Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 16, 1995 TAG: 9507170100
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SHEBA WHEELER STAFF WRITER NOTE: Above
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Western Virginians were wise to stay out of the heat Saturday, as sweat-wrenching temperatures soared well into the 90s.
In Roanoke, the National Weather Service said the temperature hit 97 degrees at 4 p.m., tying a record for the date set in 1988. The heat index reached 105, prompting the weather service to place the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas under a heat advisory.
Four people were treated at Roanoke Memorial and Lewis-Gale hospitals for heat-related illnesses.
The heat index calculates the effect of humidity with the air temperature. So when the weather broadcasters were saying the temperature was well over 90 degrees, people probably were wiping their heads in disagreement because it felt more like 105.
The heat index Saturday ranged from 107 degrees in Hot Springs to 124 at Quantico. Other heat indexes included 122 at Dulles International Airport, 121 in Richmond, 120 at the Norfolk Naval Air Station and 119 in Charlottesville.
Elizabeth Blankemeyer of Roanoke was shocked when a zealous yard-sale shopper asked her how much her heavy winter mittens cost.
"We've been able to sell quite a few things, because it's really nice being able to sit under this big shade tree," Blankemeyer said. "But the weirdest thing we sold today were these thick mittens. I couldn't believe anyone would try to buy those things in this weather. But they tried them on and decided to buy them."
Blankemeyer collected more than $600 at the yard sale at her home on Sherwood Avenue., where she . People would drive up with the air conditioner going full blast.
"We'd offer them ice water, but people didn't seem interested," said Ellen Verrier, who was helping with the yard sale. "They'd just get their stuff and leave."
A gentle breeze offered brief respites for a few brave souls who ambled along the Roanoke City Market. But most people seemed to be hiding out in their homes or in public air-conditioned places such as restaurants and movie theaters as temperatures rose to the 80s well before noon.
"For the last couple of days, we've noticed that less people have been coming out to eat," said Roger Thornton, general manager of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar at Valley View Mall. "People probably just don't want to get out in this heat, but once they come inside, they seem to order more drinks and want to stay longer for the air conditioning."
Roanoke Valley health care officials continued to emphasize the need for people to stay out of the heat. Doctors kept a close watch over Commonwealth Games participants and beefed up their efforts to ensure the athletes had plenty of water and ice available. Dr. John Heil, director of sports medicine at the Games in Roanoke, said there were some heat injuries, but no one was seriously hurt.
"There must be 100 ways to stay cool around here," Heil said. "People have been taking showers between basketball games and getting sprayed with water, while others place cool, wet towels over their heads to keep their temperatures down. We've encouraged everyone to be careful. Most of them seemed to be prepared for the weather."
Heat advisories are issued in areas where the heat index is expected to reach between 105 and 115 degrees, said Jim Wiesmueller of the National Weather Service in Sterling. When the index passes 115, an excessive-heat warning is issued. Such high temperatures can bring on life-threatening illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Residents are advised to drink plenty of water, limit their activity and alcohol intake and wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. They also should give their pets as much water and shade as possible.
"People should try to seek out the usual escape places like swimming pools and air-conditioned buildings to beat the heat," Wiesmueller said. "At-risk individuals such as elderly people and children should be careful, because their bodies cannot adapt to the heat as well."
Thunderstorms predicted for the next few days may cool things off a bit, but forecasters still expected temperatures in the mid-90s and heat indexes ranging from 100 to 105.
The Associated Press contributed information to this story.
by CNB