National Climatic Data Center (http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/reports/billionz.html#chron)
Comments:
1988 drought in central and eastern U.S. with very severe losses to agriculture and related industries; estimated $40.0 (61.6) billion damage/costs; estimated 5,000 to 10,000 deaths (includes heat stress-related).
HT-1988-000001-USA Heat Wave,United States: 1988 drought in central and eastern U.S. with very severe losses to agriculture and related industries; estimated $40.0 (61.6) billion damage/costs; estimated 5,000 to 10,000 deaths (includes heat stress-related).