Heat in Henry, Illinois

A strong ridge of high pressure over the central U.S. produced very hot and humid conditions over the midwest from mid to late July. Heat advisories and warnings were issued for portions of western Illinois during the period. Temperatures around the 100 degree mark combined with dewpoints in the 70s produced heat indicies of 105 to as high as 125 degrees. The Henry County (Illinois) Coroner cited heat-related factors as the cause of death of an elderly Kewanee man on July 28th. Newspaper accounts indicate at least 19 people in Illinois, and 27 in Missouri, died from heat-related factors since July 19th.