Currently in Houston there is a severe heat wave lasting almost all summer, it is known as “Hell Summer”. During this hell summer Texas has had 23 consecutive days with 100 degrees or higher.  

The peak of the heat was 109 but felt like 119 for people who spend their jobs working in the heat or sun. It can cause heat strokes and even cancer. HVAC installer Bryan Brenneman says “It’s a completely different beast in the attic. Every minute counts because any second could be someone passing out. Or worse screwing something up.” The fire department has had lots of calls regarding heat illnesses with 606 phone calls.  

The heat in Houston is also creating a horrible drought with the majority of Texas in dark red, and most of the grass around Houston is dead or dying making front yards look unpleasant. It is estimated that most of Texas’s population is inside the areas affected by the drought. The effects of the drought are as follows, Boat ramps are closing because water levels are near historic lows, culling continues, producers wean calves early and liquidate herds due to importation of hay and water expenses, devastating algae blooms occur, water quality is very poor Exceptional and widespread crop loss is reported; rangeland is dead; producers are not planting fields Exceptional water shortages are noted across surface water sources; water table is declining Extreme sensitivity to fire danger; firework restrictions are implemented Seafood, forestry, tourism, and agriculture sectors report significant financial loss Widespread tree mortality is reported; most wildlife species’ health and population are suffering. All of this will have a massive impact.