Extreme heat has been felt in much of the country, and summer has just begun. But this won't affect everyone equally. In states such as Texas and Florida, high temperatures reveal serious inequalities in infrastructure, access to resources and government responsiveness. Last summer, more than 134 million people were on extreme heat alerts in the United States, one of the most intense events in recent history, which exposed its still-democratic vulnerability.
Obeysser Prada lives in Frisco, Colin County, Texas, one of the fastest growing urban areas in the state. In recent summer, he felt the meaning of his flesh, 110°F (43°C) under Tejano Sol. “If I'm not careful, it could lead me from extreme fatigue to stroke,” he said on the phone. It's not an exaggeration: Texas signed 306 calorie-related deaths in 2023, the highest number since the state began registering such deaths.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), extreme calorie starts representing the health risks of the 85°F calorie index (29.4°C). Temperatures with absolute temperatures of 90°F, 95°F, 100°F or higher are also considered dangerous, especially when moisture is high. A key indicator is the wet bulb temperature, which combines temperature and moisture to estimate the heat in the body
According to the CDC, between 1999 and 2020, 15,707 deaths related to U.S. calorie have been recorded in recent years. In 2021, 1,600 people were reported to have died, with the highest death toll in Arizona, California and Texas. In addition, it is estimated that approximately 67,512 visits to the emergency room and 9,235 hospitalizations were observed due to the occurrence of heat-related diseases. However, experts warn that these numbers are greatly underestimated because many deaths attributed to calories are not officially registered. The real impact of extreme heat is much greater than the records reflect.
Texas: Between thermal record and underresponse
The heat is not only measured in degree. This also feels the electricity bill, which may increase by 20% to 50% in the summer due to the heavy use of air conditioners. “Sometimes I have to evaluate the use of air conditioners because of the price shooting,” Prada explained. According to Ercot Data of the Texas Electric Reliability Commission, in August 2023, energy demand jumped from $275 to $2,500 per hour.
In Texas, there are energy assistance programs at the state and federal levels that can help mitigate these costs. To obtain information about these programs and determine eligibility, it is recommended to contact 2-1-1 or visit tdhca.state.tx.us.
Prada mentioned that he tried to protect himself looking for air conditioners, dressed in lightweight clothes, kept drinking and avoiding public places that came out between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., but criticized the lack of a specific local response: “In Frisco, there is no specific plan to face extreme heat. It all depends on the country, which is not always enough.”
The Texas Department of Health Services recommends residents stay in places where air-conditioned during heat waves, such as shopping centers, libraries, or community centers. To find a nearby cooling center, you can visit tdem.texas.gov/cool or call 2-1-1.
To this end, a recent state legislation, HB 2127 law, has been added, which prohibits local governments from enforcing ordinances that protect workers working outdoors. “This makes us more vulnerable, especially in construction and agriculture,” he said.
Florida: Despite local initiatives
More eastern Florida, calories also mark the routine. In Orlando, the theme park employee Domingo Salcedo experienced heat as a constant body wear. “I know a lot, I need to change clothes a few times a day. I drink water with electrolytes to avoid fainting.” He admitted that his employer was indeed worried: “At this theme park (Disney), they distribute electrolytes and water envelopes in all workstations. They remind us every day of the importance of hydration.” But when asked about government resources, he responded sincerely: “I don't know if they exist; if there were, they wouldn't arrive at me.”
In Florida, exposure to extreme heat is a major threat to public health, a study by the University of Florida Institute of Agricultural and Food Science (UF/IFAS) that recorded 215 deaths related to the state's heat between 2010 and 2020, with 71% of the victims being male and 27% at age 65.
Despite these risks, in July 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a HB 433 law prohibiting local governments from developing regulations to protect extremist heat workers who have entered into force. This legislation prevents cities and counties from requiring employers to provide rest, water or shadows in intense hot conditions. The law affects about 1.8 million outdoor workers in Florida, many of whom are Hispanic immigrants, who now lack specific protections for high temperatures. Democratic representative Michael Gottlieb's third bill calls for cold water and 10 minutes of pause every two hours, but the proposal was postponed indefinitely and was considered on May 3, 2025
The City of Orlando has partnered with Orlando's First United Methodist Church to establish a cooling center to provide relief on extremely hot days. The center provides heated space for the most vulnerable, access to drinking water and basic services. It is located at 142 East Jackson Street, Sunday to Friday, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, on days with a calorie index exceeding 103°F.
In the southern part of the state, Verónica Araujo, a resident of the Miami metropolitan area, explained that the heat is more emotional than the body’s emotions: “We become more irritable and stop doing things. Besides, everything is going up: everything is going up: air conditioning, water, washing more clothes… consume more water and electricity in the clouds.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, high temperatures can have serious effects on mental health. Patients with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or dementia are particularly vulnerable during heat waves because their medications can interfere with the regulation of body temperature, thereby increasing the risk of body temperature and hospitalization. Furthermore, studies have shown that suicide rates tend to increase in warmer climates, suggesting a link between climate change and issues such as depression.
Miami resident Camila Mendoza felt the impact directly. “I'm as little as possible. My dogs suffer, too,” he explained. “The county has a Heat executive, but I'm not alerted or advised, and I don't know what my taxes are investing in the program. All I do is because I'm looking for information myself.”
In Miami-Dade County, residents can get extreme thermal alerts and other emergencies through a free official system. One of them is the Miami-Dade Alert, which is notified via text messages or emails about dangerous climate conditions; to register, you need to create an account at Miami.gov/alerts. Additionally, people living in the city of Miami can activate AlertMiami by sending the term AlertMiami to 88877. Obviously, this process creates difficulties for the elderly and those who lack stable housing.
Since May 1, the City of Miami has built a network Ten cooling centers Face the official extreme season (from May 1 to October 31). These air-conditioned public places are strategically located in parks and community centers to serve vulnerable populations.
These centers provide drinking water, access to the bathroom and information about extremely high calorie materials. Additionally, they complement the Miami-Dade County network, which includes some libraries as hot shelters.
The county’s Extreme Thermal Action Plan was launched in 2022 to reduce the negative impact of extreme heat on the health and economy of the community. The program focuses on informing, preparing and protecting residents, especially those in historically unattended areas. It includes actions such as improving communication of thermal risks, expansion of green infrastructure, and implementation of climate equity policies. However, Mendoza’s experience highlights the gap in communication and the link between public policy and community.
Rossana Guerra, who also lives in Doral, explained that extreme heat affects his daily routine: “In the summer, I hardly go out. I do less outdoors. I know they warn of moisturizing, but I don't know the specific resources.”
A country challenged, responded inequality
Extreme heat is no longer just a seasonal discomfort. It is an alleged public threat that affects productivity and reveals deep social and geographical inequality. While some cities move forward through initiatives such as cooling centers or hydration stations at work, others depend only on the individual efforts of their residents.
As Prada said from Texas, “There is no discrimination in calories, but policies can protect or give up those who need it most.”
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