Midwest Drought

Losses, 2024 dollars

$2.4 billion

Losses at the time

$1.5 billion

Deaths

0

The losses and deaths are NCEI’s, counting everything the disaster did. The episodes below are only what the Weather Service filed in its Storm Events record, which counts damage differently and often not at all, so the two never add up and are shown apart.

• Drought in Puerto Rico, March 1 to 31, 2005$5.0 million · 3 eventsThe lack of rainfall in parts of southern Puerto Rico became acute in many areas with the result that parts of southeast and south central Puerto Rico were elevated to moderate drought status by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
• Wildfire in Puerto Rico, March 1 to 31, 20054 eventsNumerous brush fires were reported across the southern half of Puerto Rico. A 400 percent increase over last year in a district near Ponce. Along the west part of the island the government has spent over 1million to fight the Maricao State Forest fire.
• Drought in U.S. Virgin Islands, March 1 to 31, 20051 eventThe lack of rainfall in St Croix led to the second driest March on record. Only 0.42 inches of rain were recorded at the airport for the entire month where the normal is 1.72 inches. An estimated of 1,000 acres had burned in brush fires.
• Drought in Colorado, March 1 to 31, 200521 eventsSome improvement in the drought situation occurred across western Colorado, as several storm systems brought significant precipitation to the area and the snowpack continued above normal for most of the mountains.
• Drought in Utah, March 1 to 31, 20057 eventsImprovement occurred in the drought situation across northeast Utah, as a number of storm systems produced significant precipitation and mountain snowpack continued above normal.
• Wildfire in U.S. Virgin Islands, March 4, 2005$10,000 · 1 eventA brush fire scorched more than 300 acres of vegetation near South Sore cafe in Estate Petronelli. several utlity poles were damaged.
• Wildfire in Iowa, March 6, 20052 injured · $1.0 million · 1 eventSouthwest winds of 25 to 45 mph spread a wildfire across rural Pottawattamie east of Oakland and Carson. The blaze swept across 4,000 acres, destroyed 4 homes and many outbuildings, and left about a dozen people homeless. Total damage was reported at one million dollars.
• Wildfire in U.S. Virgin Islands, March 8, 20051 eventMore than 15 acres of brush was scorched when a fire crept over an open field between Estates Mon Bijou and Calquohoun.
• Drought in Washington, March 10 to 30, 2005$12 million · 19 eventsThe governor declared a drought after a fall and winter of much below normal precipitation. As of March 15th, Olympia was -15.84 inches below normal since Oct 1st. The White, Green and Puyallup rivers, together, are at 25 percent of normal.
• Wildfire in U.S. Virgin Islands, March 11, 2005$10,000 · 1 eventA brush fire on the east end of the island consumed more than one 100 acres of parched vegetation near Grape Tree Bay. The fire damaged several utility poles.
• Wildfire in U.S. Virgin Islands, March 13, 2005$15,000 · 1 eventBrush fires fueled by brisk winds scorched hundred of acres on St. Croix. Fires were in estates Bethlehem, Calquohoun and Cobble. The fire damaged several telephone poles and some livestock could have perished.
• Wildfire in New Jersey, March 15, 20051 eventA brushfire with 30 to 40-foot-high flames burned across 75 to 100 acres in Raritan Center within Edison Township. The fire could be seen from Rahway (Union County) to East Brunswick (within Middlesex County).
• Wildfire in Oregon, March 16, 2005$1,000 · 1 eventHigh wind gusts fanned embers which ignited a nearby old barn off U.S. Highway 26 about five miles north of Madras. Thick smoke from the fire caused highway 26 to be closed with traffic being diverted to Boise Drive.
• Wildfire in Washington, March 16, 2005$3,000 · 1 eventA small brush fire increased in size as high winds moved through the Yakima Valley. The fire threatened several homes in West Yakima. There were no injuries, but an estimated $3,000 damage was done to plants.
• Wildfire in Alaska, March 18 to 20, 200511 eventsRed flag warning conditions developed behind a late season dry arctic front. The offshore, downslope flow and extremely dry atmosphere (dewpoints near zero) combined with sufficiently dry flashy fuels (grasses) near sea level to heighten the wildfire danger throughout Southeast…
• Drought in Colorado, April 1 to 30, 200521 eventsSeveral spring storms affected western Colorado during the month and produced mountain snow and lower elevation rain and snow.
• Drought in Utah, April 1 to 30, 20057 eventsSeveral spring storms affected eastern Utah during the month and produced mountain snow and lower elevation rain and snow.
• Wildfire in South Dakota, April 3, 20051 eventNumerous grass fires were reported across Yankton County as strong winds combined with dry weather conditions and dry vegetation. The fires burned mainly in fields, with several along railroad tracks. No reports of damage amounts were received.
• Wildfire in Delaware, April 6, 20051 eventA brush fire occurred along Long Neck Road in Millsboro around 4:09 PM EDT. The area of brush on fire was located behind several homes. Firefighters quickly knocked the flames down and prevented them from spreading.
• Wildfire in North Dakota, April 8, 20053 injured · 1 eventStrong southerly winds gusting to 45 mph combine with low relative humidities and dry pastures, created red flag conditions in North Dakota. A large grass fire developed east of Wilton. The fire became very large in size, creating its own weather conditions.
• Wildfire in Pennsylvania, April 10, 20051 eventA wildfire burned about five acres of brush in East Allen Township in the vicinity of Sickle Road.
• Wildfire in New Jersey, April 11, 20051 eventSeveral brush fires were started by trains running along the Norfolk Southern Line during the afternoon of the 10th. The fires occurred from Alpha west to West Portal. The fires threatened barns in the area, but no structures caught fire.
• Wildfire in U.S. Virgin Islands, April 13, 20051 eventTwo brush fires developed on the west end of St. Croix, in a field next to Williams's Delight. Morev than 40 acres burned.
• Wildfire in Delaware, April 13, 20051 eventDespite recent heavy rains that soaked the region, several days of steady winds have dried the top layer of the ground, making the grasses and brush perfect kindling for a fire.
• Wildfire in Pennsylvania, April 14, 20051 eventA fire that started in a trailer then spread into the woods at the Pocono Mountain Campsite in Pocono Township during the evening of the 14th. It took a dozen firefighters from three township fire companies to extinguish the blaze.
• Wildfire in Delaware, April 15, 20051 eventGusty northeast winds helped fuel a fire at a Wilmington salvage yard that burned nearly 100 vehicles. The fire was reported about 10:55 AM EDT, and the flames consumed rows of flattened cars in the rear lot of the 6-acre salvage yard, located on South Market Street.
• Wildfire in Michigan, April 16 to 17, 20051 eventA long period of warm and dry weather affected northern Michigan from the end of March through mid April. Once the spring melt was completed, the fire danger rapidly increased. A number of wildfires developed in northern Lower Michigan in mid April.
• Wildfire in Delaware, April 17, 20051 eventA 400-acre marsh fire started about 10:20 AM EDT on Port Mahon Road east of Little Creek (east of Dover). More than 75 firefighters fought the fire, which did not endanger any life or property.
• Wildfire in Wyoming, April 17, 20051 injured · $500,000 · 1 eventA human caused fire was started west of Fort Washakie during the afternoon. The fire became out of control and threatened urban areas of Fort Washakie resulting in the evacuation of all 250 residents.
• Wildfire in Pennsylvania, April 17, 20051 eventA brush fire consumed about four acres of state gamelands in southeastern Coolbaugh Township near the Barrett Township border. The fire started near a hiking trail. Three fire companies extinguished the fire before before it reached houses within a large private community.
