Community Corner

Update: Heat Advisory and Air Quality Alert Issued for Prince George's County

The National Weather Services has exended the a heat advisory for Prince George's County and much of the area to Thursday, from noon until 8 p.m., temperatures are expected to reach the mid 90s, with humidity it may feel like 105.

Update, June 9: The National Weather Service (NWS) has extended the heat advisory, which will go into effect again Thursday, from noon to 8 p.m.

We're also under a Code Orange air quality alert, Thursday, for another day.

Stay safe and cool. It's not a good day to overdo it. The NWS reports that things should cool off a bit for the weekend.

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Original Post, June 8: The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Prince George's County and much of the region from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Although predicting highs in the mid 90s, NWS warns the heat index values could climb to 100 or 105.

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Heat illnesses are possible due to hot temperatures and humidity. NWS advises checking up on relatives and neighbors, drinking plenty of fluids and staying in an air-conditioned room.

Stay out of the sun but if you work or spend time outside, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening, drink plenty of water and wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location—heat stroke is an emergency—and call 911.

It is unadvisable to leave children or pets in a car, as temperatures inside a vehicle can exceed safe temperatures in a matter of minutes.

NWS says to know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The Center's for Disease Control and Prevention says the warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include the following:

  • An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
  • Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
  • Rapid, strong pulse
  • Throbbing headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Confusion
  • Unconsciousness

The CDC warns if you see any of these signs you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency, so have someone call for immediate medical assistance, while you try to cool the victim with the following:

  • Get the victim to a shady area.
  • Cool the victim rapidly, using whatever methods you can. For example, immerse the victim in a tub of cool water; place the person in a cool shower; spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose; sponge the person with cool water; or if the humidity is low, wrap the victim in a cool, wet sheet and fan him or her vigorously.
  • Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102°F.
  • If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions.
  • Do not give the victim alcohol to drink.
  • Get medical assistance as soon as possible.

The CDC offers information on what happens to the body as a result of exposure to extreme heat, as well as the signs of heat exhaustion and heat rash—and who is at risk.

A Code Orange air quality alert is also in effect for Wednesday, issued by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in Association with other environment departments, including the Maryland Department of the Environment, which state the air pollution concentration within the region may become unhealthy for children, elderly, asthma sufferers, those with heart or lung diseases and other sensitive groups—and that the effects can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.

Clean Air partners offers information on ground-level ozone and fine particles.


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