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Area residents try to beat heat

By Josh Krysak 4 min read

Area residents joined millions of Americans across the country trying to beat the heat Monday as record-setting high temperatures blanketed the region and much of the nation. While Fayette County 911 did not report any incidents involving heat-related illness, the state Department of Health and local emergency officials continued to preach awareness of heat-related illness as the weather is expected to remain hot.

“The number one thing is that individuals need to stay hydrated. We recommend water and lots of it,” said Troy Thompson, spokesman for the Health Department. “And just be aware of the surroundings when outdoors and take commonsense precautions like wearing light-colored loose-fitting clothing.”

Thompson said area residents who cannot postpone outdoor activity until cooler temperatures because of work requirements simply need to “listen to their bodies.”

“They just need to remain hydrated and know when to take a break in the shade,” Thompson said. “They need to wear a hat and wear sunscreen. Most of all, though, people just need to be aware of the risks and listen to body signals to beat the heat. The body will say, ‘Hey, I need water.’ It is a fact of life that some people have to work in the heat, but just be practical about it.”

According to HSTV meteorologist Guy Nestor, the heat wave is the product of a high-pressure system holding over much of the region and being fed hot, dry air from another high-pressure system in the Southeast, causing record-setting high temperatures across much of the nation.

“(Today) and Wednesday, we will again see temperatures in the mid-90s, with isolated thunderstorms due to the high heat and humidity,” Nestor said Monday afternoon. “It will continue to be muggy and miserable until Thursday night or Friday, when a cold front will push the high pressure from the region, and we could see temperatures as low as the upper 70s by the weekend.”

According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, this time of the year is the hottest time in the state each year.

“This is going to be a very hot week, but this is the hottest time. This is when all are records are set,” said meteorologist Wayne Rumburg.

Rumburg noted that with the amount of rain that already has fallen across the state, state forecasters are not worried about drought conditions later in the year, despite the recent spike in temperatures.

The sweltering heat in the region is just one pocket of hot air plaguing the country as Philadelphia, New York City and Chicago, Ill., all braced for temperatures in the mid-90s, while Bismarck, N.D., Wichita, Kan., and Denver, Colo., prepared for temperatures topping 100 degrees.

Thompson said that sunburn always is a big concern when temperatures climb into the 90s, adding that sunscreen is the most effective way to combat the sun’s rays.

Thompson said one misconception is that an electric fan will help fight the heat. He said once the temperature reaches the high 80s, the fan is “of no use to you.”

Thompson recommended taking a cold shower or going to a home of a relative or friend that is equipped with air conditioning. He stressed that particularly is true for the elderly.

“The Department of Aging has a network that is on standby to assist the older population with relocation to a senior center or a church to get out of the heat,” Thompson said.

The high heat can result in heat exhaustion, which causes people to sweat, feel faint, become dizzy and often results in a headache, officials said.

A second heat-related illness is heat stroke, which sometimes can be fatal because of high body temperatures, Thompson said.

“If you come on someone who is exhibiting these symptoms, get them into a cool place and call 911,” Thompson said.

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