Memphis was enduring the brunt of the death toll, with at least 10 people -- many of them elderly -- succumbing to the heat over the past nine days, WTVC-TV in Chattanooga, Tenn., reported. In all, Tennessee had 11 heat-related fatalities, while nine were confirmed in Missouri, eight each in Alabama and Illinois, four each in Arkansas and Georgia, two in South Carolina and one in Mississippi, the TV station said.

Authorities said the temperature had reached 101 in the home of a 77-year-old Memphis woman found dead Thursday evening.

"She had a fan on and had a small (air conditioning) unit, but it was switched to 'fan' and was only blowing out hot air," said Shelby County Medical Examiner Karen Chancellor.

The official said the woman had no known medical conditions, but an autopsy showed signs of heart disease.