The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1949-07-06
HOT BELT
EXTENDING
WIDE AREA
Temperatures Soar Over
100 Degrees Drought
Adds 10 Situation
(By The Associated Press

A toll of at least 1872 deaths was
counted today in the longest heat
wave, so far this summer
No immediate break in the torrid
temperatures was in sight, although
thunder showers cooled scattered
sections of the hot belt temporarily
yesterday and last night.
In addition to deaths induced by
the heat, nine were known dead
and five were missing from sud-
den, violent squall that raked the
New York metropolitan area yes
terday. The storm knitted across
Long Island Sound and capsized
hundred Of boats.
The estimated dead due to the
heat included heat prostrations and
heart attacks attributed to the heat.
Toll BY States
The deaths of this nature by
states included Illinois 81 tinclud-
ing SO Chicago area. coroner's office
estimate Of deaths from heat and
heart attacks aggravated by heat);
Indiana 2; Iowa 8; Maryland 3;
Michigan 9; Minnesota IA; Mis-
souri, 10; Nebraska 3; New York
6: Ohio 10: Pennsylvania IL: vir-
ginia 2: wisconsin 2.
Most Of the midwest was weary
from q week OF hot. sticky wealth
er. The eastern states also slzzleu
in the soaring heat. And in the
northeastern area there was no sign
Of ram to break the long drought.
The new heat wave only added
to further damage farm crops al
ready wilted by seven weeks OF
rainless weather Crop losses In the
region have been estimated at more
than $5o.0o0,000.
Comfortable Spots
The U. s. weather bureau said the
only comfortable spots over the
two thirds Of the country in the
grip of the hot weather were the
northern border states Tempera-
lures were also pleasant along the
Pacific coast
A mass of cool air from north
western Canada brought relief to
parts Of Minnesota. Michigan and
| Wisconsin. 1t never reached swell
tering Chicago, where the mercury
hit above 90 yesterday for the six
tn consecutive day. A high Of 95
was forecast for today.
New temperature records for the
date were set In many cities yes
terday as the mercury ranged be-
tween 80 and 100. Philadelphia
992 was the summer seasons hot
test day. At Lancaster. Pa, the
reading was l0l for the second
straight day.
Hest Registrations
Toledo's 00.3 reading was the
years highest and a record for July
s. At Springfield and Youngstown
the top was 1903. The heat brought
an eruption In U. S. 80 south OF
Marion. o. The macadam and
asphalt pavement bulged cross-wise
and split open.
A temperature Of 100 degrees
buckled the concrete pavement on
U. S. Highway so, 10 miles east Of
Owensboro. KY.
Baltimore's 90.5 reading yesterday
was the highest since August.
| The U. s. weather bureau report
ed high of 90 at Minneapolis and
st. Paul and a cool so at Duluth,
some 100 miles north on Lake Su-
perior. Pittsburgh's high was 81:
Washington and Cleveland 90; New
York, Nashville, Louisville, Indian
apolis and New Orleans "a.
In New York, the city water COM
missioner said the city was using
l,400, 000, 900 gallons Of water daily,
zoo, 000. 900 gallons above normal, be-
cause Of the drought. The situation
was described as mot SAFE" but rot
yet hazardous" The vast reser-
voir system now holds 220. 900, 900 900
gallons. about 81 per cent of maxi
mum.