Excessive Heat Warnings Updated For The Hudson Valley

The National Weather Service has updated its excessive heat warnings for the lower and mid-Hudson Valley. They're in effect from noon July 19 through 8 p.m. July 21.

There's also an air quality advisory in effect 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. Friday, due to air pollution levels problematic for children, the elderly, and people with lung problems.

The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely. There won't be much relief at night, as heat index values will stay in the 80s.

"This kind of air mass hasn’t impacted the Hudson Valley in a few years, at least not in the form of a 3-day heat wave," said Alex Marra and Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather.

Here's what we're looking at:

• Friday: Hot. Temperatures in the low 90s, oppressive humidity making it feel over 100 degrees. In the lower Hudson Valley, there is potential for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms.
• Saturday: Hotter. Temps and dew points rising. Could feel like 110 degrees.
• Sunday: Hotter still, with temps in the upper 90s. Chance of rain later in the day.
• Monday: Mostly cloudy, chance of rain increases. Highs in the mid-80s.

Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year and even more heat-related illnesses.

“The weather becomes a cause for concern when temperatures and humidity remain elevated for three or four days or more, and the emergency department begins to see an increase in visits by people suffering from heat-related illness," said Ivan Miller, MD, Director of Emergency Medicine at Westchester Medical Center.

Particularly at risk are infants and young children, older adults and those whose work requires them to spend extended periods of time outdoors, such as road crews, sanitation workers, and public safety officers.

Heat emergencies include heat cramps, signaled by cramping of the abdominal muscles and arm or leg muscles, and heat exhaustion, signaled by profuse sweating, nausea and cramps of the arm or leg muscles. These weather emergencies can be corrected by getting out of the heat and staying hydrated, said Geralyn Flaherty, RN, MPH, CEM, Clinical Director of Emergency Services, CDU and Stat Ground at Westchester Medical Center, but if these precautions are not taken, they could also lead to more serious illnesses like heat stroke.

“Heat stroke is most commonly seen in people who have untreated heat exhaustion, with their body losing its ability to cool itself down,” Flaherty said. Heat stroke can lead to seizures and possibly death.

To beat the summer heat and avoid possible illnesses, stay hydrated, especially on days when heat and humidity are high. “If you believe that you may be suffering from the effects of heat, remove yourself from the heat, cool off and seek medical attention,” said Dr. Miller.

How to Respond to Excessive Heat Events

• Slow down: reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Children, seniors and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
• Dress for summer. Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
• Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads. If you pack food, put it in a cooler or carry an ice pack. Don't leave it sitting in the sun. Meats and dairy products can spoil quickly in hot weather.
• Drink plenty of water (not very cold), non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty. If you on a fluid restrictive diet or have a problem with fluid retention, consult a physician before increasing consumption of fluids.
• Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries.
• Use portable electric fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air.
• Do not direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperature is hotter than 90°F. The dry blowing air will dehydrate you faster, endangering your health.
• Minimize direct exposure to the sun. Sunburn reduces your body's ability to dissipate heat.
• Take a cool bath or shower.
• Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
• Check on older, sick, or frail people who may need help responding to the heat. Each year, dozens of children and untold numbers of pets left in parked vehicles die from hyperthermia. Keep your children, disabled adults, and pets safe during tumultuous heat waves.
• Don't leave valuable electronic equipment, such as cell phones and gps units, sitting in hot cars.
• Make sure rooms are well vented if you are using volatile chemicals.
• For more heat health tips, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Safety Tips for Parents

• Touch a child's safety seat and safety belt before using it to ensure it's not too hot before securing a child
• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows down, even for just a minute
• Teach children not to play in, on, or around cars. They could accidentally trap themselves in a hot vehicle.
• Always lock car doors and trunks--even at home--and keep keys out of children's reach.
• Always make sure children have left the car when you reach your destination. Don't leave sleeping infants in the car ever.

Ossining police yesterday had to break a child out of a hot car: