Several People in Louisiana Have Died This Summer Due to Heat

(Lafayette, Louisiana) - It has been a very hot summer, and sadly, some in Louisiana have died due to the extreme heat they were exposed to.

With an area of high pressure over much of the southern region this summer, we rarely got any breaks from the extreme temperatures, and that has led to several fatalities in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Department of Health just released the number of fatalities in our state due to the extreme heat, and it is very upsetting.

Heat-Related Deaths in Louisiana

LDH reports that 18 people have died this year due to the extreme heat. So far, 10 heat-related deaths were reported in June, five in July, and three in August. We've had consecutive days this summer with heat warnings and heat advisories, yet many people were still affected by outdoor temperatures for various reasons.

Personally, I have spoken to many people this summer who say they've either dehydrated this summer or were rushed to the ER due to heat-related illnesses. Yes, it has been that hot.

Ages of People Who Died From Heat Exposure

According to the data released by LDH, twelve of the 18 people who died were 65 or older. Fourteen of the victims were men, and four were women. Elderly people are often more susceptible to extreme temperatures; thus, that may be why more older people have perished this summer due to the heat.

The majority of those who have died this summer, six people, due to the heat were in the north shore of the state, while three were in the northeastern portion of Louisiana. In Acadiana, we recorded one heat-related fatality this summer.

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While the worst of the extreme temperatures may soon be over as we approach fall, remember to take care of yourself if you're outdoors. Stay hydrated, and take frequent breaks if you're working outdoors.

Always check on the elderly when heat advisories are issued, and make sure they have adequate air conditioning. The summer heat will be around for a few more weeks, so be safe and know the signs of heat exhaustion; it could save your life.