• Wildfire in New Jersey, April 20, 20052 eventsA forest fire in Wharton State Forest, when discovered at about 9:00 AM EDT on the 20th, covered about 30 acres in Waterford Township in Camden County. The fire, fanned by brisk winds of 20 to 25 mph, spread to 325 acres mainly in the Camden County part of the state forest.
• Wildfire in U.S. Virgin Islands, April 21 to 22, 20051 eventA massive brush fire was reported on the East End. The fire erupted near Tide Village and quickly spread to hillsides surrounding Lowry Hill and Estate Boetzberg. The fire consumed more than 200 acres of hillside and pastureland.
• Wildfire in Florida, April 22, 20051 eventA wildfire near SW 177th Avenue and U.S. 41 caused the closure of the road.
• Drought in Texas, May 1 to 31, 2005$60 million · 7 eventsContinued below normal rainfall caused portions of north Texas to be upgraded from moderate drought (D1) to severe drought (D2), as classified by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
• Drought in Colorado, May 1 to 31, 200521 eventsThere was little change in the drought situation across western Colorado through the month. Northwest Colorado remained in a moderate to severe drought.
• Drought in Utah, May 1 to 31, 20057 eventsLittle change occurred in the drought situation across eastern Utah through the month. Snowpack continued to look impressive for the mountains of extreme northeast Utah, improving the drought categories to abnormally dry or non-drought.
• Wildfire in Wisconsin, May 5 to 6, 2005$1.0 million · 1 eventA grass fire quickly got out of control and eventually burned 3,870 acres in northern Adams County. The fire started 4 miles south-southeast of Big Flats and spread northeastward a distance of approximately seven miles.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, May 10 to 19, 20051 eventA fire scorched 3000 acres of mainly brush about 1.5 miles northeast of Nanakuli over a nine-day period. The fire had been intentionally set and, for a time, required as many as 22 of 42 engine companies from the Honolulu Fire Department to contain the blaze.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, May 13 to 14, 2005$50,000 · 1 eventA fast-moving fire blackened 900 acres of brush about 5 miles north-northeast of South Point on the Big Island of Hawaii. The blaze did not threaten any homes.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, May 18 to 19, 20051 eventA fire burned around 300 acres of brush near Lapakahi State Historical Park in the North Kohala District on the Big Island of Hawaii. No homes were ever in danger, but some livestock had been threatened before the fire was brought under control.
• Heat in Arizona, May 20 to 26, 200512 deaths · 4 eventsA strong high pressure ridge across Arizona caused extreme heat across the desert Southwest. The heat was extreme from May 20, 2005 until May 26, 2005, with the hottest days being May 20th thru 23rd.
• Wildfire in Texas, May 23 to 26, 20051 eventDuring the afternoon of the 23rd, a rare dry lightning outbreak occurred over the Davis and Glass Mountains of west Texas. A total of six wildfires were sparked by the lightning between 16:00 and 18:00 CST across Brewster, Jeff Davis, and Pecos Counties.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, May 27 to 28, 20051 eventA brush fire burned 400 acres just south of the Waimea Airport on the Big Island of Hawaii, or about 3 miles south of Kamuela. The blaze did not threaten homes or other property. There were no reports of serious injuries.
• Drought in Illinois, June 1 to 30, 200519 eventsSouthern Illinois was classified in a moderate drought as June became the fourth consecutive month of below normal rainfall. Some locations received heavy rainfall in June from thunderstorms, but the storms were rather short-lived and infrequent.
• Drought in Colorado, June 1 to 30, 200521 eventsDespite June being a wet month, lingering hydrological dryness and drought conditions continued across western Colorado due to multi-year precipitation deficits.
• Drought in Utah, June 1 to 30, 20057 eventsDespite June being a wet month, lingering hydrological dryness and drought conditions continued across eastern Utah due to multi-year precipitation deficits.
• Wildfire in California, June 2 to 3, 20051 eventThe Lehigh Fire was human-caused and burned 800 acres east of Tehachapi in the Kern County Mountains. The cost to fight the fire was unknown but no structures were lost or injuries occurred.
• Drought in Missouri, June 5 to 30, 200511 eventsDrought conditions progressively worsened during June. The drought status of southeast Missouri went from moderate to severe during June. June was the fourth consecutive month of below normal rainfall in southeast Missouri.
• Wildfire in California, June 5 to 6, 20051 eventThe Five Fire burned 5514 acres and occurred 8 miles east of Cantua Creek or approximately 7.5 miles south-southwest of the community of San Joaquin in West Fresno County. The cause of the fire was unknown but no structures were lost or injuries occurred.
• Heat in Pennsylvania, June 6, 20051 death · 1 eventAn unseasonably warm afternoon which followed on the heels of unseasonably cool weather in late May and early June claimed the life of a 53-year-old male construction worker in Philadelphia. The construction worker collapsed on the job at 330 p.m.
• Heat in Missouri, June 6, 20051 death · 1 eventAn 83 year old woman died in her home from heat related causes. The central air conditioning was not turned on and all the windows were closed. High temperatures the previous couple of days had been in the middle 90's.
• Wildfire in New Jersey, June 6, 20051 eventA lightning strike caused a brush fire on top of Montana Mountain in Harmony Township off of Demeter Road. It was quickly extinguished.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, June 7, 20051 eventA fire scorched 70 acres of mainly brush near Waikele on the island of Oahu. A dozen residents in a neighborhood along Kaaholo and Kime streets had to flee their homes for a time because of dense smoke. The origin of the fire was under investigation.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, June 11, 20051 eventA brush fire burned 50 acres in Makaha Valley near the town of Makaha on Oahu's Waianae Coast. The fire came within 100 feet of residences along Manuku Street, though no homes were actually damaged by the flames.
• Heat in Pennsylvania, June 13 to 14, 20053 deaths · 5 eventsThe first run of unseasonably hot and humid weather for the summer season on June 13th and 14th caused a few heat related deaths within Philadelphia and early dismissals for many schools that did not have air conditioners.
• Heat in New Jersey, June 13 to 14, 200514 eventsThe first run of unseasonably hot and humid weather of the summer season on June 13th and 14th caused early dismissals for many schools that did not have air conditioners and near record energy demands.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, June 14, 20051 eventA fire that burned about 100 acres of brush near Kawaihae on the Big Island of Hawaii snarled traffic for much of the afternoon and evening hours. The blaze forced county officials to close Queen Kaahumanu Highway.
• Drought in Illinois, June 15 to 30, 200518 eventsDry conditions developed during April and May 2005 across northern Illinois. By June, the dry conditions had developed into a severe drought with many locations seeing one of the driest Junes on record.
• Drought in Illinois, June 15 to 30, 200513 eventsA dry winter and spring developed into full blown drought conditions across Northwest and West Central Illinois by the middle of June. Dry conditions continued across Eastern Iowa but had not yet developed into drought conditions.
• Heat in South Carolina, June 15, 20055 injured · 1 eventAt least 5 people were treated at Roper Saint Francis hospital for heat related illnesses. Heat indices ranged from 104 to 108 degrees during the afternoon hours.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, June 15 to 16, 20052 eventsBrush fires scorched 80 acres near Waimea and 200 acres in the vicinity of Anahola on the Garden Isle of Kauai. No serious injuries occurred at either location, and there was no serious property damage in Waimea.
• Wildfire in Washington, June 17, 20051 eventThe Hammer Fire was a human-caused fire centered four miles NNW of Richland, burning 1270 acres.
• Wildfire in Oregon, June 21, 2005$114,000 · 1 eventA lightning sparked fire followed by gusty winds near 40 MPH occurred about 15 miles southwest of Echo. This fire burned 1,050 acres of wheat, which was equivalent to 36,750 bushels priced at an estimated $3.10 per bushel.
