Southern Drought and Heat Wave

Losses, 2024 dollars

$6.9 billion

Losses at the time

$3.5 billion

Deaths

200

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.

• Heat in Arkansas, May 31, 19981 eventThe high temperature of 97 degrees at the Fort Smith Regional Airport (KFSM) was hot enough to break the old record high of 94 degrees Fahrenheit set back in 1934.
• Heat in South Carolina, June 1 to 30, 19981 death · 9 eventsTemperatures for most of the month were well into the 90s and occasionally exceeded 100 degrees. Heat indices were frequently near 110 degrees. Rainfall was well below normal as the CWA was approaching the incipient stage of a drought.
• Heat in Florida, June 1 to 30, 19981 death · 3 eventsA deep high pressure ridge persisted across the Gulf of Mexico and Florida throughout most of the June and into early July. It resulted in several long stretches of record breaking high temperatures.
• Wildfire in Florida, June 1 to 30, 19982 injured · 1 eventLightning strikes and numerous hot spots ignited new wildfires in the Apalachicola National Forest. A temporary shelter was established in Crawfordville. Eight to ten homes were threatened in the Smith Creek area, just north of Sopchoppy.
• Heat in Georgia, June 1 to 30, 199815 eventsTemperatures were well into the 90s and occasionally exceeded 100 degrees throughout the month with heat indices near 110 degrees on several days. Rainfall was well below normal across southeast Georgia which caused the area to approach the incipient drought stage.
• Drought in Texas, June 1 to 30, 1998$150 million · 21 eventsNormal rainfall for June in east Texas is around 4 inches. Many stations experienced 1/4 percent of normal rain while many stations saw no rain the entire month. The dry weather hit farmers the hardest with lost crops including cotton, soybean, rice and grain.
• Heat in Texas, June 1 to 30, 19981 death · 1 eventJune continued where May left off. Excessive heat continued across northeast Texas making June the hottest since 1980.
• Drought in Texas, June 1 to 30, 199825 eventsA severe drought continued across all of West Central Texas. Total crop losses and damage amounts will be tabulated next month.
• Drought in Texas, June 1 to 30, 199824 eventsDrought conditions continued in Southwest Texas and Southeast New Mexico. The Midland International Airport reported 0.30 inches of precipitation for June, which is 1.25 inches below normal.
• Drought in Texas, June 1 to 30, 199823 eventsDrought conditions continue from May. By the end of June, many locations across SE TX were 8-12 inches below normal in rainfall amounts since March. Agriculture losses continue to esculate as well has heat related medical conditions/deaths.
• Drought in Louisiana, June 1 to 30, 199810 eventsUnusually hot and dry weather persisted across much of southeast Louisiana during June. Average temperature departures were 3 to 4 degrees above normal across the region.
• Drought in Louisiana, June 1 to 30, 19988 eventsA mild to moderate drought continued across southwestern and central Louisiana through the month of June. This drough began in mid-May, and will extend through July 1998. There were only two opportunities for rain in June, on the 5th and the 26th.
• Drought in Texas, June 1 to 30, 19986 eventsA mild to moderate drought continued across southeast Texas in the month of June. Only two days provided any relief from the dry weather - June 5th and June 26th.
• Heat in Louisiana, June 1 to 30, 19989 deaths · 2 eventsJune 1998 suffered prolonged and excessively high temperatures throughout the month making it the 3rd hottest on record. The average monthly temperature was 84.9 degrees Fahrenheit (F) which was 5.5 degrees above normal. This was beat only by 85.8 degrees F.
• Drought in Louisiana, June 1 to 30, 1998$15 million · 17 eventsOnly 1.35 inches of rain fell during June 1998. this brought the three month period total for April, May, and June to 2.29 inches. Of the 1.35 inches of rain, 1.25 inches occurred in a 24 hour period on the 4th and 5th.
• Drought in Texas, June 1 to 30, 199824 eventsThe ongoing drought across West Texas caused significant crop damage across the South Plains, extreme southern panhandle, and the Low Rolling Plains in June. This event will be described in more detail in later months after the impact on crops is better known.
• Drought in New Mexico, June 1 to 30, 19983 eventsDrought conditions continued in Southwest Texas and Southeast New Mexico. The Midland International Airport reported 0.30 inches of precipitation for June, which is 1.25 inches below normal.
• Drought in Hawaii, June 1 to 30, 19984 eventsWidely variable amounts of precipitation occurred across the state. This is not out of the ordinary for the month of June, which is one of the drier months of the year.
• Heat in Texas, June 1 to 19, 19982 deaths · 2 eventsA prolonged excessive heat event began across portions of north Texas in late May and continued through early September.
• Heat in Texas, June 2, 19982 injured · 1 eventExcessive heat and drought conditions affected western and central Oklahoma as well as 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 across central and…
• Heat in Florida, June 3, 19981 death · 1 eventThe Lee County Health Department reported that an eleven month old female, left unattended in an unventilated, non-airconditioned room, died from the affects of heat in Ft Myers.
• Wildfire in North Carolina, June 3 to 5, 19981 eventLightning sparked a forest fire just east of Shaw Highway, N of 210 that burned 695 acres on the western edge of Holly Shelter Game Land.
• Heat in Florida, June 5, 19981 injured · 1 eventA 54-year-old male collapsed while riding his bicycle on Third Street in Jacksonville Beach.
• Heat in Texas, June 9, 19981 death · 1 eventTeenager died from excessive heat (playing basketball).
• Wildfire in Florida, June 11 to 27, 19981 eventSeveral small wildfires were ignited by lightning: five acres consumed in the Juniper Creek Island area;two acres scorched in the Prison Rd area; and 60 acres destroyed along the Liberty-Franklin County line off SR 67. No homes were threatened.
