NWS Issues Heat Advisory for Northeast Georgia, Upstate Until 8p

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a heat advisory for all of Northeast Georgia and the Upstate.

They say that a slight increase in humidity may push the apparent temperature into the 100 to 105 range in the afternoon in some locations.

With record-breaking temperatures predicted for today and tomorrow District 2 Public Health Department is again asking everyone to ensure the safety and well-being of all community members.

District 2 Spokeswoman Natasha Young said North Georgia residents are urged to take precautions to protect their health during periods of extreme heat.

Heat-related illnesses pose a significant threat to public health, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, individuals with chronic illnesses, and those with limited access to cooling resources.

Dr. Morgan Wood is an Emergency Medicine Specialist at St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital.

He says being out in the sun too long can cause you to run the risk of becoming dangerously overheated.

“Well, it’s very easy to get heat exhaustion. That’s the first step when you get overheated, Usually, people will have headaches, nausea, profuse sweating, and weakness. That’s the warning sign that if you don’t do something you’re going to proceed to heatstroke,” said Wood. “One of the most important things people need to know is to acclimate yourself to the heat, taking short periods in the heat and then progressing to longer periods as your body allows you to. Or do things either early in the morning or later in the day, like early evenings,” he said.

Dr. Wood said one of the most important things that people need to do if you work outside or plan to be outside for a long period of time, is to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks.

And the best thing to drink is water or power drinks such as Gatorade or Powerade.

“The ones to avoid are alcohol and caffeine, like energy drinks that contain caffeine, iced coffee, Coca-Cola, and things like that. The ones you want to have are drinks like Gatorade, and PowerAde which are better. If you don’t have those then just plain water will do,” Wood said.

Both older people 65 and up as well as children need to avoid staying out too long in the summertime heat because those two age groups, according to Dr. Wood, are more susceptible to becoming overheated.

The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta recommends staying in air conditioning as much as you can during times of extreme heat and if you don’t have air conditioning at home contact your local health department to help locate an air-conditioned shelter in your area.

Today and tomorrow it’s also important to check on vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly, young children, and those with chronic medical conditions as well as those without access to air conditioning to make sure are staying cool and hydrated.

And never leave people or pets in vehicles during the hot summer months as temperatures inside vehicles can quickly reach dangerous levels even with the windows cracked open.

Dr. Wood added that if you experience heat exhaustion or heat stroke and have recovered it’s a good idea to not go back out in the heat the next day, but give yourself a couple of days to rest first.