Comparison of Chicago heat deaths in the 1995 nad 1999 Midwestern US heat waves

The 1999 Midwestern US heat wave resulted in less than 200 deaths in the Chicago metropolitan area. By contrast, the 1995 heat wave resulted in over 700 deaths by some estimates. The close proximity in time of these two heat waves provides an opportunity to analyze the effectiveness of planning by governmental authorities which was taken after the 1995 heat wave to prevent such high impacts on human health. A comparative analysis of the meteorological intensity of these two heat waves was performed. No single day of the 1999 heat wave was as warm as the hottest days of the 1995 event, accounting for at least some of the difference in death rates. However, the 1999 heat wave was much longer. When all factors are taken into account, it appears that the actions taken by governmental authorities were probably responsible for reducing the death rate. The experience during the 1999 heat wave also identified some deficiencies in the response plan of the city.