As temperatures in North Texas hit triple digits, heat-related illness is also on the rise. Because last year’s summer was unusually mild, the outlook for heat exhaustion, heatstroke and similar conditions this year could be more severe.
Already, Dallas County has recorded more heat-related illness compared to the same time last year, data shows. In June, the county had 283 cases, compared with 238 in June 2025.
Both of those counts are lower than June 2023, when Dallas County recorded 481 cases. That summer, D-FW experienced 55 triple-digit days.
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Dr. Philip Huang, Dallas County Health and Human Services director, said current rates are “pretty comparable” with previous years.
Most heat-related illness happens between July and September each year as temperatures peak, data shows. Dallas County had more than 700 cases during those months in 2025 and more than 1,700 in 2023.
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Tracking dangerous heat in Dallas and Texas
Heat-related illness cases also account for a slightly higher share of ER visits this summer, in both Dallas and Tarrant counties, compared to 2025
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The share of emergency room visits due to heat-related illness helps public health officials recognize whether extreme heat has an outsized impact among all emergencies, said Dr. Brian Byrd, Tarrant County Public Health director. That can be helpful during an influx of visitors for big events like the World Cup.
Despite a bump in ER visits coinciding with the games, the uptick hasn’t correlated strongly with heat-related illness, Byrd said.
“So far, everyone’s doing a really nice job of staying cool,” he said.
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With months of hot weather left in the year, public health officials encourage residents to stay vigilant by:
- Keeping hydrated
- Taking frequent breaks if working outside
- Monitoring for heat-related illness symptoms like excessive sweating, muscle cramps or dizziness
- Staying in air-conditioned spaces when possible. Dallas County Health and Human Services provides free AC units to eligible low-income and older residents, who can call 214-819-1909 to apply for the assistance.