• Heat in Florida, June 13, 19981 death · 1 eventThe Lee County Health Department reported that 46 year-old man was found dead from the affects of heat and alcohol in the back of a closed van on the 15000 block of North Cleveland Avenue.
• Drought in South Carolina, June 15 to 30, 199815 eventsThunderstorms, despite their intensity, became few in coverage and by the end of the month crops were badly in need of rainfall. Many crops began to appear damaged.
• Wildfire in Florida, June 18 to 19, 19981 eventWildfires consumed 75 acres of timberland along the northeastern edge of the San Pedro Bay fire complex, about three miles west of Day. No homes were threatened. A local state of emergency was declared for Lafayette County on June 18.
• Wildfire in Florida, June 18 to 19, 19981 eventA 35-acre wildfire threatened several homes off CR 145, northeast of Madison. No damage or injuries were reported. A smaller fire burned three acres off CR 146, about five miles northwest of Madison. Cherry Lake and Madison VFDs responded.
• Wildfire in Florida, June 18 to 20, 19981 injured · 1 eventA 100-acre fire in Lake Pippin Estates in Okaloosa County crossed into Walton County. SR 20 was closed until containment. One firefighter was injured. Approximately 50 homes were threatened, but none were damaged.
• Wildfire in Florida, June 19 to 30, 19981 eventLightning sparked three wildfires in the sparsely-populated 50,000-acre San Pedro Bay Forest, six miles northeast of Perry, consuming 30,213 acres.
• Heat in Louisiana, June 19, 19981 death · 1 eventA shrimper was sorting his catch on a dock when he collapsed. He was rushed to a Houma hospital where died a short time later from heat exhaustion.
• Wildfire in Florida, June 19 to 30, 19981 eventLightning ignited several wildfires in the sparsely-populated California Swamp Forest, about seven miles north of Suwannee, consuming 234 acres. A local state of emergency was declared for Dixie County on June 26.
• Heat in Oklahoma, June 20, 19981 eventThe low temperature at the Tulsa International Airport on June 20 was 82 degrees Fahrenheit, occurring at 506 AM CDT. This breaks the previous record high minimum temperature of 77 degrees set in 1964.
• Heat in Pennsylvania, June 20 to 21, 19981 death · 1 eventA hot weekend on June 20th and 21st caused the first heat related death within the City of Philadelphia as a 73-year-old man died. The windows of his home were completely shut with no air conditioning.
• Heat in New Jersey, June 20, 199830 injured · 1 eventThirty persons in Camden that attended the Mellon Jazz Festival at the Wiggins Waterfront Park fainted in the 90-degree-heat. The high temperature at Philadelphia International Airport reached 92 degrees. It was the first 90 degree day in the month of June.
• Wildfire in Florida, June 20, 19981 eventA 60-acre wildfire erupted at the intersection of Gibson and Airport Rds, near the Apalachicola Municipal Airport. The fire was contained with a few hot spots remaining. No homes were threatened.
• Heat in New Mexico, June 20 to 30, 199821 eventsMuch of New Mexico was grilled by record heat and nagging dryness during the last 10 days of June.
• Wildfire in Florida, June 20 to 23, 19981 eventLightning-ignited wildfires became a fast-moving crown fire in the Depot Creek area, about eight miles east of Port St. Joe. Considerable smoke and ash closed US 98. 30 firefighters battled the blazes. After containment, approximately 1,300 acres were consumed.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, June 21 to 22, 19981 eventA brush fire located off Honoapiilani Highway between McGregor Point and the Pali Tunnel burned 200 acres and sent about 70 people to local shelters until the blaze was contained.
• Heat in Oklahoma, June 21, 19981 death · 1 eventAn 81-year old woman was found dead in her Oklahoma City home.
• Heat in Kentucky, June 22 to 29, 19981 death · 22 eventsTemperatures exceeded 90 degrees for at least 7 consecutive days. High humidity resulted in excessive heat indicies approaching 110 degrees. Heat was blamed for the death of a 47-year-old Daviess County man who was mowing the lawn during the late afternoon.
• Heat in Illinois, June 22 to 29, 19981 death · 19 eventsTemperatures exceeded 90 degrees for at least 7 consecutive days. Oppressive humidity produced heat indicies as high as 110 degrees. The prolonged heat and humidity resulted in the death of an elderly man in Johnston City, near Marion.
• Heat in Oklahoma, June 22, 19986 injured · 1 eventIn the wake of the storm in Tulsa on the early morning of June 21, about 25,000 PSO customers in Tulsa remained without electricity on Monday evening, June 22.
• Heat in Alabama, June 22, 19981 death · 1 eventA three year old boy in Mobile was left inside a van at a day care center all day. He was not discovered until the late afternoon and had been dead for a few hours. He died of heat stroke.
• Heat in Missouri, June 23 to 30, 19983 deaths · 143 injured · 6 eventsThe first heat wave of the summer caused 3 deaths and at least 143 heat related injuries. High temperatures wee in the middle 90s with the heat index from 105 to 110.
• Heat in Illinois, June 23 to 30, 19981 death · 122 injured · 4 eventsThe first heat wave of the summer caused 1 death and over 120 heat related injuries. The bulk of the injuries in Madison County occurred at an NHRA drag racing event that was held at Gateway International Raceway June 25-28. The 1 death occurred in East St. Louis, St.
• Wildfire in Florida, June 23 to 24, 19981 eventLightning sparked two major wildfires, one near the junction of SR 71 and SR 73, and the other near Scotts Ferry. 121 acres were destroyed. No homes were threatened.
• Heat in Illinois, June 24 to 28, 199810 deaths · 1 eventDaytime temperatures were in the lower to middle 90s with dewpoints in the 70s on the 24th and 25th, producing heat indices of 102 to 107. Thunderstorms brought some relief from the heat on the 26th, though humidity was still high.
