URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE - NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE 

904 AM CDT FRI JUN 29 2012

...DANGEROUS HEAT EXPECTED THROUGH MONDAY...

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=pah&wwa=all

DANGEROUS LEVELS OF HEAT WILL AGAIN OVERSPREAD THE REGION TODAY. THE HEAT WILL PERSIST RIGHT ON THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL REACH RECORD OR NEAR RECORD LEVELS INTO THE WEEKEND.

THIS STRETCH OF HEAT OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS WILL BE COMPARABLE TO THE INTENSE HEAT EXPERIENCED BACK IN THE 1930S.

SOME MODELS ARE PROJECTING THE HEAT MAY PERSIST INTO NEXT WEEK INCLUDING THE FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY. SHOULD MODEL OUTPUT CONTINUE WITH THIS TREND...ADDITIONAL HEAT RELATED HEADLINES MAY BE REQUIRED. THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY WITH RESPECT TO THE MODEL DATA AT THIS TIME.

What is Code Orange Ozone Alert?

Code Orange Ozone Alert is a government issued warning of dangerous pollution levels. Bad air quality can be particularly dangerous to children and adults, especially those with respiratory problems, such as asthma and lung diseases. Code Orange Ozone Alert lets us know what days will be effected, so, sensitive groups can take necessary precautions.

Code Orange Ozone Alert is a government issued warning that the air-quality is poor and unhealthy due to pollution. Those most affected by this situation are children and adults who may already have health conditions, such as, lung disease and asthma. Sensitive groups of people are urged to limit outdoor activities and take special precautions to avoid exertion and prolonged exposure, when a Code Orange Ozone Alert is issued.

These unhealthy conditions can bring about minor irritations to the eyes, nose and throat. However, overexposure to these dangerous Code Orange Levels can reduce the healthy function of the lungs, cause inflammation of the lungs and lung lining, bring on an asthma attack, and cause a lung illness to develop.

On days that Code Orange Ozone Alerts are issued, everyone should limit activities that add to pollution and poor air quality.

• Limit driving – combine errands, carpool, or take the bus.

• Postpone lawn care until after 6 pm or until Ozone Levels are back to normal.

• Refuel after 6 pm

• Turn up the thermostat a few degrees.

• Avoid using chemicals, such as those used for work, household cleaning and gardening.

Combine Code Orange Ozone with excessive heat; you have a deadly combination. A lot of states are already suffering with excessive heat, now, the ozone levels are rising to dangerous levels as well. Therefore, everyone should take regular excessive heat related precautions, as well as, avoid prolonged exposure to the dangerous ozone levels.

WGMD.COM

http://www.wgmd.com/?p=61760

Today is a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for DE Today is a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day in the First State.

Sunshine and high temperatures will bring ground-level ozone to unhealthy levels for groups that are sensitive – like the elderly, the very young and anyone with heart and/or respiratory conditions.

Today is likely the start of a multi-day event that will last through Monday, however any thunderstorms that may occur will help to limit ozone.

http://www.wgmd.com/?p=61734

Heat Advisory Fri. from Noon to 7 P.M.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory effective from noon today through 7 o’clock tonight.

The advisory includes inland Sussex County and all of Kent County.

Forecasters say temperatures are expected to hover in the mid- to upper-90’s; heat index values will reach 105 degrees.

http://www.wgmd.com/?p=61699

Cooling Stations Opened in Sussex County

Here comes the heat again – and with temperatures to near triple digits through Sunday, Sussex County has designated several cooling stations that will be available throughout the county.

One way to stay cool is to find an air conditioned location – stores, movie theaters and several county sites will also be open during the hottest times of the day as well.

You can visit the County Administration Building on the Circle in Georgetown, the South Coastal Library in Bethany Beach, Milton Library and Greenwood Library. Only the libraries will be open on Saturday.

County paramedics will also make routine stops at the cooling stations to answer heat-related questions or concerns. Free bottled water will be available at the County offices only.

To stay more comfortable – wear light colored, light-weight clothing, stay in properly ventilated areas, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Also check on friends, relatives and neighbors who may be at risk for exposure to the heat – especially the elderly and very young. And give pets extra water, shade or bring them inside where its cooler.

