New York - From Florida through Texas to Colorado, nearly two months of incessant heat and drought have caused scores of deaths, burned-out homes and withered crops. Although the numbers are preliminary and may prove overstated, local and state authorities blamed the heat for 117 deaths, including 81 in Texas, 22 in Louisiana and 11 in Oklahoma. Most of the victims have been elderly women and men who tried to get by without air-conditioning. While Florida has had some recent rainfall and relief, the outlook for Texas is more, much more, of the same. Monday, the 15th straight day of 100-plus readings in Dallas, has already marked this summer as the worst since 1980, which was the hottest ever.
Dallas County health officials declared a state of emergency last week, and other counties across the state are seeking federal disaster assistance to compensate for more than $1.5 billion in farming and ranching losses.