Update: Heat Wave Continues, Schools to Close

The heat continues in Upper Dublin, forcing the Upper Dublin School District to call for an early dismissal. Sandy Run Middle School will let out at 12:30 p.m., followed by all four elementary schools at 1:15 p.m. The high school students, at the benefit of the new building's geothermal heating and cooling, will remain open. 

Weather.com is calling for temperatures to be slightly hotter than yesterday, hitting 90 by noon and peaking as high as 97 around 3 to 4 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for the area, to go in effect through 8 p.m. tonight. The warning extends through "much of southeastern Pennsylvania, north Delaware and west central New Jersey."

The warning states that the most dangerous times will be in the afternoon and early evening hours.

"A very hot and humid air mass will cause temperatures to swell into the mid and upper 90s, and create dangerous conditions," the warning states.

Patch spoke with Upper Dublin Township Manager Paul Leonard, who advises residents concerned about the heat or the elderly to register with the county's Special Needs Registry.

"Upper Dublin Township participates, along with the rest of the county, in that registry. It is possible for anyone that wants to to sign up [to be notified] about the heat emergencies," he said.

Leonard also said that the township does not provide cooling stations for residents unless there is an emergency power outage. However, the township is prepared for such an emergency.

"Our experience has been that a combination of many of the homes in Upper Dublin having air-conditioners and fans, as well as the elderly being checked on by the Special Needs Registry, people are in pretty good shape," Leonard said. "We do have water and a complete Red Cross station (at the township building) full of personal needs kits in the event that we have to open that up."

A news alert was also issued from the desk of Upper Dublin School District Superintendent Michael Pladus, stating schools will run on normal hours Wednesday.

"[The school district will] utilize to the extent possible the limited air-conditioned areas that are available in each of our elementary schools and middle school," the alert read. "In addition, frequent opportunities for hydration breaks will be built into the schedule."

The alert goes on to state that forecasts will be monitored closely throughout the day to reach a decision for Thursday. If an early dismissal is made, it will occur at 12:30 p.m. for middle school students and 1:15 p.m. for elementary students, and parents will be notified via listserv and the district's emergency calling system.

The National Weather Service also released the following advisories:

• The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Stay in air-conditioned rooms, and out of the sun.
• Check up on neighbors and relatives.
• Take extra precaution when working outside.
• Reschedule strenuous activity to the early morning or late evening.
• Wear light and loose-fitting clothing.
• If you must work outside, take frequent breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments.
• Make sure pets have access to a shaded and well-ventilated area and plenty of cool water.
• Do not leave anyone unattended in a vehicle for any length of time.

Upper Dublin Patch has reached out to the township to find out about any emergency services that are available. Please stay with Upper Dublin Patch for updates on the heat wave.