Health Connect Weather/Environment  

County Issues Heat Emergency Alert Starting Saturday

The county will be under a Heat Emergency Alert beginning Saturday, June 22 and continuing through Sunday, June 23.

The county’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) issued the alert from noon Saturday through 8 p.m. Sunday.

The alert is sent when the temperature or heat index is forecast to be 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for at least a two-day period. Nighttime temperatures can still be a health threat after extended exposure even though temperatures may be lower.

The high temperatures could cause heat-related illness such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. The county encourages residents to stay indoors as much as possible.

During operating hours, residents can cool off at county facilities like libraries, pools, recreation centers and senior centers. During service hours, anyone seeking shelter can use Ride On buses.

Never leave people or pets in a parked car for any amount of time, even with an open window. It only takes a few minutes for temperatures inside parked vehicles to climb over 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

The county urges residents to take measures for protection, like stay indoors whenever possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, take frequent breaks in a cool area if you are outdoors, drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Those at greatest risk for heat-related illness are infants and children up to four years old, people ages 65+, people who are ill or on certain medications, and people who are overweight. The county encourages residents to frequently check on high-risk individuals. 

If residents experience symptoms of heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, they should remove themselves from heat, loosen/lighten their clothing and drink water. Heat exposure can be life-threatening.

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