Sweltering Heat Wave Hits US Cities

Sweltering Heat Hits Parts of The US, Blisters Vegas

Emergency Room, ER, doctors, are having hard times attending to patients as sweltering heat wave hits a number of US cities. 

AP reports that the rising heat, part of the general unusual high temperature resulting from climate change, is taking its toll, particularly Las Vegas, one of the country’s tourism and gambling capitals.

According to the report, ER doctors are battling to cope with the deluge of dehydrated construction workers, passed-out elderly folks and a number of other people rushed to the ER as a result of the effects of the intense heat that has already broken the city’s all-time record of 117 degrees fahrenheit, the equivalent of 47.2 degrees Celsius.

Following the development, a third of Americans are now 'under extreme heat advisory, watches and warning', with forecast in Nevada, California and Arizona predicted to be heading towards new record levels.

Doctors have reported treating severely dehydrated tourists, hikers and older people affected by the blistering heat wave. "We're getting a lot of heat-related illness now-a lot of dehydration, heat and exhaustion," an ER doctor with Dignity Health Siena Hospital, told AP. 

Reports also noted that most visitors to Las Vegas now prefer indoor locations, with many opting for ‘casinos where the chilly air conditioning might require a light sweater’.

Vegas is certainly not the only US city where there are concerns over the rising heat wave. Tens of millions across such cities as California and the Southwest are also in the throes of the element as residents are now in a rush to device ways of staying ‘cool and safe and away from being scorched by the extreme heat wave.

This much was confirmed by the National Weather Service which said on Friday that concerns about the heat wave, which is just teeing of, has been on for weeks.

“We’ve been talking about this building heat wave for a week now and the most intense period is beginning”, the agency wrote. 

Meanwhile, Phoenix has ramped up 15 days of consecutive 110 degrees Fahrenheit, about 43.3 degrees Celsius. The development is three days short of its record 110 degrees Fahrenheit heat wave stretch which took place in 1974.

With the heat wave expected to last up to next week, the city may well be ready for a new record as a high pressure dome looms in from Texas even as meteorologists are warning people never to underestimate the dangers posed by the unprecedented heat wave.

"This is not the typical desert heat due to its long duration, extreme day time temperatures and warm nights. Everyone needs to take this heat seriously, including those who live in the desert,” the service warns in a tweet.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, is already being pro-active in anticipation, opening splash pads for extended hours, with many public pools offering free admission just as churches and non-profit organizations are offering water, sunscreen and shelter to people in Boise, Idaho.

Sacramento’s California State Fair has had to cancel its planned horse racing events following concerns for animal safety. For general health concerns, employers are being reminded of the need to offer their employee water, shade and regular cool-off breaks while pet owners are counselled to keep their pets, particularly dogs, mostly inside, as they are very susceptible to heat stroke, which can kill them in minutes.