Heat in Texas, July 14, 1998

Excessive heat and drought conditions affected western portions of north Texas from May through early October with the most intense heat and severe drought conditions occurring from mid-June through early September. There were 2 fatalities and at least 2 injuries directly related to the heat. Agricultural losses are estimated at 2.1 billion dollars for the entire state of Texas. All of Texas's counties were declared federal disaster areas. Heat and drought conditions began in May, intensified in July and August, and diminished in September and early October. Wichita Falls experienced its 3rd warmest and 3rd driest May on record. Heat and drought conditions escalated after June 11th, which was the last day of widespread rainfall across western portions of north Texas until early September. The heat and drought then ended in early October when widespread rain and cooler temperatures returned.The first fatality directly related to the heat occurred on July 3rd, when a 75 year-old man was found dead in his home in Wichita Falls (Wichita County). The second and last report of a heat related fatality occurred on July 14th, when a 74 year-old man was found dead in his home, also in Wichita Falls. Only 2 heat related injuries were reported during the 5 month-long heat and drought. Two persons from Wichita Falls were treated for heat related injuries on June 2nd at United Regional Health Care. Agricultural losses across Texas totaled about 2.1 billion dollars with no specific statistics available on a county-by-county basis, however cotton losses are expected to contribute significantly to the total loss. The summer of 1998 (June-August) was the 2nd hottest and 7th driest on record in Wichita Falls. The drought ended gradually in September and early October, but record warm temperatures continued through September. Wichita Falls recorded an average temperature of 83.4 degrees in September, 2nd hottest September on record. The summer of 1980, considered to be the last major period of excessive heat and drought to affect western portions of north Texas, still ranks as the hottest summer ever for Wichita Falls.