• Heat in Florida, June 24, 19981 death · 1 eventThe Lee County Health Department reported that a 44 year-old male died from the combined affects of heat and alcohol in an enclosed parked van in North Ft Myers.
• Heat in Wisconsin, June 25, 199821 injured · 1 eventHigh levels of heat and humidity over Milwaukee County, amplified by the "urban heat-island" effect, resulted in 21 people being treated at area hospitals for heat-related injuries/exhaustion.
• Heat in Pennsylvania, June 25 to 26, 19983 deaths · 5 eventsExcessive heat for two days brought some of the highest temperatures of the summer and caused three heat related deaths in Southeast Pennsylvania. The hot weather ended abruptly with severe thunderstorms during the late afternoon of the 26th.
• Heat in New Jersey, June 25 to 26, 199820 injured · 14 eventsA two day hot spell brought some of the highest temperatures of the summer to New Jersey and ended abruptly with a few severe thunderstorms in the southern half of the state during the late afternoon of the 26th. There were about 20 reported heat related problems in the state.
• Heat in Delaware, June 25 to 26, 19981 death · 3 eventsA two day hot spell brought some of the highest temperatures of the summer to the Delmarva Peninsula and ended abruptly with severe thunderstorms during the late afternoon and early evening of the 26th. The excessive heat caused the death of an 84-year-old Wilmington woman.
• Heat in Maryland, June 25 to 26, 19985 eventsA two day hot spell brought some of the highest temperatures of the summer to the Delmarva Peninsula and ended abruptly with a few severe thunderstorms during the late afternoon and early evening of the 26th.
• Heat in Oklahoma, June 26, 19981 death · 1 eventA 40-year old man in Tulsa collapsed from heat stroke on June 26 and later died on July 13. After a morning low in Tulsa of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the high temperature reached 96 degrees with a heat index was around 105 degrees.
• Heat in Oklahoma, June 26, 19981 eventThe low temperature at the Tulsa International Airport on June 26 was 80 degrees Fahrenheit, recorded at 635 AM CDT. This was enough to tie the record high minimum temperature for the date previously set in 1978.
• Heat in Illinois, June 26 to 28, 19981 death · 35 eventsA hot and humid airmass built in across Central Illinois late in June. High temperatures on June 26th and 27th climbed into the middle and upper 90s. This combined with the high humidity values produced heat indicies of 105 to 110 degrees at times.
• Wildfire in Florida, June 26 to 30, 19981 eventLightning sparked several brushfires in the towns of Southport, Highland Park, Bayou George, and Cedar Grove. The largest, Southport, scorched 49 acres. A total of 84 acres was consumed. No homes were threatened.
• Heat in Tennessee, June 27, 19981 death · 1 eventVictim was found by neighbors on the morning of the 27th. He had been deceased for a day or two, so the exact time and date of death is unknown. He lived in a low-income, high crime area and lived on a fixed income.
• Heat in Tennessee, June 28, 19981 death · 1 eventVictim was found by neighbors in the afternoon of the 28th. She had been deceased for a day or two, so the exact time and date of death is unknown. She lived in a low-income, high crime area and lived on a fixed income.
• Heat in Oklahoma, June 29, 19981 death · 1 eventExcessive heat and drought conditions affected western and central Oklahoma as well as 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 across central and…
• Heat and Damaging Winds in North Carolina, June 29, 19982 deaths · 50 kt wind · 5 eventsA string of several days in the upper 90s to near 100 degrees resulted in the death of an elderly couple when their home's air conditioning failed. The date and time of death was estimated.
• Heat in Alabama, June 29, 19981 death · 1 eventA 68 year old female in Atmore was found dead in a closed up house with no air conditioner. It is unknown what time she died. Relatives found her body on a couch. The house was extremely hot. Autopsy reports indicated that one of the causes of her death was hypothermia.
• Heat in Kansas, June 29, 19981 eventThe high temperature at the Dodge City airport reached 110 degrees which was the all-time high temperature, ever. The previous hottest temperature was 109. This heat lastted for about a week.
• Drought in New Jersey, June 30, 19988 eventsThe snowfall accumulation season of 1997-98 (which ran from July 1, 1997 through June 30, 1998) was one of the least snowiest seasons on record in central and southern New Jersey.
• Drought in Pennsylvania, June 30, 19988 eventsThe snowfall accumulation season of 1997-98 (which ran from July 1, 1997 through June 30, 1998) was one of the least snowiest seasons on record at both the Lehigh Valley International and Philadelphia International Airports.
• Wildfire in Florida, July 1 to 10, 199865 injured · $380 million · 3 eventsThe excessive heat and lack of rain that existed over east central Florida for much of June and July resulted in wild fires beginning in June and spreading over huge areas of Volusia and Brevard counties in late June and early July.
• Drought in North Carolina, July 1 to 31, 199829 eventsDry weather continued through much of the month of July, affecting crops during the critical part of the growing season. Corn and other vegetables sustained the most damage, but a dollar amount was not available at the time of this writing.
• Drought in South Carolina, July 1 to 31, 199815 eventsDry weather continued through most of the month of July, affecting crops during the critical part of the growing season. Corn and other vegetables sustained the most damage, but a dollar amount was not available at the time of this writing.
• Drought in Georgia, July 1 to 31, 19986 eventsDry weather continued through much of the month of July, affecting crops during the critical part of the growing season. Corn and other vegetable sustained the most damage, but a dollar amount was not available at the time of this writing.
• Heat in Texas, July 1 to 31, 199832 deaths · 46 eventsA prolonged excessive heat event continued across north Texas in July. This heat wave was the result of existing drought conditions combined with a persistent upper level ridge of high pressure.
