As a record summer heat wave envelopes much of the United States, we have a story today about migrants treated for hypothermia after being rescued from the Rio Grande.

Courtesy: Brianna Perez KVIA
Courtesy: Brianna Perez KVIA
loading...

54 individuals were rescued from the Rio Grande on Tuesday evening by the El Paso and Sunland Park fire departments. Of that number, six of the migrants had to be treated for hypothermia. Hypothermia is defined as having a “core body temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit”.

Sunland Park Fire Chief Daniel Medrano has a message for migrants: “Crossing illegally is against the law and it is dangerous.”

Ok, agreed. But it’s surprising that people could get hypothermia, even in the water, when the high temperature that day (Tuesday, July 9) was right around 100 degrees.

600 ESPN El Paso logo
Enter your number to get our free mobile app
Border Patrol BORSTAR Team Searches for Dying Illegal Immigrants
Getty Images
loading...

El Paso Fire said that only three or four of the migrants had to be transported for medical care and it sounds like the cases were the mildest level of hypothermia.

OK, so last night I was out in my backyard around 8, as is my habit. But it was very windy and, belief it or not, even a little chilly. Not enough to keep me from taking a dip in the pool (also part of my summertime routine).  It was bracing, but not frigid.

HOWEVER…these people had been in the water for an unknown period of time. Also, the Rio Grande is an active river (when it actually has water in it) so the Rio water was probably a little colder than my pool.  Still, I heard the word “hypothermia” on the news and was perplexed because, you know, El Paso in July.

A total of 30 divers from the El Paso, Sunland Park, Mesilla, Horizon and Montana Vista fire departments participated in the rescue/apprehensions. All of the individuals were turned over to law enforcement.

KEEP READING: Get answers to 51 of the most frequently asked weather questions...