An oppressive heat wave blamed for at least 13 deaths in Texas and one in Louisiana blanketed the South on Thursday, as authorities warned of dangerous, triple-digit temperatures.
Extreme heat and humidity increased the potential for heat-related illnesses, and lingering power outages exacerbated the misery in some areas. Officials urged residents to stay hydrated, shelter in air-conditioned rooms and check on friends and neighbors.
The unusually high temperatures were brought on by a heat dome that has taxed the Texas power grid and brought record highs to parts of that state, according to meteorologists. That dome is spreading eastward and is expected to be centered over the mid-South by the weekend.
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