekend, officials warn the heat can still be dangerous — a fact evidenced by more than a dozen weather-related deaths across the state in recent days.
Temperatures rose to 101 degrees Thursday afternoon at DFW International Airport, according to National Weather Service data, as the heat index — a measure of what it feels like outside — neared 110. But after one more potential triple-digit day Friday, highs are expected to settle into the mid-90s early next week.
The cooler — but still hot — weather comes as a heat dome that’s hovering over Texas and much of the central and southern United States could move east and allow for a release of hot air while making way for isolated thunderstorms.
The trapped heat has led to miserable weather across Texas for days, and at least 13 heat-related deaths have been reported in the state since the beginning of last week.
Eleven of the deaths occurred in Webb County, according to Corinne Stern, the county’s medical examiner. The victims ranged in age from 60 to 80, and some had underlying health conditions.
“This is heat like we’ve not seen here before,” Stern told county commissioners during a recent meeting. “Please, please, please. Deaths due to heat stroke are ruled as accidents, and accidents, by definition, are preventable deaths. All these deaths could have been prevented. Please check on your neighbors.”
Stern said the county doesn’t typically see a slew of heat-related deaths because the community is used to heat, but this recent wave “caught (residents) a little off guard.”
The two other confirmed weather-related deaths in Texas were a Florida man and his teenage stepson who died while hiking in Big Bend National Park.
The wife of a United States Postal Service mail carrier who collapsed while on duty in Dallas last week believes his death was tied to the weather, but his cause of death has not yet been determined. USPS has since allowed letter carriers to begin their shifts earlier in the day.
Dallas-Fire Rescue spokesperson Jason Evans said the agency has responded to 193 environmental emergency calls in June, some of which have resulted in hospitalizations.
The heat has affected daily life throughout Texas in a wide array of ways, including workers who predominately spend their time outside and a sharp increase in wildfires burning thousands of acres of land. Officials in Dallas noted that the temperatures coupled with a lack of precipitation contributed to increased water demand — more than 655 million gallons Tuesday vs. an average of about 380 million gallons per day.
The weather service has released multiple advisories for Texans to continue practicing heat safety.
“As the heat and humidity persists, continue to practice heat safety by drinking plenty of water, avoiding extended time outdoors, checking in on the more vulnerable populations, checking the backseat of the car, and knowing the signs of heat illness,” an agency graphic said.
Cooling stations are available throughout Dallas to help people avoid heat-related illnesses.
Friday could be another triple-digit day before the cooldown, with the high forecast to be 100, according to KXAS-TV (NBC5). The forecast calls for somewhat cooler weather over the weekend and into next week, with highs predicted to stay in the mid-90s. Lows are in the low 80s and high 70s through the next week, according to the forecast.
ERCOT, the state’s main power grid operator, issued a weather watch through Friday in anticipation of high electricity demand amid the hot conditions. The watch does not mean rolling blackouts are expected or that the operator will call for energy conservation.
