National Weather Service Issues Extreme Heat Warning for Parts of Three States
The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for 16 zones as heat index values are expected to reach up to 113 degrees.
3 reports on this incident · first at Aug 20, 2026, 1:53 a.m. ET
Earlier reports
Aug 20, 2026, 2:24 a.m. ET
NWS Shreveport Warns Heat-Related Illnesses Increase Significantly During Extreme Heat
Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events, according to official records from the National Weather Service in Shreveport, Louisiana, issued on August 20, 2026. The agency issued an Extreme Heat Warning for portions of southwest Arkansas, southeast Oklahoma, and northeast Texas, where dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 113 degrees are expected.
The warning starts at 10:00 AM CDT on August 20, 2026, and expires at 8:00 PM CDT this evening. The warning covers 16 zones, including Sevier, Howard, Little River, Hempstead, Nevada, Miller, Lafayette, and Columbia counties in Arkansas; McCurtain County in Oklahoma; and Red River, Bowie, Franklin, Titus, Camp, Morris, and Cass counties in Texas. Cities in the warning area include Texarkana, Hope, Broken Bow, De Queen, Idabel, and Mount Pleasant.
Official precautions state that people should drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun, and check on relatives and neighbors. Car interiors reach lethal temperatures in minutes, and young children and pets should not be left in unattended vehicles. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments during outdoor work. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool, shaded location, and official records note that heat stroke is an emergency for which people should call 9 1 1.
Aug 20, 2026, 1:53 a.m. ETFirst report
NWS Shreveport Issues Extreme Heat Warning Across Three States
The situation is developing on August 20, 2026, as the National Weather Service Shreveport LA issued an Extreme Heat Warning for portions of southwest Arkansas, southeast Oklahoma, and northeast Texas. The warning begins at 10:00 AM CDT and expires at 8:00 PM CDT this evening.
According to the official warning, dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 113 degrees are expected across 16 zones. The affected areas include Sevier, Howard, Little River, Hempstead, Nevada, Miller, Lafayette, Columbia, McCurtain, Red River, Bowie, Franklin, Titus, Camp, Morris, and Cass counties. Cities covered by the alert include Texarkana, Hope, Idabel, Magnolia, De Queen, and Mount Pleasant.
The issuing office stated that heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events. Advised precautions include drinking plenty of fluids, remaining in air-conditioned rooms, staying out of the sun, and checking on relatives and neighbors. Official guidance warns that car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in minutes and mandates never leaving young children or pets in unattended vehicles. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments during outdoor work, and notes that heat stroke is an emergency requiring a call to 9 1 1.
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Revision history
- Version 120 Aug 2026, 06:24current
First published.
- Version 120 Aug 2026, 05:53current
First published.
- Version 120 Aug 2026, 22:54current
First published.
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