The Montgomery County Commissioners have declared a "Code Red" hot weather warning for Saturday, as county health officials expect an oppressively hot air mass to generate a heat index of 100 degrees or greater in the region.
“We urge all of our residents, especially those most at risk, to please take steps to minimize the effects of the heat," said Josh Shapiro, chair of the Montgomery County Commissioners. "It is critical that the rest of us check on the elderly and others at risk during this hot weather."
The alert in scheduled to be in effect from 12 noon to 8 pm Saturday, unless extended by the commissioners.
Temperatures are expected to reach 90 degrees by 11 a.m., and could reach 100 by around 1 p.m., a Weather.com forecast shows.
According to a release issued by the county, heat conditions have been associated with excess mortality, heat-related stress and exhaustion. Very young children, elderly adults, and people with chronic medical conditions or taking certain medications are most at risk.
Residents are urged to checks on at-risk relatives or neighbors, and to drink plenty of water, wear light-colored clothing, and stay inside air-conditioned buildings whenever possible.
The Montgomery County Human Services Center at Fornace and DeKalb Streets, Norristown, will function as a cooling site to residents who cannot access sites such as malls or libraries.
Homeless residents can escape the heat at the Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center (CHOC) on the Norristown State Hospital Grounds (610-292-9244), or the Norristown Salvation Army (610-275-4183). The Pottstown Salvation Army will also have water available for homeless residents.
For general heat exhaustion and stoke information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. For additional heat-related information, click here.
