Skip Ready Classroom Navigation Body content anchor
Extreme Heat
In some areas temperatures can hover ten degrees above normal for days or even weeks; in others, humidity can combine with heat to make it feel even ten degrees hotter than it really is.
Young children, pregnant women and the elderly are at increased risk for dehydration and heat stroke. City dwellers are at greater risk than those in the suburbs and countryside. The asphalt and concrete on city streets store heat during the day and release it at night, producing steamy temperatures known as the "urban heat island effect." Blackouts are a threat due to widespread use of air-conditioning, which strains power grids.
During extreme heat, you should stay indoors, avoid the sun during peak hours, wear hats, drink plenty of water, and stay tuned to the radio for weather and air quality reports. Be sure to have an Emergency Supply Kit in case of a blackout. Keep curtains and shades closed; seek air conditioning in public buildings if you don't have it at school. Watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion and call 9-1-1 right away in the case of heat stroke.
Download Extreme Heat Checklist (pdf)
- www.ready.gov: Extreme Heat
- FEMA: Are you ready? Extreme Heat
- NOAA Heat Index
- EPA: Preparing for Extreme Heat
States affected:
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Louisiana
Mississippi
Missouri
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Texas
Utah