Heat Wave Rocks Golden Valley

Golden Valley residents packed up and hit the road in search of anyplace that offered a break from the heat. As temperature hover in the upper 90s, Tammy Grevel and her two sons spent the day at Wirth Beach.

“We have a little pool at the house, but it just wasn’t cutting it,” Grevel said. “We thought we would try the beach for a bit.”

Grevel, who packed a cooler full of water and several bottles of sunblock, says she wouldn’t mind a break from the heat.

“I try not to complain about the hot temperatures because summer is so short here, but having a string of days that are this hot is a bit much,” she said.

It looks like the string of hot weather will continue. Hennepin County is currently under an extreme heat warning, which will remain in effect through Thursday night. The National Weather Service says temperatures won’t sink below 90 until Saturday, when it’s likely to hit 86 degrees.

Minnesotans aren’t the only ones feeling the heat. According to NOAA's National Weather Service, approximately 132 million people in the United States are under a heat alert. Temperatures in the 90s to near 100 degrees feel as hot as 115 degrees or higher when factoring in the high humidity. NOAA says more than 1000 records that have been set or tied so far this month.

While some people flocked to libraries or movie theaters just to cool down, others were trying to cool down their home. in Golden Valley stocked 20 air conditioners on the shelves this afternoon and expected them to be gone within hours.

As the heat wave continues, the Minnesota Department of Health reminds everyone of tips to deal with the heat:

• Drink more fluids than usual – but avoid fluids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar. Check with your doctor if you have been advised to limit your intake of fluids or placed on diuretics (“water pills”). 
• Stay indoors – in an air-conditioned location, if possible. If your home is not air-conditioned, spending a few hours a day in an air-conditioned public place like a public library or shopping mall will help your body cope with the heat.
• Don’t rely on electric fans. Electric fans will not prevent heat-related illnesses when the temperature reaches the high 90s and above.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Never leave people, children – or animals – in a closed, parked vehicle, even with the windows open.
• Check regularly on people who may be at higher risk of heat-related illness – infants and young children, people over 65, people with mental illness, and people with chronic health problems like heart disease or high blood pressure.
• If you must spend time outdoors, try to limit your activity to the cooler hours of the day, in the morning and evening. Try to take rest breaks in shady areas and drink plenty of water.
• Limit physical exercise. Again, when you do exercise, be sure to take in plenty of fluids.
• Taking a cool bath or shower can be an effective way to cool off.
• When you’re outdoors, wear hats and use sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.

How are you dealing with the heat wave? Are you running through sprinklers? Eating ice cream? Staying indoors? Tell us in the comment section below.