ENVIRONMENT Community responds as temperatures soar
HEAT-RELATED CALLS ON THE RISE
The number of heat-related 911 calls Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services has responded to has increased consistently over the past three years. Williamson County Emergency Medical Services also responded to more heat-related calls this June versus June 2022.
Record-breaking heat has taken over Central Texas this summer, and weather experts predict this will continue through at least September. As a result, officials are offering to help residents beat the heat. The National Weather Service issued the first heat advisory of the year for Central Texas on June 13, and the area has been under a heat advi- sory most days since then. The region reached a record heat index value of 118 degrees June 21, and experts suggested the future will be filled with an increasing number of heat waves, according to the NWS. John Moore, a meteorologist for the National Oceanic and Atmo- spheric Administration, confirmed Central Texas has a 50%-60% proba- bility of experiencing above-average temperatures well into September. Mike Knipstein, Williamson County Emergency Medical Services director, also confirmed the hotter-than-nor- mal temperatures in Central Texas. BY AMANDA CUTSHALL & CHLOE YOUNG
“It looks like July is going to be our record-breaking [month] related to heat emergencies,” said Knipstein, explaining Williamson County EMS had responded to 33 heat-related calls as of July 18 and was on track to receive 55-60 calls by the end of the month. In June, Williamson County EMS set a record of 49 heat-related calls, a 25% increase from June 2022, he said. The county’s record for the most heat-related 911 calls was last set with 49 calls in July 2022. Knipstein said the county has also seen an increase in heat stroke calls, responding to five heat stroke-re- lated emergencies in July 2022 and four in June 2023. Anna Madrigal, program manager for Family Eldercare—an organiza- tion that gives free fans to those in need—said nearly 5,000 fans had been distributed this year as of July 21, assisting nearly 200 families in Williamson County. The organiza- tion distributed 7,200 fans in 2022.
Williamson County EMS 911 calls
15 30 45 60 0
June 2021
June 2022
June 2023
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Austin-Travis County EMS 911 calls
50 100 150 200 0
June 2021
June 2022
June 2023
SOURCE: AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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