After a round of intense thunderstorms earlier this week knocked out power for thousands across Indiana, another threat is now settling in. This time, it’s not wind or lightning — it’s the heat.
With cleanup still underway and many homes still without electricity, central Indiana is heading into its hottest stretch of the year so far. Heat this week is manageable but forecasts show high temperatures climbing into the low 90s through the weekend and early next week, with humidity making it feel even hotter. Some areas could see heat index values near 100 degrees, especially Sunday and Monday.
Without air conditioning or fans, that kind of heat can become dangerous, fast.
The National Weather Service says the prolonged stretch of hot and humid weather will create a higher risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for the elderly, children, people with medical conditions, and anyone working or sleeping in places without air circulation.
Heat illness can come in stages. The earliest warning signs might be fatigue, thirst, or mild dizziness, that’s heat stress. If it progresses to heat exhaustion, symptoms can include heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, and headaches. In the most serious cases, heat stroke can set in, which is a medical emergency. That’s when the body loses its ability to cool down. A person might stop sweating, become confused, or even lose consciousness…