People in the Baltimore region are feeling the heat of impending electric bills and an unforgiving forecast as the National Weather Service extends the heat advisory until 8 tonight.
The sweltering temperatures and humidity could cause the heat index to reach 105 degrees this afternoon, heightening the risk of heat-related illnesses, according to the weather service.
The heat wave that began this weekend has forced residents to turn on their air conditioning, but the concern for costly electricity bills had many forfeiting comfort.
“The cost is outrageous, and it?s making people very upset,” said Rose Jubb, 57, of Bel Air, who braved temperatures in the upper 90s at the annual St. Anthony?s street festival in Little Italy.
“We?re just waiting for BGE to realize what they?re doing to people and remember who made them what they are.”
Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. spokeswoman Linda Foy said usage typically spikes between 3 and 6 p.m., because the temperature is highest between 3 and 4 p.m., just before people arrive home from work and turn on the air conditioning between 5 and 6 p.m.
“Typically when you have a few days of hot weather, it does not drastically change your bill,” Foy said, though she could not provide an average bill until the month?s cycle is complete.
“We?re just going to tough it out; it?s going to cost what it?s going to cost,” said Bill Gardner, 46, of Locust Point, who took shelter in the shade of a tent at the Italian festival.
Gardner said his house is well-insulated and equipped with Energy Star amenities that help keep the electric bill down.
Rick Pazourek, 45, of Perry Hall, said he?s monitoring his bill by keeping the thermostat up until nighttime, so his family can sleep comfortably.
When temperatures are too hot, Pazourek said, he retreatsto the basement, where the temperature is lowest.
Along with the heat, the Maryland Department of the Environment warned of poor air quality expected to remain at unhealthy pollution levels through Tuesday for sensitive groups such as children and those with breathing or heart conditions.
Some regional hospitals saw a jump in heat-related illnesses, including St. Joseph Medical Center, where Dr. Kit Lorentz said he had treated about five participants in the Special Olympics at Towson University in the past 24 hours.
Lorentz said just under a dozen patients total may have been treated for heat-related illnesses.
“You have mental, neurological symptoms. Confusion, trouble seeing, troubling thinking. That?s a true medical emergency. They are lethal. Heat can kill you,” Lorentz said, adding that about 400 people die of heat stroke in the United States each year.
Staff Writer Jaime Malarkey contributed to this story.
