Heat wave causing temps to rise

Boy, it’s hot.

That’s what residents are saying this week as temperatures are already reaching July and August norms.

According to the National Weather Service out of Mobile, the highs are predicted to be in the mid-to-upper 90s for the rest of the week.

Construction workers with James B. Donaghey Inc., who are helping build the new addition to PowerSouth, said they take frequent breaks and drink a lot of water to beat the heat.

The high is predicted to reach 96 degrees today, and will drop down to 93 by Saturday.

To help cool the air, there is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms also predicted for the rest of the week, according to NOAA.

A big way to help beat the heat if residents decide to take it outside is proper hydration, Dr. Gabrielle Baldwin with Covington Pediatrics said.

“If you know you’re going to be out in high temperatures, you not only need to drink out in the heat, but pre-loading with fluids before going out is important.”

Baldwin said avoid drinks with caffeine for hydration because caffeine is a natural diuretic. A diuretic is a drug that prevents the retention of water.

Additionally, Baldwin said make sure there is plenty of shade for children and animals to get under if needed.

Andalusia Regional Hospital Medical Director Dr. Mark Griffin said heat exhaustion sometimes leads to a person passing out.

“When the body temperature rises over 105 degrees internally, it does not do good things for the brain,” he said.

Dizziness and light headiness are the first symptoms, Griffin said.

“Construction workers say you know then that the bear is coming to get you,” he said.

Baldwin said the best way to help cool somebody down from overheating is to use luke warm or cool water.

“I would give a warning against people who get overheated and cooling them too rapidly,” she said. “You don’t want to put a person too hot into an ice bath because that could worsen their condition. Even though it will cool their extremities, their body’s core (temperature) will increase. It causes damage to your body’s internal organs.”

Baldwin also encouraged residents to keep any eye on the elderly in their neighborhoods and to make sure they have fans to help circulate air if they don’t have appropriate cooling.