Heat — Christian, Kentucky

1999-07-18 to 1999-07-31 · Christian, Kentucky

Wider weather episode

Excessive heat and humidity during the latter half of July took a toll on the unprepared. In Hopkinsville, a 75-year-old man died in his home as a result of hyperthermia. The single window air conditioner in the house was inoperative, allowing the indoor temperature to reach 120 degrees. All of the windows were closed, and some were boarded up. The unrelenting heat triggered all-time peak-usage records at several Kentucky utilities, including the Paducah and Owensboro power systems. Some minor related outages were reported. The weather increased heat-related hospital visits, primarily for heat exhaustion. Shelters were opened at a few locations, and charities distributed free fans to the needy. Western Kentucky was under a Heat Advisory for over a week. High temperatures reached 100 degrees at Paducah on the 29th and 30th, with afternoon heat indices commonly from 110 to 115 degrees. This was the fifth warmest July on record at Paducah.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5709411. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.