• Wildfire in California, June 22 to 25, 20052 injured · 1 eventNamed the Soboba Fire, this fire burned 2,080 acres near San Jacinto. No structures were damaged. The cost to fight this fire was $1.7 million.
• Wildfire in California, June 22 to 25, 20052 injured · $1.0 million · 1 eventNamed the Paradise Fire, this fire burned 3,033 acres in the Morongo Valley. The fire destroyed six residences and damaged one other. The cost to fight this fire was $1.2 million.
• Heat in Illinois, June 23 to 30, 20052 deaths · 3 eventsThe first heat wave of the season hit in late June and resulted in two deaths in the Metro East. A 70 year old woman died in Alton and a 48 year old man in Centreville. Both were found in their homes with no air conditioning.
• Heat in Missouri, June 23 to 30, 20056 eventsThe first heat wave of the season hit in late June. High temperatures during the period were in the lower to upper 90's, with the peak of 98 being reached at Lambert St. Louis International Airport on June 29. The heat index during the period ranged from 100 to around 105.
• Wildfire in Oregon, June 23 to 24, 20051 eventThe Juniper Canyon Fire was a lightning caused fire burning an estimated 5,000 acres. The fire burned north of South Juniper Canyon Road about five miles north of Holdman. The fire was a sleeper fire after lightning that occurred the previous day.
• Heat in Pennsylvania, June 25 to 26, 20051 death · 1 eventA pair of hot and humid days in Philadelphia claimed the life of an 86-year-old woman in Philadelphia. She was found dead on June 27th on the second floor bedroom of her home with no fans or air conditioning and just two windows open.
• Wildfire in Washington, June 25 to 28, 2005$46,000 · 1 eventThe Walker Canyon Fire was centered 19 miles southeast of Connell, burning 25,000 acres. The fire burned 51 power poles. The cause of the fire was lightning which struck a fence post several days prior to the start of the fire on June 21st.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, June 26, 20051 eventA fire blackened 50 acres of brush in Panakauahi Gulch near Waipio on Oahu. The blaze was close to both the H-2 Freeway and Kamehameha Highway, which adversely affected traffic for several hours. However, no serious property damage or injuries were reported.
• Wildfire in Colorado, June 28 to 30, 20051 eventLightning sparked the Rio Blanco Fire about 10 miles southeast of Pagosa Springs in the San Juan National Forest. The fire was designated as a Wildland Fire Use incident and burned about 200 acres of mixed conifer and oak understory by the end of June.
• Heat in Louisiana, June 29, 20051 death · 1 event
• Wildfire in Colorado, June 29 to 30, 20051 eventLightning started the Naturita Ridge Fire on Bureau of Land Management Public Lands 5 miles south of Naturita. The fire was designated as a Wildland Fire Use incident. By the end of the month the fire consumed about 200 acres of pinyon pine and juniper.
• Heat in Louisiana, June 30, 20051 death · 1 event
• Wildfire in Colorado, June 30, 20051 eventThe Well 2 Fire started 8 miles southwest of Red Mesa on the Ute Indian Reservation. Winter range for big game as well as archeological sites were threatened by the fire. By the end of the month about 375 acres of pinyon pine, juniper, and grass had been consumed by the fire.
• Drought in Iowa, July 1 to 31, 2005$155 million · 20 eventsThe drought that began back in June 2005 continued through July and into August 2005 and spread into Eastern Iowa and Northeast Missouri.
• Drought in Illinois, July 1 to 31, 2005$180 million · 13 eventsThe drought that began back in June 2005 continued through July and into August 2005 and spread into Eastern Iowa and Northeast Missouri.
• Drought in Missouri, July 1 to 31, 2005$8.5 million · 2 eventsThe drought that began back in June 2005 continued through July and into August 2005 and spread into Eastern Iowa and Northeast Missouri.
• Drought in Illinois, July 1 to 12, 200519 eventsModerate drought conditions persisted over southern Illinois until the remnants of Hurricane Dennis arrived, producing from 2 to 5 inches of rain. Although the rain was beneficial, it came too late for some crops.
• Drought in Illinois, July 1 to 31, 200516 eventsAfter a dry spring, severe drought conditions developed during June 2005 across much of northern Illinois. By early July 2005, the drought was classified as "extreme." An agriculture disaster was declared in Will and LaSalle Counties.
• Drought in Missouri, July 1 to 12, 200511 eventsDrought conditions that developed during the spring continued to worsen, reaching the severe to extreme category over most of southeast Missouri in early July.
• Drought in Colorado, July 1 to 31, 200521 eventsOccasional surges of monsoonal moisture resulted in periods of thunderstorms across western Colorado during the month of July, mainly during the second half of the month.
• Drought in Utah, July 1 to 31, 20057 eventsOccasional surges of monsoonal moisture resulted in periods of thunderstorms across eastern Utah during the month of July, mainly during the second half of the month.
• Wildfire in Arizona, July 1 to 8, 20052 eventsThe Cave Creek Complex Wildland Fire began as three lightning caused fires on June 21st. One fire started in Yavapai County and two fires started south of the county line. One of those fires was put out. The other fire, Cave Creek Fire, rapidly burned into Yavapai County.
• Wildfire in Colorado, July 1 to 13, 20051 eventThis lightning caused fire began June 28 and was named the Rio Blanco Fire. The fire occurred about 10 miles southeast of Pagosa Springs in the San Juan National Forest, and was designated as a Wildland Fire Use incident.
• Wildfire in Colorado, July 1 to 2, 20051 eventThis wildfire was ignited on June 30 and was named the Well 2 Fire. It occurred on the Ute Indian Reservation about 8 miles southwest of Red Mesa. The fire consumed 337 acres of pinyon pine, juniper, and grass.
• Wildfire in Colorado, July 1 to 4, 20051 eventThis lightning caused fire began June 29 and was named the Naturita Ridge Fire. The fire occurred on Bureau of Land Management Public Lands about 5 miles south of Naturita and was designated as a Wildland Fire Use incident.
• Heat in California, July 1 to 31, 20051 eventJuly 2005 set a new record for heat in Sacramento. The average temperature in Sacramento was 81.8 degrees for the month. This was the hottest average temperature ever recorded in Sacramento. The old record was 81.6 degrees set in July 2003.
• Drought in Wisconsin, July 1 to 31, 200520 eventsDrought conditions developed over south-central and southeast Wisconsin in July, 2005, after the weather pattern turned quiet in mid and late June, 2005.
• Heat in Arizona, July 2 to 5, 20059 deaths · 3 eventsA strong ridge of high pressure across Arizona caused extreme heat in the desert Southwest with temperatures above seasonal normals. The extreme heat lasted for the first two weeks of July with some of the hottest days being over the Fourth of July weekend.
• Wildfire in Texas, July 4 to 8, 20051 eventDry lightning started a wildfire on Chinati Peak in the Davis Mountains. The fire spread to over 2,500 acres in size in one day. The fire was in an unpopulated area and caused no damage to structures. It was contained on the 6 July and put out several days later.
• Wildfire in Washington, July 5, 2005$2,000 · 1 eventBreezy winds contributed to the spread of a wildfire east of Dallesport. The fire was fought along highway 14 near the entrance to Columbia Hills State Park and Horsethief Lake. A couple structures were lost in the blaze, with an estimated property damage of $2,000.
• Wildfire in California, July 5 to 9, 20058 injured · 1 eventA fire in Yorba Linda burned 1,078 acres. There were 8 firefighters injured while fighting the fire.
