Triple-Digit Heat Keeps Austin Medics Busy

AUSTIN, TX — Some in Central Texas haven't gotten the memo that the kind of heat we're experiencing of late is downright dangerous. Sure, one can chalk this weather up as yet another typical Texas summer — the kind we make "It was so hot today...." jokes to help us cope.

But this heat is not typical, and those not heeding weather officials' warnings could fall ill. On Wednesday alone, Austin-Travis County EMS medics responded to 11 incidents involving heat-related complaints, officials said on Twitter.

The scramble to render aid came amid yet another heat advisory from the National Weather Service, typically issued on days reaching 100-degree heat that feel much hotter with the heat index — 107 degrees at yesterday's peak, for instance.

And it's gonna get worse before it gets better in the coming days: "High temps will range from 99 to 107 degrees, and heat index values will reach 108-110," medics report. "Heat illnesses are possible."

In a separate tweet, medics issued a series of tips to avoid falling ill:

As this story is being written, the temperature reading outdoors registered at 102 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. That's the actual temperature, mind you, not the reading factoring in the heat index. So hot is it lately, the normally staid meteorologists at the National Weather Service brought out their red coloring to denote the level of solar intensity in the region:

National Weather Service.

Forecasters also used an exclamation point for emphasis, something not always seen by them: "Today: Mostly sunny and hot!" they wrote pithily.

Not to add to your woes, here, but here's the rest of this week's regional forecast as prognosticated by the National Weather Service. With temps expected to exceed 100 degrees in the coming days, it ain't pretty. For the weak at heart, just know it'll be hella hot so prepare well and avert your gaze to the following information as you would avoid staring directly at the sun:

• Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Heat index values as high as 111. South wind around 10 miles per hour.
• Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. South southeast wind around 10 mph.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 103. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. South southeast wind around 10 mph.
• Sunday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. South wind around 10 mph.
• Monday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 102. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Monday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 79.
• Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 103.
• Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78.
• Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 101.
• Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78.
• Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 100.

To avoid falling victim to heat stroke, the Mayo Clinic offers the following tips:

• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. Wearing excess clothing or clothing that fits tightly won't allow your body to cool properly.
• Protect against sunburn. Sunburn affects your body's ability to cool itself, so protect yourself outdoors with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or sweating.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.
• Take extra precautions with certain medications. Be on the lookout for heat-related problems if you take medications that can affect your body's ability to stay hydrated and dissipate heat.
• Never leave anyone in a parked car. This is a common cause of heat-related deaths in children. When parked in the sun, the temperature in your car can rise 20 degrees F (more than 6.7 C) in 10 minutes. It's not safe to leave a person in a parked car in warm or hot weather, even if the windows are cracked or the car is in shade. When your car is parked, keep it locked to prevent a child from getting inside.
• Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you can't avoid strenuous activity in hot weather, drink fluids and rest frequently in a cool spot. Try to schedule exercise or physical labor for cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening.
• Get acclimated. Limit time spent working or exercising in heat until you're conditioned to it. People who are not used to hot weather are especially susceptible to heat-related illness. It can take several weeks for your body to adjust to hot weather.
• Be cautious if you're at increased risk. If you take medications or have a condition that increases your risk of heat-related problems, avoid the heat and act quickly if you notice symptoms of overheating. If you participate in a strenuous sporting event or activity in hot weather, make sure there are medical services available in case of a heat emergency.