Heat Waves

A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessive heat. Excessive heat is defined as temperatures that hover 10 degrees or more above the average high temperature for the region during summer months, last for a prolonged period of time, and often are accompanied by high humidity. The following sites will provide information on heat hazards and how to plan for excessive heat should it occur in your area.

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1. Avoiding Dehydration
   Texas AgriLife Extension Service
2. Extreme Heat Fact Sheet
   Federal Emergency Management Agency
   http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/heat.shtm
3. Health Hints Newsletter: Heat
   Texas AgriLife Extension Service
   Janet M. Pollard, MPH & Carol A. Rice, Ph.D., RN
4. Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stress
   Texas AgriLife Extension Service
   http://fcs.tamu.edu/health/child_health/heat/heat_exhaustion_heat_stress.php
5. Heat Index Forecasts
   National Weather Service (NOAA)
   http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heat_index.shtml
6. Heat Precautions Put on the Front Burner
   Texas Department of State Health Services
   http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/features/20050523.shtm
7. Heat Waves
   American Red Cross
   http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_586_,00.html
8. Heat Wave Information Sheet
   Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages
   http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/code/heat.pdf
9. Working Outdoors in the Heat
   Texas AgriLife Extension Service