Lewis County had a much-needed reprieve from the heat this week, but with high temperatures back in the weather forecast through the weekend, health advisers encourage residents to do what they can to stay cool and hydrated.
As of Friday morning, the National Weather Service’s Seattle office was forecasting that temperatures will hit 88 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday and plateau in the low 90s Sunday and Monday before dropping into the 80s for the rest of the week.
“The duration of the heat should be MUCH LOWER than the last, and there should be cooler temperatures at night,” Lewis County Emergency Management wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday.
“Now is the time to get ready for another round of heat!”
Of the 749 patients that went to Providence Centralia Hospital’s emergency room during the July 24-31 heat wave, seven said their chief complaint — the primary reason why they were at the emergency room — was sunburn, six said heat exposure and three said dehydration.
Anecdotally, Providence staff reported that many patients experienced heat-related symptoms such as nausea and dizziness during the heat wave, “but it wasn’t diagnosed as the chief complaint,” said Providence spokesman Chris Thomas.
Young children and the elderly are the most at risk for heat-related illness, according to Thomas.
“Anything folks can do to try and stay cool and stay hydrated is important,” Thomas said.
He also encouraged people to check in on their neighbors, particularly those without air conditioning, this weekend.
The Salvation Army at 303 N. Gold St. in Centralia will serve as a cooling station from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
More cooling shelters may open over the weekend, according to Lewis County Emergency Management, which maintains an updated list of Lewis County cooling shelters on its website, https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/emergency-management/.
The website also has tips on how to protect people and pets from the heat.
