By Natalia Rueda 
The steamy conditions in Texas have been impossible to ignore, with record temperatures set across the state this week. From the southwest city of Del Rio to the southern border of Webb County, more than 100 million people facing extremely high heat warnings and watches. As the heat wave continues to climb, Texans must take extra precautions and be prepared for the worst.
According to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the historic power use peaked at an unprecedented 80,828 megawatts on Monday night, a figure that is expected to increase yet again on Wednesday. These high temperatures have brought on extreme heat-related illnesses throughout the state – with 837 designated emergency room visits per 100,000 last week and rising.
In Webb County alone, nine heat-related deaths have been reported in a span of eight days. To protect vulnerable populations from the unrelenting heat, Governor Greg Abbott has activated the State Disaster Relief Fund, providing resources for those affected by the intense temperatures. Health officials have urged Texans to take safety precautions, such as seeking air-conditioned shelters or libraries, watching children closely, and maintaining contact with elderly neighbors.
Unfortunately, the sky-high temperatures are projected to remain in the Lone Star state through Thursday, and may expand even further to the Lower Mississippi Valley and Mid-South. As Texans continue to monitor the growing heatwave, the world awaits the potential impact of hazardous temperatures in the South.