‘We’re havin’ a heat wave’
NWS issues extreme heat warning
Mark Wilcox/Daily Mining Gazette
The dashboard says it all, showing 91 degrees at 1 p.m Monday in Houghton. An extreme heat advisory remains in effect until 10 p.m. today
HANCOCK — The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department is urging younger children and the elderly to stay inside and cool off this week. A heat wave is hitting the Keweenaw, with temperatures Monday reaching above 90 degrees. The rest of the week is expected to be hot and humid a well
Western U.P. Public Health and Registered Nurse Rhiannon Schmidt said at-risk residents should watch out for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. “Usually if you just have heat exhaustion, you’ll feel sick and crampy. If you go indoors and you have a cool drink and try and cool off, then you can start to feel better,” she said. “But when you have the heat stroke symptoms, you might even lose consciousness, and that’s when you need to seek medical attention.”
Schmidt said symptoms of heat stroke and exhaustion are similar, but people still need to limit any physical activity outside and hydrate. “You’ll feel hot and dizzy and maybe faint,” she said. “You’ll get some sweating, cool, pale, clammy skin and you might have nausea or vomiting — also a rapid pulse.”
Seeking medical attention for heat-related ailments can be tricky, but Schmidt said she recommends cooling down indoors or taking a bath. “If you’re feeling sick for longer than an hour or you’re throwing up, you can’t keep fluids down, then you need to seek medical attention,” she said
Canal View – Houghton County in Hancock takes care of elderly residents in Houghton County and according to its website, it is home to 135 residents. Public Relations Director Jaye Camm said the elderly are especially at-risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke. “We have to watch for our residents who have any sort of medical conditions that heat would bring on more of their condition,” she said. “Our recommendation is always for the benefit of the residents and their health.”
Canal view takes precautionary measures through hydration stations, as well as popsicles and watermelon to assure seniors are staying cool. Camm said any activity outside is carefully watched over by Canal View’s staff
Even the smallest amount of activity is going to exhaust you more than you think in the hot temperatures,” she said. Make sure you’re eating and hydrating… stay in the shade, wear a hat, help each other out. Anything that you can do — small steps will help in the long run.”
Schmidt said the hottest times of the day are when people should be limiting physical activity and direct sunlight outdoors
“On very hot days you need to be indoors during the hottest parts of the day,” she said. “So ideally, 11:30 until 2, maybe 3:00 p.m. on really hot days. If you do need to go out, keep it short.”
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning in effect until 10 p.m. today. Temperatures could reach the low 90s with Heat Index values reaching 105.The warm weather will continue with daytime temperatures remaining in the mid 80s through Sunday