• Wildfire and Hail in Colorado, July 6 to 16, 2005$5.3 million · 1 in hail · 3 eventsIntense wildfire (Mason Gulch) burned almost 12,000 acres of land in eastern Custer County and western Pueblo County between Wetmore and Beulah.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, July 6, 20051 eventA fire about 2.5 miles south of Hoolehua Airport on Molokai burned 200 acres of brush. The cause of the fire was unknown. There were no reports of serious injuries or property damage.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, July 7, 20051 eventA wildfire in Waianae came very close to homes on Kawili Street, though fire department officials decided against an evacuation of residents. The blaze consumed 350 acres of mainly brush land. No serious injuries or property damage were reported.
• Wildfire in Arizona, July 7 to 21, 200513 injured · 1 eventThe Florida Fire was a lightning caused fire that started on July 7, 2005 in the Santa Rita Mountains about 25 miles south of the City of Tucson. The fire burned a total of 23,183 acres, injured 13 firefighters and was contained on July 21, 2005 at 6 pm MST.
• Wildfire in Colorado, July 8 to 18, 20051 eventA wildfire ignited by lightning in the vicinity of Four Mile Creek in Saguache County burned approximately 100 acres.
• Heat in Minnesota, July 9 to 17, 20051 eventHigh temperatures at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport remained at or above 90 degrees for 9 consecutive days between July 9th and 17th.
• Wildfire in Colorado, July 9, 20051 eventDry lightning ignited a fire which burned 205 acres 10 miles west of Timpas in Otero County.
• Wildfire in Colorado, July 10, 2005$150,000 · 1 eventHot and dry conditions contributed to a controlled burn of cheat grass getting out of control in Naturita. The fire spread to a nearby trailer house and destroyed the structure.
• Heat in California, July 10 to 20, 20051 death · 8 eventsRecord heat resulted in near record power consumption and one death. High temperatures soared to 121 at Thermal, 120 at Palm Springs, 120 at Borrego Springs, and 116 at Hesperia. Temperatures in the Coachella Valley hit 110 degrees or greater on 9 consecutive days.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, July 12, 20051 eventA brush fire that scorched 200 acres between Maalaea and McGregor Point on the Valley Island of Maui halted traffic for several hours along Honoapiilani Highway. Smoke from the fire caused much of the problem.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, July 12, 20051 eventA fire of unknown origin burned 150 acres of mainly brush 5.5 miles southwest of Hawi in leeward South Kohala on the Big Island of Hawaii. The blaze forced an almost nine hour closure of an eight-mile stretch of the Akoni Pule Highway, from 0600 to 1445.
• Heat in Arizona, July 12 to 21, 200530 deaths · 1 eventThis was the third warmest July on record in Phoenix. The average monthly temperature was 97.3 degrees, just 4 tenths of a degree shy of the record warmest July which was set in 2003. The average maximum temperature for the month was 109.5 compared to a normal of 106.6 degrees.
• Heat in Utah, July 12, 20051 death · 1 eventExcessive heat likely led to the death of a hiker in Glen Canyon. Temperatures reached 110 deg during the afternoon.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, July 12 to 15, 20051 eventA wildfire upslope from Lahainaluna High School in leeward West Maui was of unknown origin and burned over two and a half days. The fire scorched 120 acres of brush and grass land, but for a time threatened native plants and bird habitats.
• Heat in New York, July 13, 20051 eventA 25-year old construction worker collapsed and died from heat stroke as he was walking home from his construction job.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, July 13, 20051 eventA wildfire in the vicinity of Waialua, along Kaukonahua Road near Hukilau Loop on Oahu, blackened 500 acres of brush and agricultural land. Some of the farm land was still in use, though damage estimates of any losses were unavailable.
• Heat in California, July 13, 20051 death · 1 eventAn ag worker died from excessive heat about 4 miles southeast of Mettler in the extreme South San Joaquin Valley on the 13th.
• Heat in California, July 14 to 18, 20054 eventsThe month of July was marked by consistent above normal daily temperatures except for a brief period from the 6th through the 11th.
• Wildfire in Utah, July 16 to 21, 20051 eventThis incident was named the Dry Fork Fire and occurred about 10 miles northwest of Vernal. The fire burned approximately 520 acres of timber, grass, and understory. The town of Dry Fork was threatened by the fire.
• Wildfire in Colorado, July 16 to 21, 20051 eventThis incident was named the Craig Draw Fire and occurred on Bureau of Land Management Public Lands about 4 miles east of Norwood. The fire consumed 580 acres of hardwood slash, timber litter and understory. Dense smoke from the fire impacted travel along Highway 145.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 17 to 18, 2005$83,000 · 1 eventA wildfire burned 300 to 400 acres of wheat on the North Fork of the Walla Walla River and Power Line Road five miles east of Milton-Freewater. Estimated crop damage from this event is $83,000.
• Heat in Pennsylvania, July 18 to 19, 20056 deaths · 5 eventsA hot and very humid air mass enveloped southeastern Pennsylvania on the 18th and 19th. High temperatures reached into the lower 90s, but dewpoint temperatures were in the mid 70s. The combination produced afternoon heat indices of between 100 and 105.
• Heat in New Jersey, July 18 to 19, 20052 deaths · 11 eventsA hot and very humid air mass enveloped southern New Jersey on the 18th and 19th. High temperatures reached into the lower 90s, but dewpoint temperatures were in the mid 70s. The combination produced afternoon heat indices of between 100 and 105.
• Heat in Delaware, July 18 to 19, 20051 eventA hot and very humid air mass enveloped Delaware on the 18th and 19th. High temperatures reached into the lower 90s, but dew point temperatures were in the mid 70s. The combination produced afternoon heat indices of between 100 and 105.
• Heat in Virginia, July 18, 20051 death · 1 eventA 60-year old man was killed due to excessive heat. The individual was a construction worker and was working on a paving project.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, July 18, 20051 eventA brush fire blackened 50 acres in an area 2 miles east/northeast of Hawaii Kai on the island of Oahu. The fire was between Sea Life Park and Kealahou Street, and heavy smoke forced the closure of Kalanianaole Highway for six hours while fire fighters battled the blaze.
• Drought in Wisconsin, July 19 to 31, 200517 eventsBelow normal rainfall and temperatures that averaged about 5 degrees above normal for the month of July combined with below normal precipitation during the first half of the year to result in the development of drought conditions.
• Wildfire in California, July 19 to 24, 20051 eventThe China Lake Fire was human caused and burned 1282 acres 8 miles northwest of Trona in Kern County. No injuries occurred nor were any structures lost. Damage figures were unknown.
• Heat in North Carolina, July 19, 20051 death · 1 eventThe body of a migrant worker was found on Walker Farm in Person County. The worker complained of sickness and left the farm around 1130am. The worker was later found dead only a quarter mile away in a creek bed. The heat index by 11am was 103 degrees.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 19 to 20, 20051 eventThe Wolfe Point Fire, centered near Kah-nee-ta, was a human caused fire and burned 4,150 acres. No structures were lost in the blaze.
• Heat in Washington, July 19, 20051 death · 1 eventExcessive heat in the Yakima Valley contribued to one heat-related fatality near the town of Moxee. The high temperature at the Yakima Airport on this day was 99 degrees.
• Heat in Missouri, July 20 to 26, 20054 deaths · 65 injured · 29 eventsThe first significant heat wave in several years struck all of central, eastern, northeast, and southeast Missouri. Columbia recorded 6 straight days of 100 plus temperatures with the highest being 105 degrees on the 23rd and 24th. St.
• Heat in Illinois, July 20 to 26, 20051 death · 17 eventsThe first significant heat wave of several years hit all of west central, southwest, and south central Illinois. Quincy hit 100 degrees or higher 4 times during the period and had a Heat Index reading of 121 degrees on July 23rd. The Metro East area of St.
