It’s about to be dangerously hot, meteorologists warn.
An excessive heat warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Tallahassee at 1:57 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8.
The National Weather Service Tallahassee warned “dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 115 expected” today.
The warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. CDT or 8 p.m. EDT Thursday evening.
What Florida counties are under excessive heat warning?
The warning includes the following counties:
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Leon County
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North, South and Central Walton County
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Holmes County
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Washington County
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Jackson County
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Inland and coastal Coastal Bay County
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Calhoun County
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Inland and coastal Coastal Gulf County
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Inland and coastal Franklin County
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Gadsden County
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Inland and coastal Jefferson County
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Madison County
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Liberty County
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Inland and coastal Wakulla County
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Inland and coastal Taylor County
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Lafayette County
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Inland and coastal Dixie County
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Seminole County
Impacts expected for counties under excessive heat warning
Concerned authorities issued the following message on what impacts and areas can expect today:
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WHAT: Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 115 degrees expected.
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WHERE: Portions of Big Bend and Panhandle Florida and south central and southwest Georgia.
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WHEN: From 10 a.m. CDT /11 a.m. EDT Thursday morning to 7 p.m. CDT /8 p.m. EDT this evening.
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IMPACTS: Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities..
Weather alerts issued in Florida
How to stay safe. What do meteorologists recommend?
While under an excessive heat warning meteorologists recommend:
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Drink plenty of fluids
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Stay in an air-conditioned room
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Stay out of the sunshine
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Check on relatives and neighbors.
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Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.
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Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
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Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
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Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible.
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To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments.
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Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 911.
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Stay cool, stay hydrated, stay informed.
Heat index and temperature map for Florida
CDC maps heat-related illnesses by state, county
The Heat-Related Illness and Temperature map issued by the Centers for Disease Control shows the rate of emergency department visits associated with heat-related illness per 100,000 emergency visits by region.
➤ Interactive map: See daily and weekly illnesses
Weather radar for Tallahassee, Florida
What is an excessive heat warning and excessive heat watch?
The National Weather Service issues several types of heat-related advisories, including:
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Excessive heat warning: An excessive heat warning is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. If you don’t take precautions immediately when conditions are extreme, you may become seriously ill or even die.
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Excessive heat watch: Heat watches are issued when conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 24 to 72 hours. A watch is used when the risk of a heat wave has increased but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain.
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Excessive heat outlooks: The outlooks are issued when the potential exists for an excessive heat event in the next three to seven days. An outlook provides information to those who need considerable time to prepare for the event.
What is a heat advisory and how is it different from an excessive heat warning?
A heat advisory is one of several types of health alerts issued by the National Weather Service. A heat advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions.
In Florida, except for Miami-Dade County, the National Weather Services offices around the state would issue a heat advisory if the heat index is expected to reach 108 to 112 degrees. The National Weather Service Miami said Miami/Dade County wanted a lower threshold for an advisory for its population, which was set at 105 degrees.
If a heat advisory is issued, take precautions to avoid heat illness. If you don’t take precautions, you may become seriously ill or even die.
Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion: How to tell the difference
When your body can’t cool itself, your body temperature rises. If it goes too high, it can be life-threatening.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided a list of warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illnessesand what you should do.
Heat cramps
Heat cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness, and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.
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Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in legs and abdomen and heavy sweating.
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First aid: Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving water.
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Seek immediate medical attention if cramps last longer than 1 hour.
Heat exhaustion
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Symptoms: Heavy sweating, Weakness or tiredness, cool, pale, clammy skin; fast, weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache, fainting,
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First aid: Move person to a cooler environment, preferably a well-air-conditioned room. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths or have person sit in a cool bath. Offer sips of water. If person vomits more than once seek immediate medical attention if the person vomits, symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour.
Heatstroke
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Symptoms: Throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperature above 103°F, hot, red, dry or damp skin, rapid and strong pulse, fainting, loss of consciousness.
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First Aid: Call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal.
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Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment. Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or bath. Use fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s. A fan can make you hotter at higher temperatures.
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Do not give fluids.
This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Heat warning issued for Tallahassee area. How to protect yourself
