THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 18, 1995 TAG: 9507180305
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
The late president Harry S. Truman once said: ``If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.''
For the past few days, it appears Hampton Roads' residents have been heeding his advice.
Unlike other areas in the country, where the heat has killed people, emergency officials and hospitals said residents appear to be staying cool and avoiding trips to the emergency rooms.
Maj. Michael E. New, a Chesapeake Emergency Medical Services official, said he expected dozens of heat-related calls because of the stifling temperatures. He was surprised.
``I expected it, and we ended (up) not having them. I guess maybe people are being smart and staying inside,'' New said. ``That's not to say that won't change tomorrow.''
New could be right. The ovenlike conditions may remain in place for the next few days. Forecasters are calling for partly sunny skies, with temperatures in the 90s and chances each day of isolated thunderstorms.
Chances of being a victim of the heat increased sharply on Saturday as the heat index, a combination of the heat and humidity that indicates how hot it feels, gave the record 100-degree temperature a 115-degree punch.
Deborah Myers, a spokeswoman for Sentara Health System, said Sentara Norfolk General Hospital had only a few cases of heat exhaustion during the weekend.
It was the same at Virginia Beach General, said DeeDee Becker, a hospital spokeswoman.
In Portsmouth, emergency officials said heat-related calls have increased slightly.
Richard Perrine, that city's emergency medical services manager, said Portsmouth averages about 30 EMS calls a day. About two or three of those have been heat related in recent days.
``They're way up. . . because of the heat index being so high,'' he said. ``Not only the heat-related injuries, but also exacerbations of other illnesses compounded by the heat.''
Dizziness, nausea, excessive sweating, high body temperatures and headaches are just some of the red flags of heat exhaustion, he said.
Heatstroke, a more serious problem, is signaled by hot and dry skin, sweating that has stopped, muscle spasms in the limbs, a vacant stare and dilated pupils. Victims also may collapse and appear disoriented. The kidneys, heart, liver and brain can be affected.
People who are calling emergency medical services mainly have been suffering from heat exhaustion, punctuated by dehydration, said Dr. Richard Craven, operational medical director for Virginia Beach's emergency medical services.
``Most commonly it's people working outside and they get dehydrated and overheated,'' Craven said. ``The other thing we often see are tourists who aren't used to this climate.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN
Bruce Williams, with son Hayden, walks out of Nauticus
and into Monday's blazing heat in downtown Norfolk.
by CNB