All coastal counties are forecast to reach high heat levels this week.
Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington counties are expected to experience on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday a maximum heat index of 96 degrees or hotter.
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The heat index, also called the apparent temperature, is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature, per the National Weather Service.
The North Carolina Health and Human Services Climate and Health Program issued the heat-health alerts on Monday, warning that high heat can be dangerous for people who are more exposed to or more sensitive to extreme heat, such as those who are pregnant, living with disabilities or underlying health conditions, are without access to air conditioning, who work or exercise outdoors, or are older adults.
To prevent heat-related illness, the health department recommends drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding caffeinated, sugary or alcoholic drinks, staying in air conditioning as much as possible, stay informed and watch for symptoms, which include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, and headache, the department continued.
The alerts are issued when the forecast is projected to reach or exceed the heat index threshold for the regions, as established by Duke Heat Policy Innovation Hub using historical heat index data and state records to determine when emergency room visits increased for heat-related illnesses.
Visit the state Department of Public Health, Epidemiology: Occupational and Environmental website to sign up for the heat alerts and more information on heat-related illnesses.
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