August 4, 2010:
ATTENTION: MEDIA, OEM, RED CROSS, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENTS, SCHOOL OFFICIALS, OTHERS
Good morning everyone.
I encourage everyone to share and forward this email
Emergency management officials/others - I encourage you to contact your local television and radio stations this morning and ask them to continue to urge area residents to use caution in this heat and check on elderly residents.
You will rarely ever see a map like this from our local NWS Office in Paducah, KY - other surrounding offices, as well
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pah/
All offices
http://www.weather.gov/organization.php#maps
I am going to keep this short and brief - your help is needed.
This is a dangerous heat wave. Heat index readings yesterday in our region and surrounding areas reached between 110 and 125+ degrees. There were even some unconfirmed reports of heat index values of 130 degrees. This is considered extremely dangerous.
The heat will continue today and tomorrow. Slightly lower temperatures are expected Friday into Saturday - lower dew points, as well. The heat is forecast to return on Sunday and continue into next week.
Our local National Weather Service Office and other local emergency officials are urging everyone to check on elderly residents who might be afraid of using their air condition due to high electric bills, make sure they have fans and are using them to kelp move air around in their homes, or who might not be aware of the dangers of this intense heat wave.
Also - it is known that elderly residents are not always aware that they are overheating. See more information on the link below for heat related illnesses. Don't assume that someone is okay - if someone that you know comes to mind - that you might be concerned about in this heat - then that is good enough reason to check on them.
In 1995 the Chicago Heat Wave killed an estimate 700 people - mostly elderly residents and those who were shut in.
It is not often that I urge my readers to take action based on a heat wave. However, myself and others in the emergency community are asking for your assistance in making sure that all of our area residents reach out to their neighbors, shut ins, and others in order to make sure that we make it safely through today's heat and the coming heat over the next few weeks.
This has been a long - hot summer. It will likely rank in the top 5 warmest summers in Paducah's history. We still have a few weeks of summer left and the numbers will have to be crunched. Regardless, it is hot.
Some heat wave safety rules and additional information from the NWS
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=pah&storyid=54769&source=0
Also we don't want to forget about outdoor pets. Animals also are impacted by the heat. Changing their water bowls several times a day and making sure they have shade is important. Several people have already contacted me concerning dogs that have died in the heat.
If you know anyone who would like to be added to my email list then have them send me an email at
beaudodson@usawx.com
I can also be found on Facebook and Twitter under Beau Dodson
There will once again be a few storms around the region today. Some of them could be locally heavy or severe - most people will not see rain.
Thank you
Meteorologist Beau Dodson
McCracken County Office of Emergency Management
Meteorology Advisor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
http://www.weatherobservatory.com/
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