What Living Through the Hottest July Ever Looked Like Across the U.S.

Extreme heat wasn’t the only notable climate event Americans were dealing with. Wildfires in eastern Oregon burned through 140,000 acres, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. Federal fire resources were stretched thin as other fires burned in Colorado, Washington, and beyond. 

The smoke from the blazes, coupled with fires in neighboring Canada, worsened air quality for millions across the country. By mid-July, Chicago was reporting the worst air quality in the world. 

Though the month ranked as the third driest July of the 132-year record, with about 48.5% of the contiguous U.S. in drought, mid-month flash floods in Central Texas along the Guadalupe River brought over 28 inches of rainfall. The floods killed two people in the same area which saw catastrophic flooding over last year’s July 4th weekend. 

The month showed just how varied the impacts of climate change can be. Residents in Texas and Oregon saw their homes damaged or destroyed by flooding or fire, while those in the Midwest found themselves digging out N95 masks to walk their pets or commute to work while facing some of the worst particulate air quality the region has seen in over 25 years. Many others found creative ways to take respite from the heat—seeking shade in tree-lined streets or cooling off in fire hydrants and lakes alike. Here’s what it was like to live through the hottest month on record.