While Abilene has seen fewer triple-digit days this summer compared to last year, city officials say the Texas heat still poses serious health risks.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported 2,370 cases of heat-related illness (HRI) across the state so far in 2025. Common illnesses include heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and, in some cases, death.
Vincent Cantu, the city’s emergency management coordinator, said that although temperatures have been lower in early summer, recent weather patterns have brought more humidity, and higher temperatures are now on the way.
“We're used to being in the heat. It's just the Texas thing,” Cantu said. “But sometimes that could sneak up on you and have some pretty, nasty effects. It's being outside in the sun for so long after strenuous activity, or your body temperature rising. It can become a real issue or a real deal for folks.”
Cari Waller, director of nursing for the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District, said heat exhaustion is among the most common HRIs. Symptoms can include dizziness, clammy skin, nausea, rapid pulse, and muscle cramps.
“Heat exhaustion, they may feel faint or dizzy, they may have excessive sweating, clammy skin, nausea, vomiting, a rapid pulse, muscle cramps,” Waller said. “So you want to get somebody to a cooler place? Put a cold compress on them. If they're conscious, you want to offer them water, you know, get them to the shade, that kind of thing. If they're conscious, you want to offer them water, get them to the shade, that kind of thing.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that heat stroke — which occurs when the body’s core temperature exceeds 104 degrees — is the most dangerous heat-related illness, potentially leading to organ failure or death.
“If somebody's like, ‘My head just hurts so bad, it's the worst headache I've ever had,’ and they've been out in the heat for a long time or they start vomiting and there's an absence of sweating– or if they lose consciousness, like you need to call 911 immediately,” Waller said.
City officials say young children, older adults, and people experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable. Abilene works with local partners to provide cooling centers and spread heat safety messages.
One such location is City Light Community Ministries at 1441 North 4th Street, which offers a place to rest, cool off, and receive meals.
“We are open from nine until three,” Executive Director John Moore said. “If they need a shower, they can get a shower. The times that we're open are the times that we help people stay out of the heat.”
Moore said donations and volunteers are critical to keeping the ministry running, especially during extreme weather.
With triple-digit highs expected in the Big Country over the next week, officials urge residents to sign up for CodeRED, a notification system that alerts the community during emergencies.
More information on heat safety and preparedness is available at AbileneTX.gov.