• Heat in North Carolina, July 20, 20051 death · 1 eventA migrant worker collapsed and died from heat stroke on Harnett County near Erwin. The man collapsed on a tobacco farm and was transported to UNC Hospital where he later died.
• Heat in Missouri, July 21 to 26, 20052 deaths · 93 injured · 11 eventsSeveral days of excessive heat and humidity caused two fatalities and a significant increase in heat-related illnesses. In Cape Girardeau, two residents of a home without air conditioning died. The windows were closed because one of the victims suffered from asthma.
• Heat in Kentucky, July 21 to 26, 200569 injured · 22 eventsSeveral days of excessive heat and humidity caused a significant increase in heat-related illnesses. A 46-year-old construction worker from Livingston County suffered a heart attack in which heat was a factor, but heat was not the direct cause of death.
• Heat in Illinois, July 21 to 26, 200562 injured · 19 eventsSeveral days of excessive heat and humidity caused a significant increase in heat-related illnesses. Hospitals reported that a majority of those treated were outdoor workers. The heat index peaked around 110 degrees each afternoon, and dropped to only around 80 degrees at night.
• Heat in Indiana, July 21 to 26, 20054 injured · 6 eventsSeveral days of excessive heat and humidity caused a significant increase in heat-related illnesses. A local hospital in Gibson County reported treating four people, all of whom were involved in outdoor activities. Statistics from Evansville hospitals were unavailable.
• Heat in Kansas, July 21 to 25, 20051 death · 7 eventsOppressive heat and humidity was observed across the area from July 21st to July 25th. Afternoon heat indices ranged from 105 to 110 degrees. A 78 year old female from Bonner Springs in Wyandotte county died from heat related causes on July 23rd.
• Heat in Missouri, July 21 to 25, 200537 eventsOppressive heat and humidity prevailed across the area from July 21st to July 25th. Afternoon heat indices reached from 105 to 110 degrees. Kansas City International heat index reached 114 degrees on July 22nd and St. Joseph topped out at 113 degrees on July 22nd.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 22 to 27, 20051 eventThe Rattlesnake Springs fire, centered nine miles ESE of Warm Springs, was a lightning sparked fire which burned 1,170 acres. No structures were lost in the blaze.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 22 to 27, 20051 eventThe Schoolie Rim Fire, centered four miles WNW of Kah-nee-ta, burned 1,271 acres. There were no structures lost in the blaze.
• Heat in Nebraska, July 22 to 24, 2005$3.0 million · 30 eventsHigh temperatures in the upper 90s to around 105 and lows of 75 to 80 prevailed over much of eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa from Friday July 22nd through Sunday the 24th.
• Heat in Iowa, July 22 to 24, 20058 eventsHigh temperatures in the upper 90s to around 105 and lows of 75 to 80 prevailed over much of eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa from Friday July 22nd through Sunday the 24th.
• Heat in Illinois, July 22 to 25, 20051 death · 35 eventsA period of excessive heat and humidity developed across all of central and southeast Illinois from July 22nd through the 25th.
• Heat in Oklahoma, July 22, 20051 death · 1 eventA McCurtain County man was doing contract logging work when he succombed to the heat.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 22 to 27, 20051 eventThe Shitike Creek Fire, centered two miles WNW of Warm Springs, burned 412 acres. There were no structures lost in the blaze.
• Wildfire in California, July 22 to 31, 20051 eventThe Comb Fire was lightning initiated but allowed to burn as a resource fire 18 miles northeast of Grant Grove in Fresno County. It consumed 1193 acres by the end of July but no injuries occurred nor were any structures lost.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, July 22 to 24, 20051 eventA fire that started in pasture land 7 miles south of Kamuela in leeward Kohala on the Big Island of Hawaii burned 2000 acres. The origin of the fire was unknown.
• Wildfire in Washington, July 23 to 26, 20051 eventThe Wood Gulch Fire, centered near Roosevelt, was a human caused fire which burned 5,400 acres. Occasional breezy winds helped push flames through dry sage brush, as well as oak and pine in a steep canyon. Approximately 20 homes were evacuated as a precaution.
• Heat in Mississippi, July 23 to 27, 20051 death · 39 eventsA five day "heat wave" occurred across most of the region between July 23rd and 27th. A combination of the actual air temperature and relative humidity values combined to produce heat indice values near 110 degrees each day.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 23, 2005$28,000 · 1 eventA wildfire near Helix bruned 150 acres of wheat and stubble, with about 75 acres each. A harvest truck was also burned in the blaze which was holding a full load of 8 to 10 tons of wheat.
• Heat in Alabama, July 24, 20051 death · 1 eventIn Billingsley, a handicapped man retrieved his mail and somehow became unable to return to his home. He succumbed to the intense heat and the cause of death was heat related. The high temperature measured at Dannelly Field in Montgomery was 96 degrees.
• Heat in Wisconsin, July 24, 20057 eventsA mid-summer heat wave developed across the Midwest and Great Lakes as an upper-level ridge amplified. West to southwest winds pumped in very hot and humid air, making for the hottest temperatures observed in several years.
• Wildfire in California, July 24 to 31, 20051 eventThe Crag Fire was lightning caused during extensive convective activity in the Kern Deserts northward into Interior Central California on the 24th. The fire started 5 miles northwest of Kennedy Meadows in Tulare County.
• Heat in Pennsylvania, July 25 to 27, 20057 deaths · 8 eventsThe most hottest and humid air mass of the summer so far occupied Eastern Pennsylvania from the 25th through the 27th.
• Heat in New Jersey, July 25 to 27, 200515 eventsThe most hottest and humid air mass of the summer so far occupied New Jersey from the 25th through the 27th.
• Heat in Maryland, July 25 to 27, 20055 eventsThe most hottest and humid air mass of the summer so far occupied the Maryland Eastern Shore from the 25th through the 27th.
• Heat in Delaware, July 25 to 27, 20053 eventsThe most hottest and humid air mass of the summer so far occupied Delaware from the 25th through the 27th.
• Wildfire in California, July 25 to 27, 20051 eventThe Quartz Fire was a human caused fire 2 miles east of Coarsegold in Madera County. It burned 550 acres but no injuries occurred or structures lost. The cost to battle the fire was $1.1M.
• Wildfire in Colorado, July 26 to 31, 20051 eventThis incident was named the Commissary Fire and occurred about 22 miles west of Gunnison in the Gunnison National Forest. The fire burned mainly in hardwood litter and consumed approximately 161 acres by the end of July. The fire resulted in closures of a campground and a road.
• Wildfire in California, July 26 to 27, 20051 eventThe Blue Fire near Woody in Kern County burned 758 acres and its cause was under investigation. The cost to fight the fire was unknown but no injuries occurred nor structures lost.
• Wildfire in California, July 26 to 27, 20051 eventThe Rock Fire burned 440 acres within the Tule Indian Reservation approximately 13.5 miles east of Porterville in Tulare County. The cause of the fire was under investigation and the cost to fight was unknown. No injuries occurred or structures lost during the fire.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, July 26 to 27, 20051 eventA grass and brush fire, with a suspicious origin, scorched 80 acres near Lahaina in leeward West Maui. The blaze came within 50 yards of homes in the Wahikuli residential area, above Kahoma Street on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains.
• Heat in Georgia, July 27 to 28, 200516 eventsAn upper ridge of high pressure settled over the region bringing extreme heat to portions of southeast Georgia.
• Heat in South Carolina, July 27 to 28, 20059 eventsAn upper ridge of high pressure settled over the region bringing extreme heat to portions of southeast South Carolina.