• Heat in Louisiana, July 1 to 31, 19986 deaths · 1 eventJuly started off where June ended. Another month for the record book concerning the excessive heat wave of 1998. The average temperature was 88.5 degrees or the warmest July on record and the warmest month on record for any year.
• Heat in Texas, July 1 to 31, 19985 deaths · 1 eventNortheast Texas saw much of the same heat in July as they did in June with record or near record heat. July was the hottest month for most of northeast Texas since 1980.
• Heat in Louisiana, July 1 to 31, 19982 deaths · 1 eventJuly started off where June ended as yet another month for the record book with excessive heat. A total of 27 days were 100 degrees or higher and 5 days reached 105 degrees or higher.
• Drought in Texas, July 1 to 31, 199846 eventsThe severe drought that began across north Texas in April persisted through July. In the period from April 1, 1998 through July 31, 1998, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport was 8.18 inches below normal on rainfall, while Waco was running 9.84 inches below normal.
• Drought in Louisiana, July 1 to 31, 199827 eventsUnusually hot and dry weather conditions continued across much of southeast Louisiana during July. Average temperature departures were around 3 degrees above normal across the region.
• Drought in Texas, July 1 to 31, 199824 eventsDrought conditions continued in Southwest Texas and Southeast New Mexico. Agricultural losses will be great but will not be included until the end of the drought or the end of the harvest when totals are calculated.
• Drought in Texas, July 1 to 31, 199824 eventsThe ongoing West Texas drought continued to cause significant crop damage across the Texas South Plains, the extreme southern Panhandle, and the Low Rolling Plains in July.
• Drought in Texas, July 1 to 31, 199823 eventsDrought conditions continue from June. Very little rainfall across SE TX combined with soaring temperatures continue to plague agricultural and medical conditions.
• Drought in Texas, July 1 to 31, 199821 events
• Drought in Louisiana, July 1 to 31, 199817 events
• Drought in Louisiana, July 1 to 31, 19988 eventsA mild to severe drought continued for the third straight month across southwest Louisiana. Most places only saw 2 to 3 inches of rain the entire month of July. Specific dollar figure damages will be listed in the August 1998 Storm Data.
• Drought in Texas, July 1 to 31, 19986 eventsA mild to severe drought continued for the third straight month across southeast Texas. Most places saw less than two to three inches of rain the entire month of July.
• Drought in New Mexico, July 1 to 31, 19983 eventsDrought conditions continued in Southwest Texas and Southeast New Mexico. Agricultural losses will be great but will not be included until the end of the drought or the end of the harvest when totals are calculated.
• Drought in Hawaii, July 1 to 31, 19984 eventsRainfall amounts were generally less than average across the state. This was after two months of near to above average precipitation in many locations.
• Wildfire in Florida, July 1 to 3, 19981 eventA 100+ acre wildfire erupted on the Franklin-Liberty County line, 12 miles north of Carrabelle off SR 67. Two homes were protected. The DOF, Carrabelle FD and Florida National Guard supported the firefighting efforts.
• Heat in Illinois, July 1 to 2, 19982 deaths · 1 eventA heat wave in late June caused 10 heat deaths between June 26 and June 29 in Chicago. Tow more deaths occurred in early July even though the heat had subsided.
• Heat and Damaging Winds in South Carolina, July 2 to 27, 19982 deaths · 65 kt wind · 8 eventsAn 84 year old male and a 63 year old female were found dead in their mobile home in Elgin of heat stress. The home was not air conditioned and the temperature inside reached to at least 100 degrees with no ventilation.
• Heat in Texas, July 3, 19981 death · 1 eventA 75 year-old man died in his house in Wichita Falls due to the excessive heat.
• Wildfire in Florida, July 3 to 14, 19981 eventA 800+ acre wildfire (through the merging of three separate fires), the "Hot Water Fire", located at intersection of CR 388 West and SH 77 North near Southport forced the mandatory evacuation of 150 residents in the Newpoint subdivision of Southport.
• Heat in Oklahoma, July 6 to 31, 19985 deaths · 15 eventsA blistering heat wave struck the south-central part of the nation during July 1998, including much of eastern Oklahoma. A drought also accompanied the heat wave in southeast Oklahoma, combining with the heat wave to cause devastating crop damage.
• Drought in Oklahoma, July 6 to 31, 1998$500 million · 9 eventsA devastating drought and heat wave affected southeastern Oklahoma farmers during the month of July. At McAlester, the only rainfall during July was 0.19" on the first two days of the month.
• Heat in Oklahoma, July 9, 19981 death · 1 eventA 73 year-old man died in his home in Oklahoma City due to the excessive heat.
• Wildfire in Florida, July 10, 199814 injured · 15 eventsFlordia's wildfires began on May 25, 1998 and burnt parts of Northeast Florida. A large area of high pressure settled over Florida in the late Spring, keeping the traditional thunderstorms from forming. Lightning sparked most of the brush fires in hard to reach dry woods.
• Heat in Oklahoma, July 10, 19981 death · 1 eventA 79 year-old man died in his mobile home in Mulhall due to the excessive heat.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 10 to 12, 19982 eventsLightning caused a range fire about ten miles north of Condon on the evening of July 10. That fire was put out a few hours later then lightning struck again and started a wild fire that lasted into the evening of the 11th.
• Heat in Oklahoma, July 11, 19981 death · 1 eventA 51 year-old woman died in her home in Wewoka due to the excessive heat.
• Heat and Damaging Winds in Texas, July 13, 19981 death · $11,000 · 4 eventsHeat related death at residence (no a/c).
• Heat and Hail in Texas, July 14, 19981 death · 4 injured · $380,000 · 1.75 in hail · 21 eventsHeat related death (no a/c).
• Heat in Texas, July 14, 19981 death · 1 eventExcessive 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.
