Worries About Drowning Come With Heat in US As a big chunk of the U.S. deals with hot weather, people are heading into pools and lakes to cool off. That has public health officials worried about a heightened risk of drowning. Much of the central and eastern U.S. has experienced particularly hot weather in recent days, with temperatures climbing into the 100s in several cities. Drowning deaths historically go up in the summer months, but the intensely hot weather may be putting even more people at risk as they flock to water for relief, some without swimming skills. In Chicago, Reggie Banks wondered whether heat drove his 22-year-old nephew, a strong swimmer, into Lake Michigan on the Fourth of July. Mahlik Harris' body was pulled from the water after he went missing while swimming. An autopsy is pending.