The rest of this week is going to be a hot one!
Most of our listening area has been placed under an Excessive Heat Warning from the National Weather Service in Lincoln from Noon today through 8:00pm on Saturday. The counties affected by this warning include Christian, Macon, Moultrie, Shelby, Cumberland, Effingham, Jasper, Crawford, Clay, Richland, Lawrence, Marion, and Fayette. Under the Excessive Heat Warning, temperatures will reach into the mid 90’s. With dew points in the 70’s, heat indices will reach 105 to 110 degrees each day. The effects of the heat will worsen as the heat wave continues.
We recently spoke with Joe Zydlo of the American Red Cross and Debra Murbarger with HSHS St Anthony’s Memorial Hospital regarding the Excessive Heat Warning. They both gave us some tips for dealing with the effects of the heat, such as take frequent breaks, drink more water than usual, wear light colored-loose fitted clothing, check on elderly friends/family/neighbors, and keep animals indoors.
Murbarger urged that everyone be aware of the symptoms of heat stroke as they are a major risk with high heat such as this. The symptoms of a heat stroke include a body temperature of 103 degrees or higher, hot/red/dry/or damp skin, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
Murbarger also suggests that if someone near you begins exhibiting symptoms of a heat stroke, to move them into a cool place, bring their body temperature down, and if they lose consciousness to call 911.
(Photo courtesy of the National Weather Service in Lincoln.)