Nebraska DHHS warns residents about dangerous heat in the coming weeks

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is asking the public to prepare for dangerous heat over the summer.

In a press release issued Friday morning, DHHS said that temperatures in Nebraska can get up into the 100s from June until even September.

The press release provided tips for staying safe and cool like staying inside, wearing light and loose fitting clothes, limit outdoor activities, and hydrate if you do have to go outside.

The release also had warnings, like not to leave children or pets inside the car during the heat, and to make sure that pets were hydrated during hot days as well.

Anyone who has to work outside should use the buddy system where you check on a co-worker and a co-worker checks on you in order to make sure that everyone is safe.

The release also had important information on terms that meteorologists might use during heat, and what they mean.

• Heat Index: is a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to the air temperature.
• Excessive Heat Outlooks: Issued when the potential exists for an excessive heat event in the next 3-7 days.
• Excessive Heat Watches: Issued when conditions are favorable for excessive heat in the next 24 to 72 hours.
• Excessive Heat Warning/Advisories: Issued when excessive heat is expected in the next 24 hours.

To help the public identify if temperatures over seven days could harm human health, the National Weather Services recently released the ‘HeatRisk Dashboard’ available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/.

You can learn more about extreme heat and how to protect yourself and your loved ones this summer at https://www.cdc.gov/extreme-heat/about/index.html.

Click here to subscribe to our KSNB Local4 daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Copyright 2024 KSNB. All rights reserved.