Show-Me State Times

The National Weather Service in St. Louis has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the City of St. Louis, effective through 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 1. The region is expected to experience dangerously high temperatures with heat index values reaching up to 114 degrees. These conditions increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.

"Excessive daytime heat can result in dangerous conditions for many city residents, including the elderly, young children, those with disabilities and outdoor workers," said Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, Director of Health for the City of St. Louis. "Ensure your own safety by staying hydrated, staying indoors and wearing light, loose clothing and sunscreen if going outside is necessary; then check on those who are vulnerable and may need assistance."

The anticipated high temperatures and humidity could quickly cause heat stress or heat stroke without proper precautions. Those most susceptible include the very young, the elderly, individuals without air conditioning, and people engaged in strenuous outdoor activities.

"Today and tomorrow (Wednesday) are expected to be the worst days, but it is important to take precautions throughout the entire warning period," stated Sarah Russell, Commissioner for the City Emergency Management Agency. "Running your air conditioning unit or using various cooling centers during the hottest parts of the day will help prevent serious illness or injury from extreme heat."

"Our unhoused neighbors are especially vulnerable during extreme temperatures," added Adam Pearson, Director of the Department of Human Services. "The outreach team at DHS will be out engaging with unhoused residents to provide water and connect them to available cooling centers and additional resources."

Health officials provided several tips for dealing with excessive heat:

- Avoid poorly ventilated areas and prolonged work in direct sunlight.

- Stay hydrated by keeping plenty of fluids on hand.

- Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.

- Never leave children unattended in a vehicle as interior temperatures can become lethal within minutes.

Additionally:

- Routinely check on family members, neighbors, elderly individuals, chronically ill friends; encourage them to use air conditioning if available.

- Replace salt and minerals lost through heavy sweating with sports drinks unless contraindicated by medical conditions such as low-salt diets or chronic illnesses like diabetes or high blood pressure.

For pet safety during extreme heat:

- Ensure pets are kept in an air-conditioned environment.

- Never leave pets alone in vehicles; call 911 if you see a pet left unattended.

- Prevent pets from drinking coolant leaking from vehicles as it can be fatal even in small amounts.

- Avoid forcing animals to exercise after meals in hot weather; limit exercise to early morning or evening hours.

- Protect pets' paws from burning on asphalt surfaces.

Residents seeking assistance can contact Cooldown St. Louis for new air-conditioning units if they qualify based on age or physical disability criteria. Information about cooling sites is available on the City of St. Louis Cooling Centers website or via United Way’s referral line at 1-800-427-4626.

For urgent situations related to severe heat-related illnesses or animals in distress:

Call 911 immediately for medical emergencies,

Report animals in distress during business hours at 314-657-1500,

During evenings/weekends contact St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department at 314-231-1212.

Further information regarding child safety tips related to extreme heat can be found at SafeKids.org while general guidelines about handling extreme temperatures are available on CDC's website.