- Extreme heatwaves in the United States this summer have claimed the lives of hundreds of people.
- The scorching heat is not yet over, as states like Kentucky and Texas brace themselves for more dangerously hot days.
- Tragically, many fatalities occur due to the lack of access to air conditioning.
The United States is currently enduring an intense heatwave this summer that has resulted in the unfortunate deaths of individuals without access to air conditioning. In fact, July broke records as the hottest month ever recorded.
And the heat persists.
This week, temperatures have soared above 90 degrees Fahrenheit in Louisville. Next week, the city is expected to experience mid-90s heat, but it will feel like 100-110 degrees throughout the week, as reported by WLKY, a local CBS affiliate.
Texas has also been severely affected by the ongoing heatwave. Austin has endured triple-digit temperatures for 34 consecutive days, while Dallas experienced record-high heat for three days in a row, as confirmed by Kyle Weather’s tweet. Additionally, El Paso has faced 56 days with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, marking the third-highest frequency in Texas history, according to NWSElPaso’s tweet.
As of now, at least 147 individuals from just five counties in the United States have lost their lives due to extreme heat in 2023, as reported by CNN. However, this number is likely an underestimate as many deaths are still under investigation. Maricopa County, Arizona alone has recorded 39 heat-related deaths as of August 7, with an additional 312 deaths currently under review.
Lack of access to air conditioning is a significant contributing factor to these fatalities. For instance, Christian Ruhenkenya, a 17-year-old from Louisville, tragically passed away after choosing to sleep in his family’s car to escape the sweltering heat when their air conditioning malfunctioned, according to WAVE, a local NBC affiliate. Although the exact cause of his death has yet to be determined by medical examiners, it is important to note that sleeping inside a running car can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, as advised by experts.
In Harris County, Texas, Victor Ramos, 67, was found unresponsive in his home on June 24 after his air conditioning system stopped working. Ramos later passed away in the hospital, and his sister emphasized that his financial situation prevented him from fixing the air conditioner, as documented by WFAA, a local ABC affiliate.
Sadly, on June 16, Ramona Ison, 71, and Monway Ison, 72, were discovered lifeless inside their mobile home near Houston due to a malfunctioning air conditioning unit. Their daughter, Roxana Floods, revealed that they couldn’t afford to repair the AC unit. Floods is now dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of extreme heat without proper access to air conditioning.
“If it could happen to my parents, then it could happen to anyone,” Floods stated. “We need to increase awareness of the signs of heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.”
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