Heat in Natchitoches, Louisiana

A persistent upper level ridge spanning much of the Southern U.S. in mid July maintained hot temperatures across parts of the Four State Region from July 11th through the 13th, with daytime temperatures climbing into the upper 90s to lower and middle 100s. When combined with the daytime humidity, oppressively hot conditions were observed as heat indices averaged between 105-109 degrees during the peak heating hours. Unfortunately, a heat-related fatality occurred around 2:15 pm on July 11th in the Kisatchie National Forest in Southern Natchitoches Parish when a 24 year old female suffered a heat stroke while performing an archaeological survey for the U.S. Forest Service near Forest Service Road #321 Bayou Camp Road off of Longleaf Vista, in what was her first day on the job.