New study shows first responders face another danger: heat

A new study by Franklin College climate researcher Andrew Grundstein shows that hurricanes may leave behind another danger beside flooding and power outages: heat. 

Grunstein's study, in Geohealth, found that emergency response workers in southeastern Texas were working in dangerous conditions most of the time following Hurricane Beryl in July 2024 due to the heat. 

“Hurricane Beryl struck Texas in 2024 and left a million people without power," Grunstein said. "July in Texas without air conditioning and with numerous teams of first responders rushing and working frantically on rescues and other lifesaving efforts creates an extremely dangerous combination."

Grunstein co-authored the study with Marshall Shepherd, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences and director of the Atmospheric Sciences Program at UGA, and Michelle Ritchie of the UGA College of Public Health Institute for Disaster Management.

Read more about the study.