Heat in Maryland, July 28 to 29, 2002

A large area of high pressure sat off the Mid-Atlantic coast during the last week of July. This caused a warm and moist south wind to blow into the region for several days, resulting in another heat wave. The hottest days were the 28th and 29th of July when temperatures rose into the 90s and heat index values reached 100 to 110 degrees. Power companies reported record electricity use on the 29th. Excessive heat was believed to have played a part in buckling train tracks that caused a passenger train derailment in the Montgomery County community of Kensington on the afternoon of the 29th. The derailment injured 97 people, including 6 who were critically injured. At least three people died from heat stroke in Central Maryland during the heat wave. In Prince George's County, a 31 year-old man was found dead in his residence on the 30th. In Baltimore City, a 73 year-old man was found dead in his home on the 30th and an 81 year-old woman was found dead in her home on the 31st. Underlying health conditions contributed to these deaths. A 71 year-old man was also believed to have succumbed to the heat in his Baltimore home where a temperature of 96.5 degrees was measured on the 28th. Several other jurisdictions reported an increase of emergency room visits due to the heat. In Harford County, 12 elderly citizens were treated for heat illness. In Anne Arundel County, 7 people ranging from children to senior citizens were treated for exposure to the heat. In Baltimore County, at least 3 people were treated for heat cramps or heat exhaustion.