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Searing heat brings smog alert for Butler, Warren

Daytime high today expected at 90 degrees as cooling trend begins.

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By Kareem Elgazzar, Staff Writer 12:44 AM Thursday, June 9, 2011

It was a scorcher Wednesday, with the mercury reaching 94 degrees, making it difficult for some to keep cool.

Hamilton and Middletown health officials urged residents to keep cool as the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services issued a smog alert for Butler and Warren counties in addition to areas throughout the region.

The National Weather Service set the official high at 94 degrees, but the heat index pushed triple digits, putting a strain on those who work outside for a living.

The heat index is a measurement combining air temperature and relative humidity in an attempt to determine the human-perceived equivalent temperature, according to the NWS.

“It’s hot in the summer, cold in the winter,” said construction worker Marvin Jones, 52, of Hamilton, who was working on Village Street road repairs Wednesday for a typical 10-hour shift. “It’s either too wet, too dry, too cold; and when it’s perfect outside, we don’t want to be here (working).”

Angela Tullis works inside, but on an assembly line at a Springboro manufacturing business with no air-conditioning. It was slightly hotter in her workplace Wednesday than it was outside.

So after work, Tullis brought her boyfriend’s daughter, Savannah Puckett, 4, to the splash pad at Middletown’s Smith Park, where every parking space near the water area was taken. “This is a great place when it’s this hot,” she said.

Wednesday’s high temperature was about 10 to 15 degrees higher than normal for this time of year, according to meteorologist Mike Kurz of the NWS.

However, temperatures will be slightly cooler with a daytime high today expected to top out at 90 degrees as part of a cooling trend for the remainder of the week, he said.

Still, Hamilton Health Department Nursing Administrator Kay Farrar said it’s important to maintain a watchful eye on elderly neighbors and relatives when it’s blazing hot outside.

“Elderly are always a concern because they’re oftentimes afraid to open their windows — it acts as a cooker in their house,” Farrar said. “They are trying to conserve and it’s a shame when they have the means to stay cool and don’t use it.”

Farrar said those working outside should drink at least 8 ounces of water per hour, even if they don’t feel thirsty.

To stay safe, avoid strenuous activity in the afternoon when temperatures are their highest, wear light-colored, lightweight clothing. Also, make sure pets have plenty of water, said Middletown Health Commissioner Jackie Phillips.

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iter Rick McCrabb contributed to this report