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NEWS RELEASE: Sussex County designates ‘cooling stations’ as heat, humidity settle in ahead of Fourth

It wouldn’t be the Fourth of July in Sussex County if the thermometer wasn’t rising as fast as a streaking firecracker.

With the big summer holiday nearly upon us, forecasters are predicting extreme heat and high humidity to bake the region the next several days. To help the public cope with the extreme weather, Sussex County has designated four facilities as “cooling stations”, which will be available during this latest heat wave.

National Weather Service forecasters are predicting temperatures through Sunday to inch toward 100 degrees, with heat index values of 105 degrees or more each day. Daytime high temperatures should slide a bit, into the lower 90s, by early next week and last through at least the Independence Day holiday.

County government reminds the public there is a simple way to beat the heat. Just visit any one of these air-conditioned facilities:

(1) County Administration Building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown, DE, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M-F

(2) South Coastal Library, 43 Kent Ave., Bethany Beach, DE, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. M-Th; 1-5 p.m. F; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat

(3) Milton Library, 121 Union Street, Milton, DE, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. M-F; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.

(4) Greenwood Library , 100 Mill Street, Greenwood, DE, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. M, T, Th, F; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. W; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat

Sussex County paramedics will make routine stops at these locations, as time permits, to answer any heat-related questions and/or concerns. Also, free, individual servings of bottled water will be available at the County Administration Building ONLY to help the public cool off from the heat.

When visiting a relief station, please bring any medications and/or specialty items that you need.

Residents and visitors are urged to limit exposure outside, particularly during the hottest part of the day – roughly from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Those who must be outside should take frequent breaks, and drink plenty of water.

“This extreme heat can make many medical conditions such as heart and lung disease much worse,” said Sussex County Emergency Medical Services Director Robert Stuart. “Staying cool and hydrating with water is essential for everyone when the heat index reaches the levels that have been forecasted.”

Here are some hot weather safety tips:

• Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing. Lighter clothing deflects sunlight, and will not absorb heat like dark materials do;

• Stay in properly ventilated areas;

• Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day;

• Have plenty of water available. Avoid alcoholic beverages;

• Be aware of the signs of heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and seek medical attention if necessary. Signs of heat cramps can include muscular pains and spasms from heavy exertion. Resting in a cooler area, taking occasional sips of water and stretching the muscle mildly can counter the effects of heat cramps. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are much more serious, and may require immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include a pale or flushed appearance, as well as headache and nausea. Heat stroke symptoms include rapidly increased body temperature, loss of consciousness, rapid or weak pulse and rapid, shallow breathing.

Be sure to check on friends, relatives and neighbors, particularly the elderly and young children, who may be at risk for exposure to the heat. Remember to give pets extra water, provide shade or bring them into a residence where temperatures are cooler.

It is also important to keep in mind that due to the higher temperatures and humidity expected in the area over the coming days, demand for electricity will increase. In an effort to reduce costs and avoid power shortages, the County Emergency Operations Center asks all residents and business operators in Sussex County to help conserve power to avoid outages.

You can help in the conservation of electricity by taking the following steps:

• Set air conditioners to 80 degrees, or use fans instead, and minimize the opening of refrigerators and freezers;

• Limit the use of electric water heaters and turn off non-essential appliances and lights;

• Delay using high-energy appliances, such as washing machines and dryers, until after 8 p.m.;

• Prepare light summer meals that require minimal, if any, cooking. Try using an outdoor grill or microwave oven instead of an electric range;

• Keep window shades, blinds, or drapes closed to block the sunlight during the hottest portion of the day;

• Move lamps, TVs and other heat sources away from air conditioner thermostats. Heat from those appliances is sensed by the thermostat and could cause an air conditioner to run longer than necessary;

• Move furniture and other obstacles from in front of central air conditioning ducts to allow cooler air to circulate through rooms more freely.

Businesses can conserve electricity by:

• Raising thermostats;

• Turning off unnecessary lighting and equipment.

The Sussex County EOC and Sussex County EMS will continue to monitor the weather situation and issue updates as needed. For more information, please call (302) 855-7801 [EOC] or (302) 854-5050 [EMS].

You may view our other web pages for additional information regarding excessive heat and related precautions.

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