Louisiana declares state of emergency for extreme heat

Photo caption: Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency Monday due to record-breaking extreme heat. Photo by Matthew Perschall for Louisiana Illuminator.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency Monday due to record-breaking extreme heat.

“This summer, the National Weather Service has issued a record number of excessive heat warnings for Louisiana,” Edwards said in a press release. “The Louisiana Department of Health reports that the state has already exceeded the average number of annual heat-related emergency room visits.”

According to the health department, 16 people died from heat-related causes in June and July. From April 1 to July 29, there were 3,305 visits for heat-related emergencies, compared with a 10-year annual average of 2,700.

The unprecedented heat wave, which has given Louisiana day after day of excessive heat warnings with temperatures over 100 degrees, has resulted in the hottest June and July on record for the Baton Rouge area, and the second hottest July for the New Orleans area, according to data from the National Weather Service.

The state of emergency will allow the use of state resources to respond to the heat, which may impact water supplies and agriculture. The emergency order will be in place until Sept. 9, unless terminated earlier.

Information on how to stay cool and protected from heat-related illness can be found here.

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