The Midwest's Heat Crisis: More Than Just Hot Weather

The Midwest is facing a serious heat crisis. People are flocking to water spots to cool down, but this comes with risks. Drownings have been reported at lakes and rivers. In Chicago, the fire department got 90 calls over the weekend alone. Authorities are warning everyone to be careful around water. Cities are breaking temperature records. Louisville, Kentucky, opened shelters when the heat index hit 95F. Ohio cities also saw record highs. The heat is not just uncomfortable; it's dangerous. Heat kills more people in the US than hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods combined. The problem is worse because of all the concrete and asphalt in cities. These materials soak up heat during the day and release it at night. This makes the nights hotter and increases the need for air conditioning. Most of this cooling comes from power plants that burn fossil fuels, which makes the problem even worse. Climate change is making things worse. Experts say global warming is causing more extreme weather. A recent study found that the Midwest could become a "moist heat stress hotspot" if temperatures rise too much. Heat-related deaths have been going up in recent years. Farmers are feeling the heat too. Bill Wiley, who farms in Ohio, says the weather is less predictable than before. He has seen extreme droughts and heavy rains that cause flooding. He is worried about the bigger picture of climate change. In West Virginia, old gas wells are leaking methane, a greenhouse gas. Climate activist Thomas Rodd says this is making the problem worse. He also points out that climate change is causing more flooding. Recently, eight people died in flash floods in West Virginia. The state is also facing another threat. The government wants to open up national forests for logging. This could destroy old-growth trees, which help fight climate change. Farmers also rely on accurate weather forecasts, but funding for these services has been cut. This could make farming even harder.