Sizzling heat hurts crops and farmers across the country during drought

BALTIMORE - The sizzling summer is taking a toll across America.  80 percent of the country is unusually dry.  This year's drought already the largest natural disaster in U.S. history keeps spreading and heat records keep falling.

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Many rivers are at their lowest levels in years.  The lack of water is posing a threat to crucial shipping routes.

The price of food including produce prices plus meat and poultry will go up.  Farmers say the longer the heat lingers and the more severe it becomes, the greater the impact will be on prices in restaurants and grocery stores.

There have been 23 heat related deaths in Maryland. Cooling Centers are open to provide relief from the heat.