This weather alert should be taken seriously

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Living in this region of the country, we are usually spared extremes in weather conditions. That’s why many of us, myself included, find it so entertaining when we actually get a bit of extreme weather and it’s greeted with an apocalyptic response from the news media and others. This is not one of those responses.

For some reason, the cold doesn’t scare me. I guess I’ve never really experienced cold enough conditions without adequate heat that created an indelible image that will forever be embedded in my mind. But, heat is a different story. Heat scares the heck out of me.

That’s why when I received a precautionary press release from Clark County Public Health officials, I didn’t make fun of it like I do when Portland television stations break into regular programming for around-the-clock coverage of the first snowfall or patch of glistening ice of the winter.

As I write this on Friday, temperatures were expected to top 100 degrees over the weekend and the forecast for the foreseeable future includes nothing but warm days. I know it’s nothing like what our friends in other parts of the country and world experience, but it’s worth taking note of.

Public Health and emergency management officials urge residents to protect themselves from heat during the aforementioned forecasted hot spell, when regional temperatures are predicted to hit 100 degrees and remain hot for the next week.

“Heat-related problems are preventable,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Health officer. “We are encouraging people to avoid or limit physical activity outdoors, take shelter in air-conditioned buildings, and drink plenty of fluids. Elderly people and the very young are especially vulnerable during periods of intense or prolonged heat.”

We’ve heard how quickly and how easily a horror story can develop as a result of a child or an animal left in a car, for even a short period of time, or an elderly person left unattended in a home without air conditioning.

Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) has contacted community partners to set up cooling centers. The city of Battle Ground has responded by making the Battle Ground Community Center, located at 912 E. Main St., available as a cooling center to area residents this week. The center will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. this week through Thu., July 2. It will be closed on Friday because the city is observing the Fourth of July holiday on that day and will have no staff available.

The city encourages those who use visit the Community Center to bring picnic meals, water, books, board games and activities for the children. WiFi will be available for visitors to use their own mobile devices.

“As CRESA gets more information about cooling stations, we will post it on our blog at www.cresa911.blogspot.com,” said Scott Johnson, Emergency Management Division manager.

Clark County Public Health also offers the following tips can help prevent heat-related problems:

• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. If your doctor limits the amount of fluid you drink, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.

• Limit intake of drinks with caffeine, alcohol or lots of sugar. These can cause more body fluid loss.

• Stay indoors, in an air-conditioned location, if possible. If your home is not air-conditioned, go to the mall, a movie or the library for a few hours. This can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.

• NEVER leave anyone, especially young children, in a closed, parked vehicle. This also applies to pets.



• Fans provide comfort, but will not prevent heat-related illness. Cool off by taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place.

• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.

If you must be out in the heat:

• Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.

• If you work outdoors, check on your co-workers and drink lots of water, even if you aren’t thirsty.

• Cut down on exercise. Avoid the midday hours and drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace salt and minerals lost in sweat.

• Rest often in shady areas.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and put on sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.

Clark County Public Health officials also remind us that anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, but some people are at greater risk than others. Regularly check on infants and young children, people 65 or older and those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure. Visit at-risk adults at least twice a day and look for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children need more frequent attention.

Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Warning signs of heat stroke include: body temperature above 103°F; red, hot and dry skin (no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; nausea; dizziness; confusion; loss of consciousness.

If you see any of these signs, call for immediate medical assistance and begin cooling the victim. Place the victim in a tub of cool water or cool shower, or spray the person with cool water from a garden hose. Do not give the person fluids to drink.

Less severe heat related illnesses include heat exhaustion and heat cramps. Signs are heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, headache and vomiting. Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last more than an hour.

Be safe my friends.

Ken Vance

Editor