Excessive Heat Warning Issued - July 17-20, 2019

The National Weather Service in St. Louis has issued and Excessive Heat Warning for the City of St. Louis. The Warning will be in effect from 1pm Wednesday, July 17 through 8 pm Saturday, July 20. The Excessive Heat Watch is no longer in effect.

Heat index values are expected to reach as high as 113 degrees due to high temperatures in the upper 90s and dew points in the lower 70s.

An Excessive Heat Warning means that a prolonged period of dangerously hot temperatures and high humidity will occur. In addition, nighttime conditions will remain warm and muggy providing little chance for relief.

The predicted dangerously high temperatures and humidity could quickly cause heat stress or heat stroke if precautions are not taken. The very young, the elderly, those with air conditioning, and those participating in strenuous outdoor activities will be most susceptible. Also, car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

Heat-Related Health and Safety Tips for People:

• Avoid poorly ventilated areas and prolonged work in the sun.
• Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to the early morning or evening
• Keep plenty of fluids on hand and try to stay inside, or take frequent breaks in an air conditioned environment.
• Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Wear light weight, loose fitting clothing.
• Never leave children unattended in a vehicle. Check the backseat before exiting. During extreme heat vehicle temperatures can reach lethal levels in a matter of minutes.
• Routinely check on family members, neighbors, elderly, chronically ill, and friends. If they have air conditioning available encourage them to use it.
• Replace salt and minerals: heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
• If you are on a low-salt diet, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.

Heat-Related Health and Safety Tips for Pets:

• In extreme heat, it is important that pets are in an air conditioned environment.
• Never leave pets alone in a vehicle. If you see a pet in an unattended vehicle call 911.
• Watch for coolant leaking from your vehicle. A pet drinking just a small amount can cause death.
• Do not force your animal to exercise after a meal in hot, humid weather. Limit exercise to the early morning or evening hours.
• Never leave your pet standing on asphalt surfaces, as they can burn their paws.

Heat-related Services available for residents:

• Cooldownstlouis.org is helping area seniors and the physically disabled with their airconditioning (while supplies lasts) and utilities. Area low-to-moderate income households may also apply for utility assistance only, at CoolDownStlouis.org. There's a Senior only automated hotline at 314-241-7668.
• For information of cooling sites, contact the United Way of Greater St. Louis Information Referral Line at 1-800427-4626 or if calling from a land line phone, dial 2-1-1.
• For help with a serious heat related illness, call 911.
• Immediately report animals in distress to the City of St. Louis Citizens’ Service Bureau by calling 314-622-4800, reporting online at www.stlouis-mo.gov/csb or by tweeting to @stlcsb. You can also contact Stray Rescue of St. Louis at 314-771- 6121 ext 255.
• Additional tips on child safety and child injury prevention can be found at http://www.safekids.org/safetytips/field_risks/heatstroke.
• Additional tips on safety related to extreme heat can be found on the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/.