• Heat in Wisconsin, July 14, 19983 injured · 1 eventThree people in the city of Sheboygan were treated in local hospitals for heat exhaustion due to high temperatures around 90 after morning lows around 70 degrees and afternoon dewpoints in the 70s creating oppressive heat conditions.
• Heat in Illinois, July 14 to 15, 19983 deaths · 1 eventA minor heat wave with heat indices in the middel 90s resulted in 3 heat related deaths in suburban Cook County.
• Wildfire in Colorado, July 14, 19981 eventLightning sparked at least a dozen fires primarily on public lands.
• Heat and Hail in Texas, July 15, 19981 death · $3,000 · 0.75 in hail · 2 eventsHeat related death. Deceased lived in a metal shed.
• Heat in Missouri, July 16 to 21, 19981 death · 1 eventTemperatures climbed into the 90s for six straight days from July 16-21. Numerous hospitals in Kansas City reported treating heat related illnesses during this period.
• Wildfire in Colorado, July 16, 19981 eventLightning ignited a fire in the San Juan National Forest. Ten acres of Gambel Oak and Ponderosa Pine were burned.
• Heat in Oklahoma, July 17, 19981 death · 1 eventA 79 year-old man died in his home in Altus due to the excessive heat.
• Wildfire in Montana, July 17 to 23, 1998$525,000 · 1 eventDry lightning set off a wildfire which burned 133 acres near the Parkside Campground in the Beartooth National Forest.
• Wildfire in Montana, July 17 to 19, 1998$200,000 · 1 eventA wildfire which was believed to have been set by lightning burned 1850 acres on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.
• Heat in Missouri, July 18 to 22, 1998137 injured · 7 eventsHigh temperatures in the middle to upper 90s along with Heat Index readings around 110 resulted in numerous heat related injuries across the region. Fortunately, there were no deaths attributed to the heat.
• Heat in Illinois, July 18 to 22, 199819 injured · 2 eventsHigh temperatures in the middle to upper 90s along with Heat Index readings around 110 resulted in some heat related injuries in Madison and St. Clair counties.
• Heat in Missouri, July 18 to 21, 19983 injured · 11 eventsSeveral days of excessive heat and humidity caused heat stress on those who were unprepared. Daytime highs were in the middle 90s with afternoon heat indicies up to 110 degrees. Three heat-related illnesses were reported at local hospitals.
• Heat and Damaging Winds in Wisconsin, July 19, 199810 injured · $247,000 · 9 eventsA warm front spawned severe thunderstorms in the early morning across southcentral and southeast Wisconsin, resulting in downburst winds which toppled numerous trees and power lines.
• Heat in Oklahoma, July 19, 19983 deaths · 3 eventsThree people died on the 19th due to the excessive heat. The first fatality occurred to a man of unknown age. He was found dead in his vehicle in Oklahoma City (Oklahoma County).
• Wildfire in Colorado, July 19, 19981 eventLightning ignited two brush and forest fires.
• Heat in Arkansas, July 20 to 31, 19982 deaths · 7 eventsA blistering heat wave struck the south-central part of the nation in July 1998, including much of western and northwestern Arkansas. The second half of the month also saw little, if any, rainfall in northwest Arkansas.
• Heat in Pennsylvania, July 20 to 23, 199811 deaths · 75 injured · 6 eventsA heat wave affected Southeast Pennsylvania from July 20th through the 23rd. Eleven persons died (Eight in Philadelphia and three in Montgomery County.) from the heat. They were usually discovered in homes with closed windows and inadequate ventilation.
• Heat in Delaware, July 20 to 24, 19988 injured · 4 eventsA heat wave affected Delaware during the work week of July 20th. The hottest day for the heat wave and the summer (in central and southern Delaware) was the 22nd. There were at least eight heat related injuries throughout the state.
• Heat in New Jersey, July 20 to 23, 199818 eventsA heat wave affected Central and Southern New Jersey from July 20th through the 23rd. This heat wave brought the highest temperatures of the year, mainly across the central and eastern parts of the state. The hottest days of the heat wave were the 21st and 22nd.
• Heat in Maryland, July 20 to 24, 19985 eventsA heat wave affected the Maryland Eastern Shore during the work week of July 20th. The hottest day for the heat wave and the summer for most areas was the 22nd. A weak trough brought in slightly cooler air on the 23rd.
• Heat in Maryland, July 20 to 23, 19982 deaths · 2 injured · 12 eventsAfter an unusually pleasant start to the month, a singular heat wave affected much of Maryland west of the Chesapeake Bay during the climatological peak of highest annual temperatures.
• Heat in Virginia, July 20 to 23, 199822 eventsAfter an unusually pleasant start to the month, a singular heat wave affected northern Virginia during the climatological peak of highest annual temperatures.
• Heat in District of Columbia, July 20 to 23, 19981 eventAfter an unusually pleasant start to the month, a singular heat wave affected the Washington metropolitan region during the climatological peak of highest annual temperatures.
• Heat in Oklahoma, July 20, 19981 death · 1 eventA 78 year-old woman died in her house in Duncan due to the excessive heat.
• Heat in Texas, July 21, 19981 death · 1 eventHeat related death (no a/c).
• Heat in West Virginia, July 21 to 22, 19983 eventsAfter an unusually pleasant start to the month, a singular heat wave affected the eastern panhandle of West Virginia during the climatological peak of the highest annual temperatures.
• Heat in Oklahoma, July 21, 19981 death · 1 eventA 78 year-old woman died in her home in Guthrie due to the excessive heat. Reports indicated she rejected numerous offers of an air conditioner.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 21, 19981 eventA brush fire burned about 100 acres on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Highway 26 was closed for about an hour to give fire fighters quick access to the area. High wind complicated fire fighting efforts. The source of the fire appeared to be a dump site.
• Heat in Missouri, July 21, 19981 death · 1 eventAn elderly women (exact age unknown) was overcome by excessive heat. She lived in Springfield, MO (Greene County) and had a history of health problems.
