Bob Strickley

PDT Staff Writer

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Scioto, Pike and Adams Counties in Ohio as well as Lewis County in Kentucky.

The advisory will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday. The heat index values have the possibility of reaching 105 degrees due to temperatures in the upper 90s and dew points in the upper 60s.

The National Weather Service warns that peak heat index values will be reached during the afternoon and early evening hours and urges people to take extra precautions if time is to be spent outside.

Earlier this week, Scioto County Health Commissioner Dr. Aaron Adams spoke to the Daily Times about potential health concerns that arise during stretches of extremely warm weather.

“What we must consider when we have a heat advisory of 100 or higher, we need to protect ourselves from the heat as much as possible. It’s easy to become dehydrated, or become sun burned. If you have chronic health conditions you run a risk of aggravating those conditions. Whether they are pulmonary, or cancer, or diabetes, or heart disease or other conditions that can lead to complications of stroke,” Adams said.

Wednesday morning, AEP Ohio released a statement detailing the continuing electricity restoration process, noting approximately 70 percent of the 660,000 Ohio customers that lost power due to Friday’s storms have seen their power return.

As of 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, 3,358 AEP customers in Scioto County were still without power while 1,140 customers in Pike County remained without power. In Kentucky, 264 customers were still without power in Greenup County.

Executive Director of the Ohio River Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross Mary Arnzen said people needing an escape from the heat should visit the Red Cross office at 1801 Robinson Avenue between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

“If anyone needs to get cooled off in our air conditioning or have some cool drinks they can stop by and we would be glad to help,” Arnzen said.

Arnzen also encouraged area residents to call the local Red Cross office number for additional information at 354-3293.

The Weather Service suggested those living in areas under the heat advisory wear lightweight clothing, reschedule strenuous activities to the early morning or evening hours and drink plenty of water.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments and encourages anyone showing persisting symptoms of heat exhaustion — lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness and shortness of breath — to call 911.

Bob Strickley may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 203, or bstrickley@heartlandpublications.com.