• Heat in Mississippi, July 27, 20051 death · 1 eventA man from Verona died from the excessive heat.
• Wildfire in California, July 27 to 30, 20051 eventThe Red Fire burned 840 acres 9 miles east of Fountain Springs in the Tulare County Foothills. The fire was human caused but no injuries or structures were lost. The cost to battle fire was $1.0M.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 28 to 31, 20051 eventThe Mule Peak Fire, centered 19 miles ESE of Union, was a lightning caused fire which burned 1400 acres. The fire continued to burn into the month of August.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 28, 20051 eventThe Thief Valley Fire, centered four miles ENE of North Powder, was a lightning sparked fire that burned 240 acres.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 28 to 31, 20051 eventThe Dry Cabin Fire, centered 10 miles southeast of Dayville, was a lightning caused fire which burned 270 acres. The fire continued to burn into the month of August.
• Heat in Alabama, July 28, 20051 death · 1 eventA gentleman was working outside in Athens and died a short time later. The death was attributed to the heat.
• Wildfire in Idaho, July 29, 2005$1,000 · 1 eventWildfire destroyed 20 acres of a grain field in the Michaud Creek area of the Arbon Valley east of American Falls. Fire contained after an hour.
• Wildfire in Colorado, July 29 to 31, 2005$300,000 · 1 eventThis human-caused wildfire was named the Turkey Track Fire and occurred in Horse Thief Creek Canyon near DeBeque. Backfire from a pickup truck ignited some grass near Horse Canyon Road. The fire quickly grew to 450 acres and changing winds made containment difficult.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 31, 20051 eventThe Chicken House Fire, centered nine miles SSE of Dayville, was a lightning caused fire which burned 618 acres. The fire continued into to burn into the month of August.
• Drought in Texas, August 1 to 31, 2005$60 million · 21 eventsBy the end of August, a large area of east and north Texas was considered to be in severe drought (D2) or worse as classified by the U.S. Drought Monitor. However...some areas that were considered to be in severe drought or worse last month had recovered somewhat.
• Drought in Iowa, August 1 to 31, 2005$43 million · 20 eventsThe 2005 drought that started back in June continued through the month of August 2005 and into September 2005. Severe to extreme drought continued across the northern half of Illinois, eastern third of Iowa, and northeast Missouri.
• Drought in Illinois, August 1 to 31, 2005$48 million · 13 eventsThe 2005 drought that started back in June continued through the month of August 2005 and into September 2005. Severe to extreme drought continued across the northern half of Illinois, eastern third of Iowa, and northeast Missouri.
• Drought in Missouri, August 1 to 31, 2005$12 million · 2 eventsThe 2005 drought that started back in June continued through the month of August 2005 and into September 2005. Severe to extreme drought continued across the northern half of Illinois, eastern third of Iowa, and northeast Missouri.
• Drought in Missouri, August 1 to 31, 200529 eventsThe agricultural and hydrologic drought continued across the area. Even though conditions did improve in some areas as a large part of east central and southeast Missouri were raised from D3 status (severe drought) to D0 status (abnormally dry), all but 2 counties in the state…
• Drought in Wisconsin, August 1 to 31, 200520 eventsA warm and dry August helped strengthen the drought for south-central and southeast Wisconsin that started on July 1, 2005. Rainfall deficits for August ranged from between 2.50 to 3.50 inches across the area.
• Drought in Illinois, August 1 to 31, 200517 eventsDrought conditions improved for some counties of southern Illinois but remained serious for much of west central Illinois. Most of the counties immediately east and south of the St. Louis area were raised to D0 status (abnormally dry).
• Drought in Illinois, August 1 to 31, 200516 eventsDrought conditions continued across much of northern Illinois during August 2005. Much of Illinois was declared an aqriculture disaster area in early August. Outdoor water restrictions and bans continued in many locations.
• Drought in Texas, August 1 to 31, 200513 eventsThe abnormally dry summer months of June...July and August across the country resulted in moderate to extreme drought conditions. The drought and extreme heat resulted in burn bans for much of the middle red river valley country of Northeast Texas.
• Drought in Wisconsin, August 1 to 30, 200511 eventsBelow normal rainfall in most areas and slightly above normal temperatures for the month of August allowed drought conditions to persist through at least the first half of the month.
• Drought in Arkansas, August 1 to 31, 20059 eventsThe abnormally dry summer months of June...July and August resulted in extreme drought conditions across all of Southwest Arkansas. The drought combined with the extreme heat resulted in burn bans for much of the region as well.
• Drought in Louisiana, August 1 to 31, 20053 eventsExtreme Northwest Louisiana experienced an abnormally dry summer which resulted in severe drought conditions in a few parishes. The drought and extreme heat resulted in burn bans across portions of the region.
• Drought in Oklahoma, August 1 to 31, 20051 eventThe abnormally dry summer months of June...July and August across the county resulted in moderate to excessive drought conditions.
• Drought in Illinois, August 1 to 17, 200519 eventsDrought conditions eased considerably during early and mid August as thunderstorm activity increased to typical levels for mid-summer. Timely rainfall offset the potentially devastating agricultural impacts of this drought.
• Drought in Missouri, August 1 to 19, 200511 eventsDrought conditions eased considerably during early and mid August as thunderstorm activity increased to typical levels for mid-summer. Timely rainfall offset the potentially devastating agricultural impacts of this drought.
• Drought in Colorado, August 1 to 31, 200521 eventsAlthough periodic surges of monsoon moisture brought widespread showers and thunderstorms and locally heavy rains to western Colorado, the general long-term recovery from drought conditions continued at a slow pace.
• Drought in Utah, August 1 to 31, 20057 eventsAlthough periodic surges of monsoon moisture brought widespread showers and thunderstorms and locally heavy rains to eastern Utah, the general long-term recovery from drought conditions continued at a slow pace.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 1 to 2, 20051 eventThe Chicken House Fire, centered nine miles SSE of Dayville, was a lightning caused fire which burned 618 acres. The fire started on July 31st.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 1 to 10, 20051 eventThe Mule Peak Fire, centered 19 miles ESE of Union, was a lightning caused fire which burned 1400 acres. The fire started on July 28th.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 1 to 2, 20051 eventThe Dry Cabin Fire, centered 10 miles southeast of Dayville, was a lightning caused fire which burned 270 acres. The fire started on July 28th.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 1 to 4, 20051 eventThe McKinley Fire, centered 12 miles SSW of Fossil, burned 3,811 acres.
• Wildfire in California, August 1 to 31, 20051 eventThe Crag Fire was lightning caused during extensive convective activity in the Kern Deserts northward into Interior Central California on July 24th. The fire started 5 miles northwest of Kennedy Meadows in Tulare County and burned 600 acres by the end of August.
• Wildfire in California, August 1 to 31, 20051 eventThe Comb Fire was lightning initiated on July 22nd but allowed to burn as a resource fire 18 miles northeast of Grant Grove in Fresno County. It jumped from 1093 acres at the end of July to 7055 acres by the end of August. No injuries occurred nor were any structures lost.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, August 1 to 6, 20051 eventA brush fire that blackened 25,000 acres of mostly vacant land caused the evacuation of two-thirds of the residents of Waikoloa Village, about 1500 homes, in the South Kohala District on the Big Island of Hawaii from the 2nd until the 3rd of August.
• Heat in Pennsylvania, August 2 to 5, 20055 deaths · 8 eventsAnother run of unseasonably hot weather affected eastern Pennsylvania from August 2nd through the 5th. High temperatures reached at least into the mid 90s each afternoon. The heat resulted in five more heat related deaths (4 in Philadelphia, 1 in Montgomery County).
