The cities of Jackson and Hattiesburg have tied records for the highest temperature floor in a single day, with the recorded low temperatures yesterday both landing in the high 70s. And at the hottest parts of the day, recent heat index values have reached upwards of 115 degrees. Allie Jasper with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency says residents should avoid the outdoors during these times.
“Well the heat is nothing new in Mississippi, we deal with it every single year, but it does seem to get hotter and hotter every summer,” says Jasper. “So the only thing we can do as a state agency is tell people to prepare for that heat and be aware of it and be sure that they are considering their options for being outside.”
Not everyone has access to cool areas, and Jasper says it’s important to check on elderly neighbors and outdoor pets to ensure they are well hydrated and have access to air conditioning. Some cities have cooling shelters where people can go to get out of the heat. But if someone does have to be outdoors for an extended period of time, Jasper says hydration is essential to avoid heat exhaustion or the more severe illness heat stroke.
“Well you are supposed to drink about an ounce of water per body weight, that is for every person every day, and if you’re outside and sweating that out you would at least double it,” says Jasper. “So just to be on the safe side, I would say a gallon or more per day if you’re working outside just to make sure that you’re adequately hydrated.”
Heat exhaustion can happen suddenly or over several days and it’s important to treat the illness quickly. Common signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion include dizziness, headaches, profuse or lack of sweating and confusion.
