With near record breaking heat impacting the Franklinton area, residents are being cautioned to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The high temperature this past weekend in Franklinton was officially 97 degrees, but the “feels like” temperature was 105. The high temperatures continued into this week. Monday’s high was 95, Tuesday’s high was 98, and the predicted high for Wednesday, June 22, was 98.
National Weather Service predictions for the remainder of the week show high temperatures ranging from 97 to 101 degrees. Various individual residential and business thermometers in the area showed temperatures varying as much as 5 degrees +/- from one neighborhood to the next, but the National Weather Service high is actually considered to be the “official” high temperature.
That’s hot enough to cause severe health problems for anyone outside in the sun.
With the near record high temperatures expected to stick around for at least the next five days, here are the recommended measures to avoid heat exhaustion, which can lead to heat stroke. (Many people do not realize that high heat causes more deaths than any other climatic situation.)
•Rest in a cool place. Preferably, with air conditioning. If not, then at least a fan and shade from the sun.
•Drink cool fluids
•Do not exercise outdoors in the high heat, and avoid working outdoors if possible.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
•Headache.
•Nausea.
•Dizziness.
•Weakness.
•Irritability.
•Thirst.
•Heavy sweating.
•Elevated body temperature.
