U.S.+Heat+Wave+(1980)

Sarah Scalfari

U.S. Heat Wave (1980)

The U.S. heat wave of 1980 was very devastating. It cost almost 20 billion dollars in damage only. The heat wave last all the way through June till September of 1980. This heat wave was started by a growing and lasting high pressure system. The high pressure system kept all of the rain needed to stop the drought away form the United States.

Impact on Society

In 1980 the heat wave cost America 1,265 lives. In this one summer the amount of heat related deaths was seven times higher than normal. Most deaths were of people who were elderly or people who were not in an air-conditioned shelter. In Missouri an outrageous 311 people died due to such high temperatures. Even though, Missouri was did not have the highest temperature for a consecutive amount of time it still had the most deaths. . The average electric use was up 5.5% in America. Consumers sent 1.3 billion dollars more than they usually would to stay cool.



Economic Losses

The economic damage from the heat wave reached twenty billion dollars. The immense heat buckled hundreds of highways around the U.S. In Illinois its self suffered 100 million dollars in highway damage.In the midwest farmers relied on irrigation systems for water, but even they did ran out. Much of farmers crops were dried up by the end of this heat wave costing farmers a tremendous amount of money. Cattle did not have enough drinking water to supply them throughout the heat and drought. When all the cattle died at once there was a surplus. Supply of cattle went up therefore, dropping demand.



End to heat wave

Although many thought there may never be and end to this catastrophic heat wave, there was. Hurricane Allen was barreling up towards the Gulf of Mexico. Although, Allen as very powerful hurricane, by the time it had reached the United States it had lost much of its strength. The hurricane caused many flash floods but cleared help the drought issues in south Texas. Unfortunately, drought remained a problem for northern Texas. The temperatures in the states became more moderate decreasing death tolls.



Works Cited