• Heat in North Carolina, July 22 to 23, 199831 eventsExcessive heat plagued central North Carolina during July 22 through July 23. Maximum temperatures reached the 98 to 103 degree range combined with dew points in the 78 to 80 degree range with little wind to give heat index values of around 110 degrees for several hours each…
• Heat in Oklahoma, July 22, 19983 injured · 1 eventThree US Army troop members from Fort Sill were rushed to a local hospital and treated for heat related injuries.
• Wildfire in Colorado, July 22, 19981 eventLightning ignited several forest and brush fires on Grass Mesa.
• Heat in California, July 24, 19981 death · 1 eventWhile the temperature was not high on July 24, there had been a stretch of days from the 16th through the 20th that were quite hot in Central California, including the Kern Deserts.
• Heat in Oregon, July 26 to 28, 19981 death · 1 eventA three day heat wave brought record high temperatures to western Oregon July 26-28.
• Heat in Texas, July 26, 19981 death · 1 eventHeat related death (no a/c).
• Heat in Oklahoma, July 27, 19982 deaths · 2 eventsTwo persons died on the 27th due to the excessive heat. The first victim was a 61 year-old man who was found dead in his Oklahoma City (Oklahoma County) home. The other victim was also found dead in his home, this time in Cromwell (Seminole County).
• Wildfire in Washington, July 27 to 28, 1998$645,000 · 2 eventsDry and windy conditions help spread small wild fires across farm fields in central Whitman county. Several fires were reported from La Crosse to Endicott to St. John with over 600 acres of wheat and barely burned.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 27 to 29, 19982 eventsTwo large fires and several small fires were touched off by lightning during the last week in July on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in southwestern Wasco and northwestern Jefferson Counties. The largest fire burned nearly 1,000 acres.
• Wildfire in Washington, July 27 to 31, 19981 eventA lightning caused wild fire burned more than 18,500 acres of grassland and forest in Klickitat County. At least 17 outbuildings, including five homes, were destroyed. The entire town of Cleveland was evacuated.
• Heat in Texas, July 27, 19981 death · 1 eventHeat related death (no a/c).
• Heat in Texas, July 29, 19982 deaths · 2 eventsHeat related death (no a/c).
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 29 to 31, 19981 eventLightning caused a brush fire on the Naval Bombing range south of Boradman that burned more than 30,000 acres. Strong shifting wind, difficult terrain, and heavy brush hampered fire fighting efforts. One hundred fifty Naval and civilian fire fighters fought the fire.
• Heat in Oklahoma, July 30, 19981 death · 1 eventExcessive heat and drought conditions affected western and central Oklahoma from May through early October with the most intense heat and severe drought conditions occurring from mid-June through early September across central and southern Oklahoma.
• Drought in New Jersey, July 31, 199820 eventsJuly 1998 started a run of drier than normal weather across New Jersey. On a county weighted average, rainfall totals for the month of July were between 1.5 and 3.0 inches and averaged about half of normal.
• Drought in Pennsylvania, July 31, 199810 eventsJuly 1998 started a run of drier than normal weather across Southeastern Pennsylvania. On a county weighted average, rainfall totals for the month of July were between 1.7 and 2.8 inches and averaged about half of normal.
• Drought in Maryland, July 31, 19985 eventsJuly 1998 started a run of drier than normal weather across most of the Maryland Eastern Shore. On a county weighted average, rainfall totals for the month of July were between 1.2 and 2.4 inches and were about half of normal.
• Drought in Delaware, July 31, 19984 eventsJuly 1998 started a run of drier than normal weather across much of Delaware. On a county weighted average, rainfall totals for the month of July were between 1.7 and 2.4 inches and averaged about half of normal. The driest conditions occurred across Sussex County.
• Drought in Virginia, August 1 to 31, 199820 eventsPersistent high pressure brought unusually dry weather during the entire month for much of northern and central Virginia. Only 0.45 inches of rain fell at Washington Dulles Airport (VAZ042), which was significantly less than the normal of 3.94 inches.
• Drought in Maryland, August 1 to 31, 19987 eventsPersistent high pressure brought unusually dry weather to central and lower southern Maryland. Only 0.91 inches of rain fell at Baltimore/Washington International Airport (MDZ014), compared with the monthly normal of 3.91 inches.
• Drought in West Virginia, August 1 to 31, 19986 eventsPersistent high pressure brought unusually dry weather to portions of eastern West Virginia. Less than 1 inch of rain fell across much of the region; values which were only 25 percent of normal for the month.
• Drought in District of Columbia, August 1 to 31, 1998$5,000 · 1 eventPersistent high pressure produced unusually dry conditions during the entire month. Only 0.59 inches of rain fell at Washington/National Airport - compared to the normal of 3.91 inches. The National Arboretum in Northeast Washington was hardest hit by the drought.
• Drought in Texas, August 1 to 31, 1998$191 million · 23 eventsDrought conditions continue from July. After months of extremely dry and hot weather across SE Texas, relief came late in the month with welcomed rainfall and slightly cooler temperatures.
• Drought in Texas, August 1 to 31, 1998$150 million · 24 eventsThe devastating drought of 1998 that began when little or no rain fell during the normally wet spring months continued through the end of summer.
• Drought in Louisiana, August 1 to 31, 1998$77 million · 27 eventsEast Central and Southeast Louisiana saw another hot month as average temperatures were 2 to 3 degrees above normal for August.
• Drought in Louisiana, August 1 to 31, 1998$138 million · 13 eventsThe drought of 1998 continued in the month of August across southwest and central Louisiana. Between four and five inches of rain fell in the entire month of August across this region, which was actually the most in a month since April 1998.
