Elderly family’s deaths highlight dangers of extreme heat and isolation in South Texas
Three family members in Brownsville, Texas died after heat exposure worsened their chronic health issues, emphasizing the risks posed by high temperatures and social isolation in the Rio Grande Valley.
Martha Pskowski reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- The Galvan family—aged 60 to 82—died in their apartment, where a malfunctioning AC left indoor temperatures dangerously high.
- Chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease, common in the Rio Grande Valley, increase vulnerability to heat-related deaths.
- Isolation worsened their situation, as elderly residents often face these challenges without support systems or climate disaster planning.
Key quote:
"This is what happens when you have a government, local and state, that is not taking this risk seriously."
— Jeff Goodell, Austin-based journalist and author of “The Heat Will Kill You First"
Why this matters:
The Rio Grande Valley's rising temperatures pose an increasing threat to its aging and medically fragile population. Without adequate support or cooling measures, preventable heat-related deaths may become more common as climate change accelerates.
Read more: Texas weather extremes becoming increasingly common
