This week’s scorching sun and high humidity are endangering the health of Washington-area residents.
The Maryland Department of Health reported two more heat-related deaths, bringing the total to eight — two more than were reported in all of 2009.
Three people have died of heat-related causes in Virginia this summer, and one in D.C.
And more people are suffering from heat-related illnesses.
Inova Mount Vernon Hospital in Alexandria has seen an uptick in heat-related visits to the emergency room, said Emergency Room Director Michael Shuster.
Heat cramps were the most common ailment. Shuster said he treated one man whose jaw and face muscles were so stiff that he could talk only with his lips.
After record-breaking temperatures Wednesday, the region stayed hot Thursday, reaching 95 degrees. Friday’s forecast is 92 degrees, but humidity could bump up the heat index to 100 degrees.
Temperatures are likely to stay in the 90s throughout the weekend, with the exception of Saturday’s predicted 88-degree high, according to the National Weather Service.
D.C. pools, libraries and senior wellness centers extended hours this week to help residents keep cool.
With the outdoors feeling like a sauna, Washington-area residents are desperate for air conditioning and water, though those have become scarce in some places.
Rockville issued mandatory water restrictions Thursday after a 24-inch pipe burst Wednesday at about 3:30 p.m.
The city is ordering residents to stop all outside water use, such as watering lawns and washing cars, to limit flushing toilets, and to wash only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines. The restrictions will remain in effect until at least noon Saturday.
Power is also less plentiful. The region’s power suppliers are asking customers to limit energy use and relieve pressure on the electric grid by turning their thermostats up to 78 degrees.
Pepco reported a heat-related outage that began Monday and was fixed Thursday, after increased demand and a manhole temperature of 150 degrees combined to burn an underground cable in Northeast D.C.
Trees are also feeling the heat.
“It hasn’t rained for days. They’re suffering just like the rest of us,” District Department of Transportation spokesman John Lisle said.
DDOT is asking residents to water the trees in front of their homes. With about 140,000 street trees in the District, the agency can only afford to water the 3,000 or so newly planted trees.
As for keeping humans healthy, Shuster recommended drinking Gatorade, which has electrolytes, instead of water.
“Don’t run in the middle of the day. You wouldn’t believe how many people are out there running and playing tennis, and you shouldn’t do it. Use some brains.”
