Local officials from the city of Austin and Travis County gathered May 13 to discuss tips to prepare.
"This is the type of heat we generally don't start seeing until July," Mayor Kirk Watson said at a news conference May 13. "It's unwelcome and it's unwanted, but it's here, and it's a stark reminder that we need to be prepared for what the summer is going to bring. Heat can be deadly, even in places like Central Texas, where we're used to our fair share of the heat."
The details
Personal precautions Watson recommended include:
- Hydrating before and after being outdoors
- Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing
- Limit outdoor activities to the morning and evening
Hopkins said heat-related emergencies to look out for include:
- Heat cramps, including muscle cramps and abdominal cramps
- Heat exhaustion, which symptoms include pale skin, weakness, dizziness, heavy sweating, nausea, vomiting and a weak pulse
- Heat stroke, a time-sensitive emergency that includes lethargy, loss of consciousness, confusion and red skin
Vulnerable populations to heat-related illnesses include:
- Infants and children
- Older adults
- People with chronic medical conditions
- People who work, exercise or play outside
- People who are pregnant
"Heat stroke is the leading cause of non-collision vehicle deaths in children," Watson said. "Vehicles can heat up very quickly, even on mildly warm days."
What residents should know
Cooling centers can be found around the city, including at city facilities and branches of the Austin Public Library. Find cooling centers online here.
For the population experiencing homelessness, David Gray, city of Austin homeless strategy officer, said over 4,000 bottle of waters were ordered last week for street outrage teams to bring into encampments in addition to offering information on cooling centers and access to water.
"Although we oftentimes talk about the cooling centers within the context of homelessness, these centers are open to any Austinite who needs access to them," Gray said.
