Josephine County, OR

Extreme Heat

RVEM
/ Categories: Know Your Hazards
Extreme Heat 4736

In southern Oregon, summer temperatures can hover in the 90s for weeks at a time. It is not unusual to have numerous days where the temperature reaches over 100 degrees! Whenever possible, avoid prolonged exposure to the heat.

Heat kills by taxing the human body beyond its capabilities. Under normal conditions, the body produces perspiration that evaporates and cools. In extreme heat or high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body has to work harder to cool itself. In a normal year, an average of 175 Americans die from extreme heat. Young children, the elderly and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to become victims.

Understanding Excessive Heat

Excessive heat, often manifested in the form of heatwaves, occurs when temperatures rise significantly above normal levels for a sustained period. This phenomenon is influenced by various factors including climate change, urbanization, and geographical location. Urban areas, with their concrete structures and lack of green spaces, are particularly susceptible to experiencing higher temperatures due to the urban heat island effect. Additionally, climate change has contributed to more frequent and intense heatwaves globally.

Health Risks

The health risks associated with excessive heat cannot be overstated. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Symptoms may include dehydration, dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and confusion. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing health conditions, are particularly at risk.

Coping Strategies

  1. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol, as they can dehydrate you.
  2. Stay Cool: Spend time in air-conditioned buildings such as malls, libraries, or community centers. If you do not have air conditioning at home, consider visiting public places that are cool.
  3. Dress Appropriately: Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing. Avoid dark colors that absorb heat.
  4. Limit Outdoor Activities: If you must be outside, try to do so during the cooler parts of the day, early morning, or late evening. Take frequent breaks in shaded or cool areas.
  5. Check on Vulnerable Individuals: Keep an eye on those who are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses, such as elderly neighbors, young children, and pets.

Community Preparedness

Ensuring community preparedness is essential for minimizing the impact of excessive heat. Local governments and organizations can take proactive measures such as:

  • Heat Emergency Plans: Developing and implementing heat emergency plans that include communication strategies, cooling centers, and outreach programs.

  • Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public about the risks of excessive heat and how to stay safe through various media channels.

  • Infrastructure Improvements: Investing in green spaces, shade structures, and sustainable urban planning to mitigate the urban heat island effect.

Extreme Heat Terms

Heat Wave - Prolonged periods of excessive heat, often combined with excessive humidity.

Heat Index -A number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) that tells how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to the air temperature. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15 degrees.

Heat Cramps - Muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are often the first sign that the body is having trouble with the heat.

Heat Exhaustion - Typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where the body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim's condition will worsen. Body temperature will keep rising and the victim may suffer heat stroke.

Heat Stroke -A life-threatening condition. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Sun Stroke -Another term for heat stroke.

During a Heat Emergency

  • Stay indoors as much as possible and limit sun exposure.
  • Stay on the lowest floor of your home out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.
  • Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings with air conditioning such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls and other community facilities.
  • Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
  • Limit intake of alcoholic beverages - alcohol is a diuretic and causes your body to remove fluids and quickly dehydrate.
  • Dress in loose - fitting, lightweight clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
  • Protect face and head by wearing a widebrimmed hat.
  • Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
  • Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
  • Be sure pets have plenty of water and shelter from the sun.
  • Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks.
TIP: Children, the elderly and pets can be more susceptible to the effects of extreme heat.

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Josephine County
Emergency Management
500 NW 6th Street
Grants Pass, OR 97526
em@josephinecounty.gov
541-474-5300

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Josephine County Emergency Management
3/17/2025
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Josephine County Emergency Management
3/16/2025
21 1
The weekend's excessive rainfall in Southern Oregon has created widespread road-related impacts on county-maintained roads. Nearly all areas of the county road system are being impacted. Known problem areas as of 1:30PM Sunday - Lower River Road @ Hunt Lane is closed due to high water. Gene Brown Road, O'Brien, closed due to high water Pleasant Valley Road, between Merlin Road and Tavis Road, closed due to high water Upper River Road @ Ft Vannoy School, high water 7000-8000 block of North Applegate Road, near Noble Dairy, significant debris across road, proceed with caution. This is NOT an all-inclusive list, as conditions continue to change. Drivers are reminded to limit travel to essential activities and allow themselves extra time to get to their destination. Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in cars swept downstream. Many of these drownings are preventable. Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road. The road may have collapsed under that water. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters. Residents can get information on sandbag suppliers at www.rvem.org/News/sandbags-faq" target="_blank">https://www.rvem.org/News/sandbags-faq For other safety tips www.rvem.org Turn Around Don’t Drown, National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown
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Josephine County Emergency Management
3/16/2025
22 1
The weekend's excessive rainfall in Southern Oregon has created widespread road-related impacts on county-maintained roads. Nearly all areas of the county road system are being impacted. Known problem areas as of 1:30PM Sunday - Lower River Road @ Hunt Lane is closed due to high water. Gene Brown Road, O'Brien, closed due to high water Pleasant Valley Road, between Merlin Road and Tavis Road, closed due to high water Upper River Road @ Ft Vannoy School, high water 7000-8000 block of North Applegate Road, near Noble Dairy, significant debris across road, proceed with caution. This is NOT an all-inclusive list, as conditions continue to change. Drivers are reminded to limit travel to essential activities and allow themselves extra time to get to their destination. Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in cars swept downstream. Many of these drownings are preventable. Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road. The road may have collapsed under that water. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters. Residents can get information on sandbag suppliers at www.rvem.org/News/sandbags-faq" target="_blank">https://www.rvem.org/News/sandbags-faq Other information about floods and safety tips www.rvem.org Turn Around Don’t Drown, National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown
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Josephine County Emergency Management
3/16/2025
4 0
UPDATE: 2/25/25 10:00am: Wayne has been located safely. * Date of Report: 02/24/2025 Case: 25-4214 Name: Wayne David Morris Age: 76 Sex: Male Race: White Height: 5'5" Weight: 180 Hair: Gray Eyes: Blue Information: Wayne was reported missing late Monday night. He was last seen on Vine Street around 3:00pm on 2/24/25. He was driving a gray 2020 Chevrolet Silverado with OR license plate 593MMB. The OnStar app shows the vehicle's last known location to be in the Hog Creek area around 4:30pm later that day. SAR has been activated. Please contact the Josephine County Sheriff's Office with any information. Phone: 541-474-5123
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Josephine County Emergency Management
2/25/2025
15 0
Update 02/03/2025 12:30pm: ODOT: SW Oregon: I-5 NB, MP 66: UPDATE - Crews have cleared stalled trucks in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5, 8 miles north of Grants Pass. Expect continued delays throughout the area due to winter conditions. Avoid travel until conditions improve. Visibility is limited; turn on headlights. Check road conditions at https://tripcheck.com/" target="_blank">https://tripcheck.com/ . More Info ODOT: SW Oregon: I-5 NB, MP 66: Expect delays in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5, 8 miles north of Grants Pass while crews work to clear stalled trucks blocking the road. Visibility is limited. Postpone travel until conditions improve. Do not detour on local or forest roads. Expect delays throughout the area due to winter conditions. Check road conditions at https://tripcheck.com/" target="_blank">https://tripcheck.com/ . More Info
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Josephine County Emergency Management
2/3/2025
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