112-Degree Heat index? It Got This Hot In Camden County On Friday

Yeah, you could say it was hot in New Jersey on Friday. Especially in Camden County.

As temperatures soared amid an Excessive Heat Warning, the heat index in Camden County hit 112 degrees on Friday, July 19, according to the National Weather Service. The temperature went up to 93 degrees.

The heat index takes the real temperature and humidity into account, and was expected to be at its worst at about 5 p.m. The Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect until 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 21.

Read more: 116-Degree Heat Index Expected As NJ Weather About To Get Worse

Camden County is distributing free fans to senior citizens ages 60 and older with an income less than $25,000. To request a fan or for more information, call the Camden County Division of Senior and Disabled Services at 856-858-3220. Here is the forecast for the rest of the weekend:

• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.
• Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southwest wind around 7 mph.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 113. West wind 6 to 8 mph.
• Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. West wind around 6 mph.
• Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. West wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Sunday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Monday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

To avoid heat-related illness, the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services recommends the following:

• Avoid, as much as possible, working or playing in the hot sun or other hot areas. If you must be out in the sun, wear a head covering. A wide-brimmed hat or visor will not only protect your head from intense rays of the sun, it will also provide a shield for your eyes.

• Use air-conditioners and fans. Open windows to release trapped hot air.
• Those taking regular medication should consult with their physician. Some medications cause an adverse reaction in hot weather.
• Wear lightweight clothing.
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids, warm and cool. Because the body loses fluids in the heat, drinking lots of liquids helps to avoid dehydration.
• Maintain a normal diet.
• Shower or bathe in water that is near skin temperature.
• Do not leave older people, children or pets alone in cars.
• Make sure your pets also have plenty of fresh drinking water.
• The early warning signs of heat stress are decreased energy, slight loss of appetite, faintness, light-headedness and nausea. People experiencing these symptoms should go to a cool environment, drink liquids, remove excess clothing and rest.

Serious signs of heat stress include unconsciousness, rapid heartbeat, throbbing headache, dry skin, chest pain, mental confusion, irritability, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, staggering and difficulty breathing.

Anyone who experiences these symptoms should get immediate medical attention. While waiting for help, the person should be moved to a cool area, be fanned and be sprayed with water. They should also remove excess clothing. In an emergency, dial 911.

See related:
Keep Seniors Safe During Excessive Heat: GTPD
116-Degree Heat Index Possible As NJ Weather About To Get Worse