• Heat in New Jersey, August 2 to 5, 200517 eventsAnother run of unseasonably hot weather affected New Jersey from August 2nd through the 5th. High temperatures reached at least into the mid 90s each afternoon with some high temperatures around 100 degrees toward New York City.
• Heat in Maryland, August 2 to 5, 20055 eventsAnother run of unseasonably hot weather affected the Maryland Eastern Shore from August 2nd through the 5th. High temperatures reached into the mid 90s each afternoon. The PJM Interconnection Electricity Grid Operator asked for public conservation of electricity.
• Heat in Delaware, August 2 to 5, 20053 eventsAnother run of unseasonably hot weather affected Delaware from August 2nd through the 5th. High temperatures reached into the mid 90s each afternoon. The PJM Interconnection Electricity Grid Operator asked for public conservation of electricity.
• Wildfire in Washington, August 4 to 13, 20051 eventThe Lick Creek Fire, centered nine miles north of Cle Elum, burned 735 acres.
• Heat and Damaging Winds in Missouri, August 4, 20051 death · $1,000 · 52 kt wind · 3 eventsA 64 year old female from Kansas City in Jackson county died from heat related causes on August 4th.
• Wildfire in Washington, August 5 to 19, 20051 eventThe School Fire, centered 14 miles east of Dayton, burned 49,515 acres. The fire burned across portions of both Columbia (NW Blue Mountains) and Garfield (NE Blue Mountains) Counties.
• Heat in California, August 5 to 8, 20054 eventsThe Central and Southern San Joaquin Valley continued with a consistent hot spell from the 23rd of July through the 12th of August. Fresno Air Terminal recorded 21 consecutive 100+ deg F days that eclipsed a long-standing record of 20 set in 1933 and repeated in 1984.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 7 to 10, 20051 eventThe Rinehart Road Fire, centered 15 miles northeast of La Grande, burned 670 acres.
• Wildfire in California, August 7, 20051 eventLightning ignited an 8 acre brush fire near Oak Grove Truck Trail on Mt Palomar.
• Wildfire in California, August 7 to 9, 20051 eventThe Mace Fire was man-caused and burned 191 acres in Loco Bill Canyon or 18 miles north of Tehachapi in the Kern County Mountains from the 7th through the 9th. The cost to fight the fire was unknown but there were no structures lost nor injuries.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 8 to 22, 20051 eventThe Tryon Complex Fire, centered 15 miles northeast of Imnaha, was a lightning caused fire that burned about 42,736 acres.
• Heat in Illinois, August 8, 20051 death · 1 eventA woman was found slumped over at a bus stop in a southwest neighborhood of Chicago during the late afternoon of Monday, August 8th. She was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. The high temperature at Midway Airport on the 8th was 92 degrees.
• Wildfire in Washington, August 9 to 13, 20051 eventThe McLane Fire, centered 14 miles north of Richland, was started by agricultural burning. The fire burned approximately 6,000 acres.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 11 to 15, 20051 eventThe Spring Creek Fire, centered 13 miles southeast of Meacham, burned 1,165 acres.
• Heat in Pennsylvania, August 11 to 14, 20052 deaths · 8 eventsThe last prolonged run of excessive heat of the summer matched the late July one for both temperatures and relative humidity levels.
• Heat in New Jersey, August 11 to 14, 200517 eventsThe last prolonged run of excessive heat of the summer matched the late July one for both temperatures and relative humidity levels. High temperatures on the 13th and 14th (the two hottest days) reached well into the 90s and even around 100 toward New York City.
• Heat in Maryland, August 11 to 14, 20055 eventsThe last prolonged run of excessive heat of the summer matched the late July one for both temperatures and relative humidity levels.
• Heat in Delaware, August 11 to 15, 20053 eventsThe last prolonged run of excessive heat of the summer matched the late July one for both temperatures and relative humidity levels.
• Heat in California, August 12, 20051 eventA new record was set for the most consecutive days above 60 degrees in Sacramento. The temperature dipped to 59 degrees in Downtown Sacramento on the morning of July 10th then remained above 60 degrees until the morning of August 13th when it dropped to 57 degrees.
• Wildfire in Idaho, August 12 to 15, 20051 eventWildfire 14 miles southeast of Carey burned 25,000 acres of sagebrush and grassland. No damage reported.
• Wildfire in Idaho, August 13 to 28, 20051 eventLightning caused wildfire southwest of Stanley in the Sawtooth Wilderness Area. Fire consumed 15 acres and was allowed to burn.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 14 to 31, 20051 eventThe Burnt Cabin Fire, centered five miles north of Tollgate, burned 1,977 acres. This fire burned into the month of September.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, August 14 to 18, 20053 eventsA blaze that scorched 2850 acres of mainly brush threatened homes, and closed schools and roads for a time, in leeward parts of Oahu. Some residents in and around Nanakuli left their homes voluntarily because of thick smoke in some neighborhoods.
• Wildfire in California, August 14 to 31, 20051 eventThe Corral Fire was lightning started on the 14th in the high Sierra Nevada 11 miles southeast of Mammoth Lakes in Madera County. The fire was allowed to burn unmanaged through August.
• Wildfire and Hail in Colorado, August 16 to 20, 20050.75 in hail · 3 eventsA wildfire ignited by lightning burned 820 acres in a remote area of north central Las Animas County, about 24 miles north of Tobe. No estimates on the cost of containing the fire were available.
• Heat in Mississippi, August 17 to 26, 200547 eventsA "HOT" stretch of weather occurred during the middle to later part of August 2005. This "Heat Wave" covered a large portion of the south and lasted for a period of about 10 days.
• Heat in Louisiana, August 17 to 26, 20059 eventsA "HOT" stretch of weather occurred during the middle to later part of August 2005. This "Heat Wave" covered a large portion of the south and lasted for a period of about 10 days.
• Heat in Arkansas, August 17 to 26, 20052 eventsA "HOT" stretch of weather occurred during the middle to later part of August 2005. This "Heat Wave" covered a large portion of the south and lasted for a period of about 10 days.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 19 to 22, 20051 eventThe Cave Fire, centered 12 miles southeast of Bend, burned 852 acres.
• Wildfire in Washington, August 19 to 20, 20051 eventThe I-82 Fire, centered seven miles ENE of Prosser, burned 2,200 acres.
• Heat in Kentucky, August 19 to 20, 200522 eventsThe heat index rose above 105 degrees across most of western Kentucky on two consecutive afternoons. At Paducah, the peak heat index was 106 degrees on the 19th and 107 on the 20th. At Hopkinsville, the peak heat index was 105 on the 19th and 107 on the 20th.
• Heat in Illinois, August 19 to 20, 200519 eventsThe heat index exceeded 105 degrees on two consecutive afternoons across most of southern Illinois. At Carbondale, the peak heat index was 111 degrees on the 19th and 106 on the 20th.
• Heat in Missouri, August 19 to 20, 200511 eventsThe heat index exceeded 105 degrees on two consecutive afternoons across most of southeast Missouri. At Poplar Bluff, the peak heat index was 107 degrees on the 19th and 111 on the 20th. At Cape Girardeau, the peak heat index was 113 degrees on the 19th and 114 on the 20th.
• Heat in Indiana, August 19 to 20, 20056 eventsThe heat index topped 105 degrees across most of southwest Indiana on two consecutive afternoons. At Evansville, the official peak heat indices were 106 degrees on the 19th and 107 on the 20th.
• Heat in Illinois, August 19, 20051 death · 1 eventA member of the Illinois Wesleyan University football team died from heat stroke several days after falling ill at a morning football practice. Temperatures at the time of the practice were in the middle 80s, with dew points in the lower 70s and a heat index in the lower 90s.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 21 to 25, 20051 eventThe Wills Canyon Fire, centered two miles ESE of Service Creek, was a lightning caused fire that burned 895 acres.
