- The Louisiana summer heat can be brutal, so much so that there are several deaths every year because of it. The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) confirmed on Friday, August 7, 2026, the state's eighth heat-related death this year and is urging residents to check on vulnerable neighbors as extreme heat continues across the state. Still, officials are urging caution as Louisiana enters the peak of its extreme heat season, which runs from May through October. How to Help: What LDH Recommends During Extreme Heat"These deaths are preventable," Greenstein said. LDH also recommends having a health care professional or pharmacist explain how medications may affect heat tolerance.'