County officials and fair organizers are bracing for a scorching start to the Jackson County Fair.
The county is under an excessive heat watch until 9 p.m. Sunday, the first day of the fair. The high for Sunday is the upper 90s with the heat index reaching above 100 degrees.
That comes after high temperatures Friday and today.
High temperatures predicted for the weekend prompted Jackson County Emergency Management Agency Director Duane Davis to remind the public to take precautions if they plan to go out in the heat.
"The biggest key is to plan ahead, keep an eye on temperatures and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate," he said. "I honestly don’t think you can drink enough water."
Davis said those precautions should be taken to help reduce the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which are the most common heat-related illnesses associated with high temperatures.
He said if residents are prone to heat-related illnesses, they should be aware of what the temperature will be before making plans to attend the fair.
Symptoms of dehydration include thirst, dark yellow urine, infrequent urination, dry mouth, headaches, muscle cramps and dry, cool skin.
Signs of heat exhaustion include fainting, dizziness, excessive sweating, clammy skin, nausea or vomiting, rapid, weak pulse and muscle cramps. Those who experience heat exhaustion should get to a cooler, air-conditioned place, drink water and take a cool shower or use cold compresses.
The most severe heat-related illness is heat stroke, and signs of the condition are throbbing headache, no sweating, body temperature above 103 degrees, red-hot skin, nausea or vomiting, rapid, strong pulse and loss of consciousness. Those who experience those symptoms should call 911 and then take immediate action to cool.
Davis said people are used to the fair being warm, but they should still take precautions.
"It’s fair time, but the heat and humidity will be the issue," he said. "People need to remember to take it easy and stay hydrated. The focus needs to be on the elderly and children who are most vulnerable."
Davis said fairgoers also should remember that Wednesday when it is Kiddie Day at the midway.
"They will be in the sun, and kids will tolerate everything they can to stay there," he said.
Thankfully, temperatures are expected to drop to the high 80s for the remainder of the week, according to the forecast by the National Weather Service.
Beginning Sunday, Davis will receive a weather briefing from the National Weather Service in Indianapolis that will include information about severe weather, heat index, humidity, wind and more.
"If anything like lightning should become a concern, they also will notify me, and I will relay that to the fair," he said. "We get phone calls every hour when severe weather is expected."
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Stay safe during warmer temperatures now through Sunday.
Heat stroke symptoms include throbbing headache, no sweating, body temperature above 103 degrees, red-hot skin, nausea or vomiting, rapid, strong pulse and loss of consciousness. Call 911 immediately, and cool the person down.
Heat exhaustion symptoms include fainting, dizziness, excessive sweating, clammy skin, nausea or vomiting, rapid, weak pulse and muscle cramps. Get to a cooler, air-conditioned place, drink water and take a cool shower or use cold compresses.
Dehydration symptoms include thirst, dark yellow urine, infrequent urination, dry mouth, headaches, muscle cramps and dry, cool skin. Drink water and rest.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
