Perilous
Times and Climate Change
Heat-related deaths reported in Maryland, Tennessee
By the CNN Wire Staff
June 8, 2011 12:59 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Two deaths reported in Maryland, two in Tennessee, health
officials say
* All of the reported deaths were of people 60 or older, with
underlying health issues
* Heat that has plagued South for nearly two weeks lays siege
to Northeast, Great Lakes
* Maryland health agency issues tips for fighting heat,
recognizing heat illness symptoms
(CNN) -- A heat wave that has plagued much of the eastern United
States for nearly two weeks has claimed at least four lives,
health officials in Tennessee and Maryland reported Wednesday.
Two senior residents, ages 65 or older, died in the past 10 days
from excess heat exposure, according to the Maryland Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene. Both of the affected residents, a Cecil
County man and an Anne Arundel County woman, had underlying
medical conditions, the health agency said.
Two deaths related to the heat were reported in Shelby County,
Tennessee. As in the Maryland cases, the deceased were 60 or older
and had pre-existing medical conditions.
A 75-year-old woman was found dead in her home Monday, and a
60-year-old man who fell from his wheelchair in Tipton County was
taken to a hospital in Shelby County, where he died Tuesday, said
Heather Reynolds, a public information officer for the Shelby
County Health Department.
The woman had a working air conditioner that wasn't turned on, and
none of her windows were open, Reynolds said. She did have a fan
on, however. The Shelby County chief medical officer said the
woman had a number of medical conditions, including hypertension,
but heat was listed as a contributing factor.
The Tipton County man was an amputee who had diabetes and was
overweight. He was apparently in his wheelchair on a ramp to his
van when he fell. Neighbors passing by alerted emergency services,
and he was taken to Tipton County Hospital before being brought to
Shelby County.
"When hot weather claims the lives of our residents, we are
reminded how important it is to take precautions against heat
exposure," Gov. Martin O'Malley said in a statement from the
Maryland health department. "We need to remember to check on our
families, friends and neighbors and especially those who are most
vulnerable."
Much of the Southeast has endured blistering heat, with little
relief in the form of rain, since the last week of May, CNN
Meteorologist Rob Marciano said, and the rising mercury now is
spreading as far north as Minneapolis. Heat indices, which include
humidity to indicate how temperatures feel, were in the upper 80s
and low 90s well before noon in cities such as Washington,
Atlanta, New York and Detroit.
A couple of cold fronts "will flirt with the western Great Lakes,
so places like Chicago, maybe New York City, will see some brief
cooling, but everything south of the Mason-Dixon Line (will
experience) heat indices over 90 as well."
Dangerous heat is expected through Thursday, and possibly into
Friday, in the large Eastern cities, Marciano said, "so take care
of your neighbors, certainly the elderly ones, and those who may
not be able to handle this heat."
"Air quality is an issue, too," Marciano said. "Also, ozone builds
up in big cities like Atlanta, so we're at a Code Orange today.
Not only for Atlanta, but I think tomorrow over 80 cities will be
in unhealthy categories."
The Maryland health department issued tips for recognizing
symptoms of heatstroke and heat exhaustion, and for dealing with
the searing summer weather:
• Heatstroke is a serious illness characterized by a body
temperature greater then 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms may
include dry red skin, convulsions, disorientation, delirium and
coma. The onset of heatstroke can be rapid: A person can go from
feeling apparently well to a seriously ill condition within
minutes. Treatment of heatstroke involves the rapid lowering of
body temperature, using a cool bath or wet towels. A heatstroke
victim should be kept in a cool area, and emergency medical care
should be obtained by dialing 911.
• Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heatstroke that may develop
because of a combination of several days with high temperatures
and dehydration in an individual. Signs of heat exhaustion include
extreme weakness, muscle cramps, nausea and headache. Victims may
also vomit or faint. Heat exhaustion is treated with plenty of
liquids and rest in a cool, shaded area. Those on a low-sodium
diet or with other health problems should contact a doctor.
• In hot weather, it's important to drink plenty of fluids such as
water and fruit juices to prevent dehydration, and be aware that
alcohol can impair the body's sweat mechanism, as can fairly
common medications such as antihistamines and diuretics. Other
tips include wearing loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored
clothes, a hat and sunglasses; avoiding direct sunlight as much as
possible; taking it easy outdoors; and seeking out air-conditioned
areas such as a shopping mall or public library if you don't have
AC at home.
CNN's Vivian Kuo and Devon Sayers contributed to this report.