• Drought in Texas, August 1 to 31, 199824 eventsDespite average rains for the month of August across the Texas South Plains, extreme southern Panhandle, and Low Rolling Plains, the long-term drought across the region continued to harm agriculture.
• Drought in Texas, August 1 to 31, 199824 eventsA severe drought continues across the region. Damage estimates will be compiled after the fall harvest.
• Drought in Texas, August 1 to 31, 199820 eventsA moderate to severe drought continued in August across the Texas panhandle as reported by the USGS. A voluntary water rationing was still in effect for the Amarillo area through most of the month. A burn ban continued in effect for most counties.
• Heat in Oklahoma, August 1 to 2, 19981 eventOn August 1, 1998, the high temperature at the McAlester Regional Airport (KMLC) was 107 degrees, breaking the old record high temperature for the date.
• Drought in New Mexico, August 1 to 31, 19983 eventsA severe drought continues across the region. Damage estimates will be compiled after the fall harvest.
• Drought in Hawaii, August 1 to 31, 19984 eventsRainfall amounts were quite varied across the state for the month of August. Most of the island of Kauai received above normal rainfall along with the northeast and extreme northern sections of the Big Island.
• Drought in American Samoa, August 1 to 31, 19984 eventsAugust was on the dry side again, it was one of the driest August since 1967 (in the top 4). Rainfall in August totalled 1.59 inches or 5.12 inches below the normal of 6.71 at WSO-Pago Pago.
• Heat in Oklahoma, August 2, 19981 death · 1 eventA 53 year-old man died in his Oklahoma City home due to the excessive heat.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 2 to 11, 19982 eventsA wild fire burned 500 acres of rangeland about 5 miles west of Madras and prompted the evacuation of about 150 homes. No homes burned, however, one outbuilding and some farm equipment was destroyed by the fire.
• Heat in Texas, August 2, 19982 deaths · 2 eventsHeat related death.
• Wildfire and Heavy Rain in Washington, August 2 to 30, 19981 injured · $92 million · 8 eventsLightning sparked a large fire at Twenty five mile creek on Lake Chelan. Over 6300 acres of forest land have burned. The fire was allowed to burn out and will not be officially out until mid October.
• Heat in Texas, August 3, 19983 deaths · 3 eventsHeat related death.
• Heat in Oklahoma, August 3, 19981 death · 1 eventA 82 year-old woman died in her Oklahoma City home due to the excessive heat.
• Heat in Texas, August 3 to 13, 19985 deaths · 1 eventA prolonged excessive heat event continued across portions of North Texas in August. A 67 year old woman was found in her home on 08/03/98. The cause of death was determined to be hyperthermia and high blood pressure.A 44 year old man was found on a Dallas Street on 08/04/98.
• Heat in California, August 4 to 6, 19981 death · 3 injured · 3 eventsTemperatures in the Kern County Deserts soared to greater than 110 degrees in several locations during the period of August 4th through 6th. The China Lake/Ridgecrest/Inyokern area climbed to 111 degrees F. on August 4th and 112 on the 5th.
• Heat in Texas, August 5, 19983 deaths · 3 eventsHeat related death (no a/c).
• Wildfire in New Jersey, August 5, 19981 eventThe unseasonably warm and dry weather contributed to a three-quarter acre grass and forest fire near Jockey Hollow in Morristown. The fire was quickly contained and there were no reports of injuries or property damage.
• Heat in Oklahoma, August 5, 19981 death · 1 eventExcessive heat and drought conditions affected western and central Oklahoma from May through early October with the most intense heat and severe drought conditions occurring from mid-June through early September across central and southern Oklahoma.
• Heat in Texas, August 6, 19981 death · 1 eventHeat related death (no a/c).
• Wildfire in Idaho, August 12 to 21, 1998$75,000 · 4 eventsTruck sparked a fire in a wheat field, damaging 15 acres of wheat and 1 acre of timber. Truck was also destroyed.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 13 to 18, 1998$100,000 · 1 eventAn accidentally human-caused fire consumed 260 acres of timber on steep ridges along the North Fork of the Willamette River east of Road 19 near Huckleberry Flats in the High Prairie area.
• Wildfire in Colorado, August 14, 19981 eventLightning strikes ignited four fires in the Piceance Basin. The fires burned 30 to 40 acres of brush and trees.
• Wildfire in Colorado, August 14, 19981 eventLightning ignited a fire in the Cold Springs Wilderness Study Area. The fire burned 125 acres of brush and trees.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 15 to 16, 19982 eventsTwo grass fires near Pendleton burned more than 40,000 acres of grass land and wheat stubble, one home, several unoccupied buildings, and ten cars.
• Wildfire in Nebraska, August 16, 19981 eventLightning touched off a grass fire which burned 80 acres of conservation grassland, 15 miles southeast of Kimball. The fire took firefighters 2 hours to extinguish it.
• Wildfire in Montana, August 17 to 18, 19982 eventsDry lightning set off two wildfires in Sweet Grass County. One near Bridger Creek southeast of Greycliff burned 320 acres. The other burned 80 acres near Dear Creek southwest of Greycliff.
• Wildfire in Montana, August 18, 19981 eventDry lightning set off a wildfire on Prior Creek Road on the Crow Indian Reservation which burned 25 acres of grassland and timber.
• Wildfire in Nebraska, August 19, 19981 eventA fire, which was caused by lightning, burned 10 acres of grass and small timber before being controlled by firefighters.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 19 to 22, 19981 eventLightning caused a 160 acre forest fire in extreme southwestern Jefferson County. Campers in the southern part of the Mount Jefferson Wilderness area were evacuated.
• Heat in New Jersey, August 22 to 26, 199812 eventsA high pressure system that settled over the eastern part of the United States on the 20th and 21st prevented a weak backdoor cold front from completely going through New Jersey.
