‘Heat dome’ covers South, killing at least 13; officials urge precautions

An oppressive heat wave blamed for at least 13 deaths in Texas and one in Loui- siana blanketed the South on Thursday, as authorities warned of dangerous triple-digit temperatures.

Forecasters said temperatures could rocket up to 20 degrees above average in parts of the region as a “heat dome” that has taxed the Texas power grid spread eastward. Officials urged people to stay hydrated, shelter in air-conditioned rooms and check on each other as humidity combined with high temperatures to make conditions even more dangerous.

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee for Thursday and Friday.

The heat index, which indicates how hot it feels outdoors based on the temperature and relative humid- ity, was expected to reach 115 degrees in several cities. The heat dome was expected to be centered over the mid-south by the weekend.

The heat added to weath- er-related woes for some Tennessee residents cities who still had no power after strong storms Sunday knocked down trees and power lines.

To get some relief, John Manger, 74, and his wife were sitting in shady spots outside their sweltering home in the Memphis suburb of Bartlett and taking cold showers.

“I just suck it up, with a washcloth, towel, whatever. I just sit in my chair by the window, and maybe get a breeze,” said Manger, who is retired.

Their house was among more than 20,000 homes and business in Shelby County that were without electricity as of Thursday morning. Local utility Memphis Light, Gas and Water said dozens of crews were working to restore power.

Louisiana already has been plagued by hot weather over the past month. Between May 12 and May 24, more than 680 went to the hospital for heat-related illness, based on the most recent figures from the state Department of Health. These illnesses can range in severity from mild, such as heat rash and heat cramps, to severe, such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

A 49-year-old man died Sunday in Shreveport after he was found lying on a sidewalk.

“This is very real and we need people to not only take care of themselves, but also to look after their neighbors — especially those who are older,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said Wednesday afternoon.

In Florida, National Weather Service offices forecast heat index levels of up to 112 degrees over the next several days. Forecasters in Jacksonville said the extreme heat would persist through the Independence Day holiday.