ER Visits and 911 Calls for Heat Illness Spike During Texas Heat Wave

"Prolonged 100-plus degree weather has sent hundreds of Texans to emergency rooms this month."

"EL PASO — Record-setting heat in Texas has sent hundreds of people to emergency rooms in recent weeks, according to state health officials.

Temperature records fell across Texas during the last two weeks, putting June 2023 on pace to be the hottest June ever in some parts of the state. From the border city of Del Rio to the capital city, Austin, temperatures hit triple digits for days straight.

Emergency medical providers are responding to heat-related illnesses as extreme temperatures become more frequent and prolonged. On June 20, at least 350 people visited emergency departments across Texas because of heat illnesses, according to state health officials. That was the highest number of ER visits for heat-related illnesses on any single day in 2022 or 2023 so far. Not all hospitals and clinics are included in the state data, so the total is likely an undercount."

Martha Pskowski and Gina Jiménez report for Inside Climate News June 28, 2023.

Source: Inside Climate News, 06/28/2023