The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for parts of Vermont on Tuesday, with dangerously hot weather expected across Vermont through Wednesday. High temperatures in the upper 80s to mid 90s with warm overnight low temperatures are expected in many locations, causing increased health risks during outdoor activities and for anyone without access to air conditioning. Preliminary surveillance data indicates that this event is having an abnormally high impact for a mid-summer heat event.
Vermont data indicates that emergency department visits for heat-related illnesses increase when temperatures reach the mid- to upper-80s, with impacts getting progressively worse as temperatures rise into the 90s. Sun exposure and humid conditions make the temperature feel even hotter. Preliminary surveillance data indicates that over 50 people visited the emergency room at Vermont hospitals for heat-related illnesses during the recent period of extreme heat from June 22-25.
Populations Most Affected
Individuals who are generally at higher risk for heat-related health impacts include: older adults; young children; outdoor workers and hobbyists; people who are pregnant; people who are overweight, have a chronic medical condition, mental illness, or disability; people using recreational drugs or alcohol; and people using certain prescription medications. Risk is further elevated for people that are unhoused but cannot access cooling facilities and for people that are housed but do not have air conditioning, especially if also living alone - dehydration and prolonged exposure to hot living conditions are major concerns for these populations.
Symptoms and first aid
Muscle cramps, heavy sweating, nausea, headache or light-headedness may all indicate a heat-related illness. Most heat-related illnesses can be treated with fluids and by resting in a cooler place. If symptoms persist or get worse, or someone you are with seems confused or loses consciousness, dial 9-1-1 and get immediate medical help. Learn more about symptoms and first aid.
Prevention guidance for communities
- Use Front Porch Forum or social media to raise awareness – examples are provided in our Hot Weather Media Toolkit.
- Be familiar with symptoms of heat-related illnesses and first aid responses.
- Offer safe and fun ways to stay cool, such as free or extended access to beaches and pools, providing hoses or misters, and offering free cold beverages.
- Consider opening a cooling center, which could be any air-conditioned, publicly accessible location (for example, a library or community center)
- Mobilize local care networks to use our Heat Guidance for Caregivers check in on people at high risk for heat-related illnesses.
- For outdoor work, recreational activities, or other local events, ensure that organizes are prepared with water, cooling strategies, and event modification or cancellation plans.
- Hot weather can affect anyone – be aware of your own symptoms and look out for others.
- Use our local hot weather preparedness guidance and planning template to create a response plan for hot weather emergencies.
Find more information and resources:
- Heat safety tips in 12 languages (available online or as printable pdfs). Safety tips are available in Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, English, French, Karen, Kirundi, Nepali, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, and Vietnamese. Also find translated heat safety videos from the Vermont Language Justice Project.
- Vermont Cooling Sites online map of indoor and outdoor locations where the public can go to cool off (also available as printable pdfs). If you are aware of other cooling locations we should add to the map, please email me or submit them through the online cooling site form.
- Find additional hot weather preparedness resources for community partners.
Stay tuned to heat hazard forecasts from the National Weather Service:
- Vermont Hazardous Weather Outlook
- National HeatRisk Forecast Tool
Stay informed by subscribing to the following:
- Vermont Alert, notifications by text, phone, or email when NWS issues a heat-related weather advisory (make sure to select “heat alerts” from the list of subscription options)
- Department of Public Safety weather alerts
Questions? Call the Vermont Department of Health/Environmental Health at 802-863-7220, extension 0, or contact ClimateHealth@vermont.gov.