On this date in 1980, heat wave deaths were soaring nationally and in Alabama as a powerful heat wave held much of the country in its grips. Birmingham’s Mayor Richard Arrington called for emergency relief and declared a state of emergency in Birmingham.
Volunteer organizations called for people to donate electric fans. Emergency shelters were opened.
Fifteen fatalities had been discovered in Birmingham, and it was suspected that heat had played a role in another twenty seven. Across Alabama, officially 21 heat related deaths had been reported. The apartments of the Central City housing project were like ovens. The national death toll stood at 495.
It was 103F at the Birmingham Airport on Monday, July 14th and the forecast called for 105F on Tuesday. The 103F on the 14th marked the fifth consecutive day that Birmingham had seen temperatures of 100F or higher. Eventually, the mercury would soar to 100F or higher on eight straight days, a record that would stand until 2007.
Forecasters warned that no relief was in sight.
