NC Heat Health Data and Reports

Heat-Related Illness Surveillance Reports

We track heat-related illness from May 1 to Sept. 30 each year, using data from NC DETECT.

2026 Weekly NC Heat-Related Illness Report

Statewide Key Messages

• The average weekly rate of heat-related illness (HRI) emergency department (ED) visits this season to date is 2.8 per 100,000 population.
• The total number of HRI ED visits up to Sept. 30, 2026 is 6,854.

This reporting period (September 20-30, 2026):

• There were 113 HRI ED visits (0.07% of total ED visits), with a rate of 1.1 per 100,000 population
• The rate was highest among males aged 20-24 years and males aged 45-64 years (1.9 per 100,000 population) 
• The rate of HRI ED visits was highest in the Sandhills (2.1 per 100,000 population)
• The most frequent heat related diagnosis code was heat exhaustion (n = 28; 49.5%)
• The maximum daily heat index ranged from 63.6 to 97°F at Raleigh-Durham International Airport
• There was 1 day when the minimum temperature was above 70°F

The report shows that extreme heat is becoming a bigger health risk. Staying cool, drinking water, taking breaks and checking on others can help prevent heat-related illness.

Read the full report: NC Heat-Related Illness Report Sept 20-30, 2026

More Reports

• Heat Community Readiness Report (PDF)
• Heat Implementation and Monitoring Strategy Executive Summary (PDF)
• Heat Implementation and Monitoring Strategy (PDF)