The first major heat wave of the summer hits the County this week. The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning from 11:00 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday. Temperatures may hit at least 100 degrees and coupled with the humidity, it could feel like 110 degrees outside.
The National Weather Service also has issued an Extreme Heat Warning from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Again, temperatures are expected to reach 100 degrees and the heat value could soar to 110 degrees. The extreme heat will continue through Wednesday. Thunderstorms on Thursday will help bring the temperatures below 100 degrees.
County Issues Warning
The County has issued a Heat Emergency Alert from noon on Monday through 8 a.m. on Thursday. The alert says residents should prepare for heat index values to reach 105 degrees during the afternoon hours. The County warns the dangerously hot temperatures and heat index values could cause heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
While the County does not have buildings set aside as cooling centers, officials urge residents to stay out of the heat. Libraries, County buildings, recreation centers, indoor shopping malls are just some of the places residents can visit that have air-conditioning.
Heat Related Deaths
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) released a study last year showing on average more than 860 people died from heat related causes between 1999 and 2023. Over the last 4 years of the study, the number of deaths dramatically increased from 1,159 deaths in 2020 to 2,325 deaths in 2023.
Protection from the Heat
Doctors say there are steps people can take to protect themselves from the heat. MCM recently spoke with Dr. Fabian Sandoval, President and CEO of Emerson Clinical Research Institute in Washington, D.C.
He said it is important for people to stay hydrated when it gets this hot. Sandoval said people who spend a lot of time outdoors when temperatures rise to this level put themselves at risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. He said the number one symptom of heat exhaustion and heat stroke is when a person stops sweating. Perspiration helps cool down the body so when that stops, the core temperature starts to rise. Other signs of heat stroke include slurring words or inability to concentrate. Difficulty walking may be another sign.
Doctors recommend people who experience heat stroke get into a cooler environment. Patients should then place a cool or cold compress on their neck, armpits, and groin. Heat stroke can be deadly, so call 911 if a heat-affected person loses consciousness or stops breathing.
