Heat dome keeps Mississippi muggy over Fourth of July weekend

A high-pressure heat dome will make the Fourth of July weekend muggy across Mississippi, the National Weather Service warned, with temperatures in the mid-90s and heat indices topping 110 degrees in some areas.

Mississippi Today reported that outdoor workers in Jackson have altered routines to cope with the heat. Chad Kincaid, who works on a road crew, told Mississippi Today he is taking more breaks, keeping cool drinks on hand and seeking shade. Crew members said they have begun arriving at job sites at 4 a.m. to finish 10-hour shifts before temperatures rise, Mississippi Today reported.

Jake Johnson, another crew member quoted by Mississippi Today, said he trains year-round to be ready for hazardous conditions. “This is a strenuous job,” he said. “You pretty much want to keep yourself up so that way, when you get to this point of the year, you are really conditioned to handle circumstances that come with this.”

Some communities have opened cooling centers. Mississippi Today reported that Laurel’s Salvation Army will open a cooling center for the weekend. The Bolivar County Transportation Agency and the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi partnered with content creator Pam Chatman to host a “Beat the Heat” event offering a cooling center and supplies, Mississippi Today said.

The Journal of the American Medical Association estimated about 2,300 Americans died from heat-related illness in 2023, the article said. Mississippi Today also reported that nine children across the U.S. have died of heatstroke in cars this year. Jim Pollard, public affairs manager for American Medical Response, told Mississippi Today that children and older adults are especially at risk. Pollard urged people to stay hydrated, wear loose, lightweight clothing and avoid high-energy activity during the hottest part of the day, and to move to a cooler area and call 911 if heat-exhaustion symptoms occur.

Source: Original Article