1988 Heat Wave
by:Ileesha and Shyiannah
Description
A heat wave occurred in July of 1988 with daily maximum temperatures near or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. During that period the amount of deaths were between 4,000-17000. Also because of the heat wave several devastating forest fires sparked in the country's west.
Ecological Impact
The drought of 1988 rank as the drought since the Dust Bowl a half-century earlier in the United States. The state of Minnesota alone saw $1.2 billion in crop loses. St. Louis hit a record high of 105 degrees Fahrenheit and their lowest temperature was 83 degrees Fahrenheit. During the summer of 1988 the drought led to many wildfires in forested western North America including the Yellowstone fires of 1988.
Restoration Efforts
The ongoing heat wave has left residents longing for their air conditioning and has complicated the repair situation.