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Thousands of Texas Residents Warned Not To Drink Alcohol
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Residents across parts of Texas have been urged to steer clear of alcohol on Tuesday as forecasters issued a string of weather advisories.
High temperatures that could hit a sweltering 106 degrees are forecast for many areas on June 17, with Texans being warned of the health risks associated with the heat.
Safety advice issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) said to "avoid alcohol and caffeine" as meteorologists warned of the dangers of heatstroke.
Residents cool off at the Liz Carpenter Splash Pad at Butler Park on July 16, 2023, in Austin, Texas, during a heatwave.
Residents cool off at the Liz Carpenter Splash Pad at Butler Park on July 16, 2023, in Austin, Texas, during a heatwave.
SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images
Why It Matters
The heat can prove deadly, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 700 people die from extreme heat each year in the U.S. While heat-related illness such as heatstroke can affect anyone, vulnerable people with existing medical conditions, such as asthma or heart problems, are particularly vulnerable.
There are other dangers, too, and more than 950 children have died from heatstroke after being left—or accidentally becoming trapped—in a hot car within the past 25 years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
What To Know
A string of heat-related weather advisories was issued across Texas for Tuesday.
Temperatures of up to 99 degrees were forecast for the "Guadalupe Mountains of west Texas and Southeast New Mexico, Chinati Mountains, Davis Mountains, and Chisos Basin," the NWS said, adding: "Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses."
The advisory will be in place from noon until 9 p.m. CT and includes "the cities of Fort Davis, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Chisos Basin, Queen, Big Bend National Park, and Pine Springs."
Portions of southwest and western Texas are subject to a similar warning, except temperatures could soar even higher to 106 degrees. Again, the advisory will be in place from noon until 9 p.m. The areas affected, according to the NWS, include "the cities of Sanderson, Odessa, Artesia, Lovington, Andrews, Dryden, Crane, Stanton, Eunice, Carlsbad, Van Horn, Carlsbad Caverns NP, Jal, Seminole, Midland, Kermit, Hobbs, Lamesa, Fort Stockton, and Tatum."
The weather has increasingly dominated news headlines in recent years, as extreme climate events rock the country. Provisional figures obtained by Newsweek showed there were a record 1,700-plus deaths nationwide in 2022 from heat-related causes. More than 35 million Americans were smothered by a "heat dome" that year, as unprecedented temperatures blasted huge swathes of the country.
Experts fear that climate change will make extreme weather patterns worse, with scientists telling Newsweek their grim predictions for the future. Many believe that more thunderstorms and floods are also likely, along with tornadoes, hurricanes and droughts.
What People Are Saying
The National Weather Service, under the category "precautionary/preparedness actions" linked to the Texas advisories: "Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty, but avoid alcohol and caffeine. Stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on elderly and vulnerable relatives and neighbors.
"Look before you lock! Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles for even a moment. Car interiors will very quickly reach lethal temperatures.
"To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 911."
What Happens Next
Texans should check their local weather reports for the most up-to-date information and advice.