• Wildfire in California, August 21, 20051 eventThe "33" Fire of undetermined origin burned 400 acres 7.6 miles northeast of Madera on the 21st. The cost to fight the fire was unknown but no structures were lost nor injuries occurred.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 23 to 26, 20051 eventThe Fly Fire, centered seven miles southeast of Lehman Hot Springs, was a lightning caused fire that burned 838 acres.
• Wildfire in California, August 26 to 31, 20051 eventA wildfire raced up Blaisdell Canyon on the north face of San Jacinto Mountain and temporarily shutdown the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The cause of the blaze was a campfire that got out of control. The Blaisdell Fire burned 5493 acres before it was extinguished.
• Wildfire in California, August 27 to 29, 20051 eventThe Well Fire was of unknown origin 20 miles north of Tehachapi in the Kern County Mountains. The fire reached 120 acres in size. The cost to fight the fire was unknown but no injuries occurred nor structures lost.
• Drought in Texas, August 28, 2005 to August 13, 2006$230 million · 20 eventsA severe drought caused damage to crops and livestock across the Texas panhandle and lasted for nearly a year.
• Drought in Oklahoma, August 28, 2005 to August 13, 2006$35 million · 3 eventsA severe drought caused damage to crops and livestock across the Oklahoma panhandle and lasted for nearly a year.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 30 to 31, 20051 eventThe Awbrey Saddle Fire, centered six miles NNE of Grizzly, burned 128 acres. This fire burned into the month of September.
• Wildfire in Idaho, August 30, 20051 eventA stubble and brush fire burned 12 acres in Fort Hall. Four homes were evacuated. No damage occurred.
• Wildfire in Colorado, August 31, 20051 eventThis wildfire was named the Blowout Fire and occurred about 5 miles south of Palisade, near Horse Mountain at the base of the Grand Mesa. Warm and dry conditions helped the fire quickly spread across 426 acres of Bureau of Land Management Public Lands.
• Drought in New Jersey, September 1 to 30, 200521 eventsSeptember 2005 was an unseasonably warm and dry month across the state of New Jersey. The unseasonably dry weather began for most in mid August and continued throughout the month. The lack of rain affected both the agriculture and water supplies.
• Drought in Pennsylvania, September 1 to 30, 200510 eventsSeptember 2005 was an unseasonably warm and dry month across the state of Pennsylvania. The unseasonably dry weather began for most in mid August and was mainly an agricultural concern. Nevertheless, several municipalities had to either request or mandate water conservation.
• Drought in Maryland, September 1 to 30, 20055 eventsSeptember 2005 was an unseasonably warm and dry month across the Maryland Eastern Shore and the state of Maryland as a whole.The unseasonably dry weather began for most in mid August and mainly caused problems for crops as groundwater levels remained close to normal.
• Drought in Delaware, September 1 to 30, 20054 eventsSeptember 2005 was an unseasonably warm and dry month across the state of Delaware. The unseasonably dry weather began for most in mid August and mainly caused problems for crops as groundwater levels remained close to normal.
• Drought in Texas, September 1 to 30, 2005$60 million · 26 eventsDrought conditions which began in May continued to plague the region in September. A large area of east and north Texas was considered to be in severe drought (D2) as classified by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
• Drought in West Virginia, September 1 to 30, 200522 eventsAfter a hot summer, the total monthly rainfall was only 0.5 to 0.75 inches for a majority of the northern lowlands and the mountainous areas. In Pocahontas County, the cooperative observer at Frost measured only 0.3 inches of rain for a September total.
• Drought in Wisconsin, September 1 to 30, 200520 eventsThe month began with warm and dry conditions which strengthened the ongoing drought from a severe drought (D2) to an extreme drought (D3) across Rock, Walworth, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha counties on September 6th.
• Drought in Iowa, September 1 to 30, 200520 eventsThe drought of 2005 that started in July continued into September 2005 and October 2005. By September, the drought was affecting mainly hydrologic aspects and to a lesser extent agricultural.
• Drought in Illinois, September 1 to 30, 200515 eventsSevere to extreme drought conditions persisted through the month of September across much of northern Illinois, although there was some improvement in parts of east central Illinois and northeast Illinois, south of the Chicago metro area, especially toward the end of the month.
• Drought in Missouri, September 1 to 30, 200514 eventsThe drought continued to ease across much of the area. Drought conditions were lifted for counties south of the Missouri River but remained for counties to the north.
• Drought in Illinois, September 1 to 30, 200513 eventsThe drought of 2005 that started in June continued into September 2005 and October 2005. By September, the drought was affecting mainly hydrologic aspects and to a lesser extent agricultural.
• Drought in Illinois, September 1 to 30, 200510 eventsThe drought continued to ease across much of the area. Drought conditions were lifted for counties generally south of Interstate 70 but remained for counties to the north.
• Drought in Kentucky, September 1 to 30, 20054 eventsAfter a hot summer, the total monthly rainfall of only 0.75 to 1 inch was common across northeast Kentucky. Temperatures also remained above normal in September. The long term Palmer Drought Index was near minus 3 for the last few weeks of the month.
• Drought in Missouri, September 1 to 30, 20052 eventsThe drought of 2005 that started in July continued into September 2005 and October 2005. By September, the drought was affecting mainly hydrologic aspects and to a lesser extent agricultural.
• Drought in Illinois, September 1 to 19, 20051 eventThe first two weeks of September continued to be very dry, but much needed rainfall around the middle and end of the month allowed drought conditions to improve from extreme (D3) to moderate (D1) by around the 20th.
• Drought in Colorado, September 1 to 30, 200521 eventsAs the monsoon season came to a close there was little change in the long term hydrologic drought situation from the previous month across western Colorado.
• Drought in Utah, September 1 to 30, 20057 eventsAs the monsoon season came to a close there was little change in the long term hydrologic drought situation from the previous month across eastern Utah.
• Wildfire in Colorado, September 1 to 2, 20051 eventThis wildfire was named the Blowout Fire and began on the evening of August 31 and continued into September. The fire occurred about 5 miles south of Palisade, near Horse Mountain at the base of the Grand Mesa.
• Wildfire in Oregon, September 1 to 17, 20051 eventThe Burnt Cabin Fire, centered five miles north of Tollgate, burned 1,977 acres. The fire originally started on August 14th.
• Wildfire in Oregon, September 1 to 4, 20051 eventThe Awbrey Saddle Fire, centered six miles NNE of Grizzly, burned 128 acres. The fire originally started on August 30th.
• Wildfire in California, September 1 to 11, 20051 eventThe Comb Fire was lightning initiated on July 22nd but allowed to burn as a resource fire 18 miles northeast of Grant Grove in Fresno County. At last report on September 11th, it had burned 9418 acres with no injuries or structures lost.
• Wildfire in California, September 1 to 19, 20051 eventThe Crag Fire was lightning initiated on July 24th 5 miles northwest of Kennedy Meadows in Tulare County. Burning for resources benefit, the fire consumed 1098 acres at last report on the 19th. No injuries occurred or structures lost from the fire.
• Wildfire in California, September 1 to 9, 20051 eventThe Corral Fire was lightning started on the 14th of August in the high Sierra Nevada 11 miles southeast of Mammoth Lakes in Madera County. The fire was initially allowed to burn unmanaged through August and became actively managed in early September.

Every billion-dollar disasterEvery storm of 2005Tornadoes in 2005

NOAA NCEI, U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2025), https://doi.org/10.25921/stkw-7w73, and the Storm Events Database for the episodes.