DALLAS—There's no relief in sight for Texans suffering through the worst one-year drought here in at least a century, as deaths mount, crops wilt and drinking-water supplies evaporate in record heat.
The sizzling summer has brought misery across the Southern Plains states, and Texans are bracing for more after enduring the hottest July on record. "It does get hot around here, but what's not normal is how long it's lasted," said Jason Dunn, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.
The mercury has hit at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 consecutive days in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The record is 42 days, set in 1980.
At least 14 people have died from the heat in Dallas County, which includes the city of Dallas, so far this year—more than in all of 2010. And Texans cranking up the air conditioning have pushed electricity use to record highs. On Thursday, unprecedented demand forced the state's power grid to shut off certain industrial customers. And there could be rolling blackouts if demand keeps rising, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas has said.
Record Heat Bakes Texas, Already Suffering From Severe Drought - WSJ.com