More 90-plus days in Memphis will cause more illness, cost more money
After a storm knocked out power to parts of the city Wednesday evening, LaNora Arnold (center) checks in with her four children at a cooling center established by the city of Memphis at the Lewis Senior Center on June 21, 2019. Memphians are experiencing more heat-related deaths and emergency room visits as the number of high-heat days increases, according to a review of weather and health statistics. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Guest Columnist
Thomas J. Hrach
Tom Hrach is an associate professor of journalism at University of Memphis.
A review of weather statistics, electricity usage and health records for the past 50 years shows that Memphians are increasingly paying more for electricity, and experiencing more emergency department visits and deaths due to heat.
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