Heat — Cameron, Texas

2023-06-25 · Cameron, Texas

Event narrative

The Brownsville-South Padre International ASOS reported a heat index of 111 by 11:53 AM CDT, with 111 or higher values persisting until approximately 12:26 PM CDT on June 25th. An indirect heat-related fatality was reported at 2:04 PM CDT in San Benito, Texas (less than 10 miles southwest of the Harlingen/Valley International Airport). The deceased, a 58 year old male, had several comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic alcohol abuse. The cause of death was listed as Heat Exposure, indirect, by medical officials.

Wider weather episode

The combination of hot to very hot temperatures and high humidity combined to lead to heat criteria across much of the Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas in the later stages of June as a stubborn mid-level area of high pressure refused to let up. For the Rio Grande Valley overall in June, emergency room hospitalizations were up 11 to 18 percent from June 2022 due to heat-related illnesses and incidents. Detailed information on heat-related illnesses (actual numbers of injuries or fatalities) was not known as of the end of August.

There was one known indirect fatality in Cameron County on June 25th, according to one of the hospital systems that serve the area.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1116779. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.