Heat Wave Continues to Take Toll on State

Temperatures in north Texas reached triple digits for the 22nd consecutive day, and a top forecaster speculated the heat wave and drought could surpass the scorching summer of 1980 as the hottest ever in Texas. The heat wave is blamed for at least 94 deaths in the state since June 1, $1.5 billion in agricultural damage and more than 6,765 wildfires. Federal Emergency Management Agency Director James Lee Witt traveled to Houston to huddle with state and local officials and assess what else the federal government can do. President Clinton already has declared Texas and 10 other southern and southwestern states disaster areas because of the heat and drought, making available $100 million in federal aid, including $32.7 million to Texas.