By Sunayana Prabhu
The season’s first heat wave has hit the Two River region and the outlook is “dangerously hot” according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The NWS issued a statewide extreme heat advisory impacting the northeast with heat indexes rising from 96 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit from Wednesday, June 19 through the weekend.
The Monmouth County website states that “an excessive heat watch” is in effect from Thursday, June 20, until Sunday, June 23.
Before spring was even over, Shaun LaTourette, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, was urging residents to protect themselves using state resources. “If you and your community are finding yourself vulnerable to extreme heat, if you are in a heat island – an area that has less tree cover that more impervious cover, more asphalt – and the temperatures are heating up higher than in other places, go to Heat Hub NJ,” LaTourette said during the State of the Shore conference May 23.
Heat Hub NJ is a website (heat-hub-new-jersey-njdep.hub.arcgis.com) and mobile app with useful tools and resources for community access and education. The Chill Out NJ section has an interactive map with useful information on finding cooling facilities within any zip code, hydration spots, and necessary medications.
Two River-area towns have taken proactive measures in response to the impending heatwave.
As listed on the Chill Out NJ website, within the 12-mile radius of Red Bank, nearly 24 public libraries, 18 Monmouth County parks, and nine senior centers are prepared to help protect residents from the heat. Middletown Township announced on its website June 12 that cooling stations would be available at two locations, the Middletown Township Public Library and the Tonya Keller Community Center.
Residents are also encouraged to utilize resources such as 211 and local government websites to locate cooling centers in their area during extreme heat events. Cooling stations aim to offer relief and safety to community members vulnerable to heat-related health risks, particularly those without adequate access to air conditioning.
Besides these resilience measures, there are two spraygrounds and splash pads in the area where families can beat the heat, at Dorbrook Recreation Area in Colts Neck and Cross Farm Park in Holmdel.
Residents heading to the beach this weekend are encouraged to watch for area beach advisories as temperatures soar. “Make sure you/your children know how to swim before entering the water, swim when lifeguards are on duty, never swim alone, and avoid rip currents,” Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden cautioned in a recent social media post.
Tips To Beat The Heat
To mitigate the effects of extreme heat, the NWS and local governments’ Office of Emergency Management provide these essential guidelines:
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, and avoid excessive alcohol consumption, which can lead to dehydration.
• Seek cool environments: Spend time in air-conditioned spaces for at least two hours daily.
• Protect against sun exposure: Wear sunscreen when outdoors and avoid prolonged sun exposure.
• Avoid sitting in parked cars: Besides ensuring they are safe and hydrated, it is important to make sure that children, pets and seniors are not left in a car during a heat wave. According to the NWS, the temperature inside a car “can easily reach temperatures in the range of 180 to over 200 degrees” Fahrenheit within minutes and that can be fatal.
• Wear appropriate clothing: Opt for lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to remain cool.
• Modify outdoor activities: Schedule strenuous tasks for cooler parts of the day and take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
• Learn to recognize heat illness symptoms: Be aware of signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, ensuring immediate action if symptoms occur.
Understanding Heat Alerts
The NWS notice also educates residents on various heat-related alerts.
An Excessive Heat Warning is issued within 12 hours of extremely dangerous heat conditions, with specific criteria regarding heat index temperatures and nighttime temperatures.
Excessive Heat Watches warn of potential heatwave conditions in the next 24 to 72 hours.
A Heat Advisory signals dangerous heat conditions imminent within 12 hours, with criteria similar to Excessive Heat Warnings but at slightly lower thresholds.
Excessive Heat Outlooks provide advance notice (three to seven days) of potential excessive heat events to facilitate preparation.
The article originally appeared in the June 20 – June 26, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
