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As much of US swelters, here are 5 worst heat waves of past 30 years

Many Americans across the US were feeling the heat Monday, but how hot is it? Here is a look at the five deadliest US heat waves/droughts since the worst recorded since 1980.

1. June through September 1980

Newscom/File
A man sits by the street as a thermometer shows the temperature in Detroit on July 11, 1980.

  • By David Karas Contributor

A staggering 10,000 people died (including heat stress-related deaths) and the US agriculture sustained almost $55.4 billion in damages and costs after a severe heat wave and drought hit the central and eastern portions of the country in the summer of 1980.

Temperatures in Memphis, Tenn., for instance, remained above average for 26 consecutive days. Most of those who perished were over the age of 60. The summer’s death toll far exceeded the annual national average of 175 deaths that are attributed to the heat.

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