Extreme Weather Strikes During Holiday Weekend Chaos

Extreme Weather Strikes During Holiday Weekend Chaos
Extreme Weather Strikes During Holiday Weekend Chaos. Credit | Getty images

United States: As this is becoming the matter of concern that the extreme weather conditions are getting out of control,  during  the memorial day weekend, a wave of extreme weather and high temperatures slammed portion of the southern US leaving more than 700,000 people in Texas without power and  breaking heat records in several Florida Towns.

Florida Heatwave

West Palm Beach broke the previous record high of 96F established in 1928 on Monday, with a daily high of 97F (36C), according to the National Weather Service Miami.

Everyday temperature records were also set in other Florida cities and places. At the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood international airport, the hottest temperature recorded was 96F, two degrees higher than the previous record high of 94F, which was achieved in 1963.

At its Memorial Day celebration, Miami attracted hundreds of visitors and recorded a record high temperature of 96F.

Heat Records in Florida Cities

On Sunday, the east coast cities of Melbourne and Fort Pierce, Florida, recorded record high temperatures of 98F. According to the National Weather Service Melbourne, the record high in Melbourne tied for the highest temperature ever recorded in May.

Although the sporadic storms are projected for the next few days and most of the Florida people should soon get a break form the heat wave, however the the temperature along the Florida’s west coast are expected to stay in the upper 80s to mid-90s, according to the forecasters.

Texas Heat and Storm Damage

Over the holiday weekend, Texas also saw extreme heat, with some regions of the south seeing triple digit temperatures and the heat index—a measurement of the actual temperature—soaring to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, according to NBC.

The National Weather Service said that a heat advisory warning will be in effect for several southern Texas towns, including Corpus Christi, beginning at noon CDT and lasting until eight o’clock at night. The heat index is predicted to reach 114F.

Government Response and Assistance

Over the weekend, catastrophic storms struck central and northern Texas in addition to the intense heat. A mother and her two children perished after a tornado toppled their mobile home, and seven people—including four children—were murdered after the tornado tore through several counties in northern Texas on Saturday, according to NBCDFW.

For assisting the affected citizens, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration on Sunday. The powerful storms caused more than 370 homes to be damaged and over 100 injuries.

In his statements on Sunday, Abbott also said he anticipated a rise in the number of claims of property damage.

Widespread Power Outages

A website that records power outages throughout the US, indicates that over 700,000 individuals in Texas are without power. According to CNN, the majority of the outages are in Dallas County, which was severely affected by hurricanes.