• Heat in Pennsylvania, August 22 to 26, 19985 eventsA high pressure system that settled over the eastern part of the United States on the 20th and 21st prevented a weak backdoor cold front from completely going through Eastern Pennsylvania. This started a heat wave that lasted up to five days.
• Heat in Maryland, August 22 to 26, 19985 eventsA high pressure system that settled over the eastern part of the United States on the 20th and 21st prevented a weak backdoor cold front from reaching the Delmarva Peninsula on the 22nd. This started a five day heat wave across the peninsula that lasted through the 26th.
• Heat in Delaware, August 22 to 26, 19983 eventsA high pressure system that settled over the eastern part of the United States on the 20th and 21st prevented a weak backdoor cold front from reaching the Delmarva Peninsula on the 22nd. This started a heat wave that lasted up to five days across the peninsula through the 26th.
• Heat in Missouri, August 23 to 25, 199810 injured · 13 eventsA late summer heat wave primarily caused problems for area schools that had just opened for the 1998-1999 school year. Most school districts opened only for the morning hours, sending the children home around noon.
• Heat in Oklahoma, August 25, 19981 eventThe low temperature at the Tulsa International Airport for the day was 80 degrees. This ties for being the warmest low temperature on record for this date in Tulsa.
• Heat in Arkansas, August 26, 19981 eventThe low temperature at the Fort Smith Regional Airport on this day was 79. This is the warmest low temperature on record for this date in Fort Smith.
• Heat in California, August 27, 19981 death · 1 eventWhile temperatures were only above normal, humidities continued to be much above normal for the Central and Southern San Joaquin Valley. A student athlete succumbed to heat exhaustion apparently from a Thursday afternoon football practice ...
• Heat in Arkansas, August 28, 19981 eventThe low temperature at the Fort Smith Regional Airport on this day was 79. This is the warmest low temperature on record for this date in Fort Smith.
• Wildfire and Damaging Wind in California, August 31, 19981 injured · $1.0 million · 2 eventsThunderstorm wind at 45 knots from the east swept into the Paradise Cove area along the south shore of Lake Isabella. Downed powerlines sparked a grass fire (Yankee Fire) that subsequently burned 1,100 acres at a cost to suppress of $1M.
• Drought in New Jersey, August 31, 199820 eventsUnseasonably dry weather continued to take its toll on crops and vegetation across New Jersey during the month of August.
• Drought in Pennsylvania, August 31, 199810 eventsUnseasonably dry weather continued to take its toll on crops and vegetation across Eastern Pennsylvania during the month of August. On a county weighted monthly average only Berks and Delaware Counties had near normal precipitation during the month.
• Drought in Maryland, August 31, 19985 eventsUnseasonably dry weather continued to take its toll on crops across the Delmarva Peninsula during the month of August.
• Drought in Delaware, August 31, 19984 eventsUnseasonably dry weather continued to take its toll on crops across the Delmarva Peninsula during the month of August.
• Drought in Tennessee, September 1 to 30, 199839 eventsAn extremely dry month throughout all of East Tennessee. Rainfall totals and departure from normal from the 3 official observing sites are as follows: Tri-Cities (TRI): 0.9" total, 2.36" below normal; Knoxville (TYS): 1.31" total, 1.76" below normal; Chattanooga (CHA): 1.47"…
• Drought in Alabama, September 1 to 30, 1998$100,000 · 1 eventThe rainfall total for September was 0.48 inches, the lowest total for any September on record.
• Drought in Texas, September 1 to 30, 199824 eventsDrought conditions continued in Southwest Texas and Southeast New Mexico. Agricultural losses will be great but will not be included until the end of the harvest when totals are calculated.
• Drought in Texas, September 1 to 30, 199824 eventsSeptember was yet another dry month across the Texas South Plains as a long-term drought continued to affect the region. September rainfall on the South Plains averaged only one-third of one inch, which was more than two inches below normal for the month.
• Drought in Texas, September 1 to 30, 199820 eventsA moderate drought occurred across the Texas panhandle in September as reported by the USGS. A dollar estimate on crop damage will be available after the growing season.
• Heat in Alabama, September 1 to 30, 19981 eventThe average monthly temperature of 78.2 degrees was the hottest ever recorded for September.
• Drought in Kentucky, September 1 to 30, 199822 eventsSeptember, 1998 was the driest September on record at Paducah, where rainfall for the month totalled only 0.12 inch. The dry weather was very costly to farmers of certain crops, especially soybean farmers.
• Drought in Illinois, September 1 to 30, 199819 eventsSeptember, 1998 was one of the driest Septembers on record in southern Illinois. Across the Ohio River at Paducah, Kentucky, where the monthly rainfall total was only 0.12 inch, it was the driest September on record.
• Drought in Missouri, September 1 to 30, 19989 eventsLittle if any rainfall fell across parts of southeast Missouri from mid August through mid September. The mild drought came to an end when thunderstorms occurred on September 21, bringing over an inch of rain to Cape Girardeau.
• Drought in New Mexico, September 1 to 30, 19983 eventsDrought conditions continued in Southwest Texas and Southeast New Mexico through September. Agricultural losses will be great but will not be included until the end of the harvest when totals are calculated.
• Wildfire in California, September 1 to 4, 19982 eventsWild fires started by lightning on the 31st of August continued through the first few days of the month. As thunderstorm activity diminished and cooler weather developed, fire fighters were able to contain these large fires.
• Drought in Hawaii, September 1 to 30, 19984 eventsSeptember was a month of contrast, with many windward sections of the islands receiving above normal rainfall and leeward areas continuing to be drier than average.
• Heat in California, September 1 to 3, 19982 injured · 1 eventThe first three days of September 1998 had much above normal temperatures for California Zones 20 and 21, the Central and Southern San Joaquin Valley.

Every billion-dollar disasterEvery storm of 1998Tornadoes in 1998

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.