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What The Hottest Month on Record Looked Like Across the US

Every city is grappling with the effects of extreme heat, but not every community is feeling the effects in the same way.

American Journalism Project

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No matter where you live, you've been impacted by the record-high temperatures surging across the US. But just because all of us have lived through the hottest month on earth it doesn't mean we're all in the same boat. To borrow an early Covid-era phrase, we may all be in the same storm, but some of us are on super yachts while others have just one oar.

What does that look like in the heat? It looks like children in Houston kept from public pools because of lifeguard shortages. Like outdoor workers in New Orleans struggling to make a living. And like Missourians in un-air-conditioned state prisons fearing for their lives.

And yet, pockets of hope remain. In El Paso, architects are doggedly researching how to provide maximum shade at scale; in Portland, a climate resilience program is working to connect vulnerable communities with efficient portable cooling units. These steps in the right direction are heartening, but remind us of how much of an uphill climb we face.

Read on to explore how the citizens of different cities are making their way through this storm, what innovations can be applied elsewhere, and which communities need national support.

Pocket has teamed up with the American Journalism Project to bring some of the best local journalism from across the country right to you—no matter where you live. Each month we’ll highlight deep dives into local stories with national impact—the kind of journalism that brings nuance and context to the major issues we face on a national scale. Read more about our partnership here and browse past collections to get your local fix.

Dozens of Black Children Are Enduring Dangerous Heat Behind Bars

Ten years ago, three death row inmates sued the prison, claiming that they were forced to live in extreme heating conditions similar to those the incarcerated juveniles are experiencing.

Workers Are at Risk in Extreme Heat, but North Carolina Has No Protections

“What we’re seeing now is that the climate is getting hotter, heat waves are getting longer, stronger and more frequent. And that puts workers at even greater risk than even just 10 or 20 years ago,”

Oh, Awesome. Mosquitoes Are Getting More Used to Chicago Summers

Chicago’s harsh winters historically kept mosquitos at bay, but as the planet warms they’re thriving here.

How Two Architects Are Using Technology to Identify, Fight Shade Inequity

About eight years ago, a married team of architects fell in love with El Paso, not only because the desert conditions aid their research but also the city itself. As part of their research, the couple made maps that showed a correlation between income levels and specific ZIP codes regarding shade equity in the city.

Outdoor Workers Struggle During ‘Hottest Summer’ They Can Remember

The excessive heat has especially been difficult for those whose occupations require them to work outside, especially in parts of the city like the French Quarter—laden with concrete and with sparse tree cover and where temperatures are routinely several degrees hotter than the rest of the city.

Survival of Wild Rice Threatened by Climate Change, Increased Rainfall in Northern Minnesota

For Tribal Nations of northern Minnesota, wild rice’s survival is not just about protecting the environment—it’s also about preserving a core part of their identity.

Could Houston Solve the Lifeguard Shortage and Open More City Pools by Hiring 15-Year-Olds?

Houston only opened 23 of its city pools this year, due to a lifeguard shortage. The pools that remain closed raise questions about equal access.

You’re Not Imagining It. Houston’s Heat Wave Is Affecting Our Mental and Physical Health.

Heat like this can trigger our body to produce more of the mood-regulating chemical serotonin, says Dr. Asim Shah. “And when you have an increased level of serotonin, you will get irritable, angry, aggressive, and all those things will cause mood swings.”

Extreme Weather Hits Native Communities

Tribes and tribal organizations are noticing and adjusting to the weather that is affecting millions across the country and beyond

‘We’ve Got Hell Coming’: Missourians in State Prisons Fear Consequences of Summertime Heat

Although the Department of Corrections says the majority of its prisons are fully air conditioned, people incarcerated in some of those buildings say the vents often blow hot or dusty air.

Read The Marshall Project's coverage of the lethal toll of hot prisons, from 2017

Climate Change, Record Summer Temperatures Test El Paso’s Power Infrastructure

The unprecedented heat the El Paso region is experiencing this summer has driven power demand here to never-before-seen levels and stressed the region’s electricity systems.

Some NYC School Bus Temperatures Rose to Over 100 Degrees Amid Heat Wave, Parents Say

School bus temperatures during the summer months have long been the subject of complaints, persisting in recent years as New York City has seen record levels of heat. Last week, as temperatures spiked to over 90 degrees, advocates say the heat became even more severe inside of school buses.

‘It’s Historic:’ Summer Flooding Caused an Unprecedented Number of Landslides in Vermont

In Vermont, climate change continues to show up in new ways. According to the Vermont Climate Assessment, average annual precipitation has increased 21% since 1900, and it’s become more variable in the last decade.

How Much Hotter Is NYC’s Heat Island Effect Making Your Neighborhood?

A new report shows that 3.8 million New Yorkers experience temperatures at least 10 degrees hotter because of urban development.

Amidst Rising Heat, Are Redlined Neighborhoods Hotter Than the Rest? [From 2022]

Although redlining practices were made illegal in 1968, clear racial and economic divisions remain in Omaha today, a lasting disparity that’s evident in North and South Omaha’s heat inequity and lack of green spaces.

Elevating Local Stories With Pocket and the American Journalism Project

Connect with some of the best local journalism from outlets across the country, explore the issues facing our communities, and discover your next favorite story.

American Journalism Project

The American Journalism Project (AJP) is the first venture philanthropy dedicated to local news. AJP makes grants to local nonprofit news organizations to build their revenue and business operations, partner with communities to launch new organizations, and mentor leaders as they grow and sustain their newsrooms. Learn more about the independent, community-driven nonprofit news organizations AJP supports.