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Killer Heat: Utah Residents are Suffering from Rising Temperatures

man putting up AC unit

The effects of global warming are hitting Utah hard, causing its residents to suffer. Weather forecasts are telling Utahns to brace themselves for “killer” heat waves as temperatures jump into triple digits in certain areas in the state.

Washington County, specifically, only experiences a heat index in the triple digits one day per year. But recent reports show that the county climbed over 100 degrees four times already in this month alone.

The extreme temperature has caused wide-ranging issues throughout the state.

Red Flag Warning

The hot weather has created potential fire conditions, forcing the National Weather Service of Salt Lake City to raise a red flag warning in entire Western Utah. This warning signifies that critical fire weather conditions are imminent due to a mix of dry fuel, lightning, and powerful winds.

Dry thunderstorms are also developing, increasing the risk of wildfires. In Salt Lake City alone, two wildfires have occurred on July 22. Firefighters who responded to the situation reported that as the temperature rises, putting out fires also becomes increasingly difficult and uncomfortable for them. They expose themselves to extreme temperatures while wearing suits that keep the heat in as well. So the Salt Lake City Fire Department dedicated a station in the University of Utah where the marshals can hydrate and cool off before returning to the blaze.

The Fire Department also reminds residents to stay hydrated, wear appropriate clothing, and stay in the comfort of their homes if possible.

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

But residents are having trouble doing the latter, too. Calls for AC repair in Utah are also increasing as some homeowners encounter problems with their air conditioning. HVAC technicians are working overtime to attend to residents’ concerns, especially now that there’s an extra sense of urgency to get people’s homes out of the heat.

HVAC technicians remind Utahns to get their systems checked before the heat worsens. The high temperature is enough to cause heatstroke or heat exhaustion, and staying in a house without proper AC systems only increases the risk.

A doctor from Intermountain Healthcare says they see more patients coming into the emergency room with signs of heat rash, dehydration, or heat illness whenever the temperature hits 100 degrees.

The symptoms of heat stroke are nausea, fainting, high body temperature, and a rapid pulse. On the other hand, signs of heat exhaustion include cold and clammy skin, heavy sweating, and dizziness and nausea. Members of Red Cross Utah call on anyone who experiences any of the said symptoms to immediately seek medical attention.

Heat-induced Road Damage

The intense heat also damaged roads, which further inconveniences Utah residents. On July 23, a road near Parrish Lane buckled due to the extreme temperatures in Wasatch Front, forcing the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) to close three lanes on northbound I-15.

An hour and a half later, crews temporarily fixed the damage, so all roads reopened. Major repairs for the road were scheduled on July 25, Thursday, but there are no updates of the said permanent fixes.

UDOT Public Information Officer John Gleason said that this road damage is typical of extreme heat, especially for older pavements.

Utah residents prepare for any emergencies during extreme heat conditions like the current one. Refrain from doing any taxing activities in the heat and wear proper clothing and sun protection products. Apart from personal safety measures, check your home for any possible consequences of the temperature, so you can address them immediately.

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