August 15, 2016
The National Weather Service of Mount Holly extended an Excessive Heat Warning, which began last week and now lasts through Tuesday night.
An Excessive Heat Warning means that prolonged exposure to heat can be dangerous to people’s health.
The Excessive Heat Warning is in effect through 8 p.m., Tuesday, August 16th.
Temperatures: Highs in the lower to middle 90s Monday and Tuesday. Overnight lows are expected to range from 75 to 80 degrees.
Heat Index Values: Maximum Heat Index values (the “feels like” temperature): generally 97 to 102 on Monday afternoon and 103 to 108 on Tuesday afternoon.
Severe Storms: Thunderstorms are in the NWS forecast for Monday and Tuesday. Know how to keep yourself safe from thunderstorms and lightning.
Impacts: According to the National Weather Service, the excessive heat will create hazardous conditions. Potential for heat related health issues will be high, especially for the elderly and those in poor health. Multiple days of excessive heat has increased the risk for heat-related health issues, especially for the elderly and for those with chronic health problems such as lung and heart disease.
Preparedness: An Excessive Heat Warning means that a prolonged period of hot temperatures and high humidity is expected. This combination will create a dangerous situation in which heat related illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids. Stay in an air-conditioned environment if possible. Stay out of the sun. Check on elderly relatives and neighbors. Keep pets in a cool location with plenty of available water.
The National Weather Service of Mount Holly is continuing to publish timely information regarding the Excessive Heat.
According to the National Weather Service, “in 2015, 45 people died as a result of extreme heat, up dramatically from the 2014 total of 20. In 2015, the most dangerous place to be was in a permanent home, likely with little or no air conditioning, where 15 people died.” In 2015 Pennsylvania had the third most heat-related deaths in the United States with a total of 4.
Excessive heat can cause health problems, especially for seniors, pregnant women, infants, and children. Hot temperatures can also result in utility disruptions and bad weather such as thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tropical storms.
What to do
- If you see people who are homeless and suffering from the heat, call our outreach team at (215) 232-1984.
- Visit OEM’s Excessive Heat page. This includes our health tips, our Stay Cool Guide, and an interactive Stay Cool Interactive Map of public swimming pools, spray grounds, and cooling centers.
- Cooling Centers are only opened during an official “Excessive Heat Warning.” Before you visit a cooling center, call to make sure it’s open and if it has room for additional visitors.
- Know the warning signs of heat sicknesses.
- If you are concerned for your health or the health of someone you know, call the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) Heatline, (215) 765-9040, during an Excessive Heat Warning. The Heatline is a partnership between the PCA and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and anyone can call the Heatline.
- Visit the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) website for the 2016 Heat Safety Policy (pdf), training materials, and handouts.
- For current air quality information and tips to protect public health visit the City’s Air Quality website.
- Sign up for ReadyPhiladelphia, the City’s Mass Notification Alert System, to receive important weather and emergency information.
A simple yet essential way to be prepared is to stay informed. Get emergency alerts from OEM’s ReadyPhiladelphia program sent to your phone or email to keep you informed prior to and during an emergency.