City Initiates Phase 1 of Heat Emergency Plan

The following advisory was issued by the City of Austin today:

In response to a National Weather Service Heat Advisory for the Austin area, the City of Austin today activated its Special Operations Plan for Heat Emergencies which includes monitoring weather effects and increased public awareness outreach.

The heat advisory for all of South Central Texas and the Hill Country is from noon today until 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5.

The City has initiated Phase 1 of its plan which focuses on monitoring at-risk populations for increased risk of heat-related illness. When the plan was activated, there were no marked increases in heat-related illness and/or injury reported at local hospitals or through emergency medical services calls.

Residents are encouraged to do the following to cope with the extreme heat:

  • Stay cool – Keep your body temperature cool. Stay in air conditioning as much as possible. Wear light-weight clothing and take cool showers and baths. Check on those most vulnerable twice a day.
  • Stay hydrated – Because your body loses fluids through sweat, you can become dehydrated during extreme heat. Drink more water than usual, especially if you are working or exercising outside. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.
  • Stay informed – Stay updated on local weather and watch for extreme heat alerts and tips. Learn the symptoms of heat illness at www.cdc.gov/nceh/extremeheat/warning.html. Learn more about extreme heat from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp

Many Austin residents will utilize fans to keep cool during the extreme heat. For more information on how to effectively use fans, visit www.austintexas.gov/health. The City’s heat plan has two phases. If there is a need to activate Phase 2, the City will notify local media and post updates on the City website at www.austintexas.gov.

City Initiates Phase 1 of Heat Emergency Plan