UPDATE 9/6/22 2 pm — We’ve got the latest on cooling centers around the county and the extended heat wave in our most recent article.
UPDATE 9/5/22 1 pm — The heat wave is expected to be reaching peak temperatures on the North Coast today and tomorrow, and Mendocino County Public Health has declared a heat emergency for the interior portions of the county until Friday, September 9. The full announcement from public health is included below, along with tips to stay cool and signs of heatstroke. There is also a statewide emergency due to the heat wave declared by Gov. Newsom last week.
A cooling center will be open in Ukiah beginning today until 8 p.m., and then be open Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the Ukiah Civic Center at 300 Seminary Ave. Additional cooling stations have been set up around the state including several in Lake County — you can find those locations here.
The California Independent System Operator (CA ISO) has called for ongoing “flex alerts,” asking electric customers to conserve energy during the hours of 4 – 10 p.m. The City of Ukiah has warned customers that if rolling blackouts are required due to a historic strain on the grid as the heatwave extends across California, the power outages will occur in for durations of between 60 – 90 minutes:
Be prepared: There is an increasing likelihood that California will experience rolling blackouts today and tomorrow, between the hours of 4-9 pm. The City of Ukiah will do everything in our power to prevent impacting our residents, including running our own facilities on generators to reduce the overall power load. However, IF rolling blackouts are required, sections of the city, one at a time, will be shut down for 60-90 minutes, between 4-9 pm. It is highly UNlikely that any household would be shut down more than once in a day.
The Civic Center (300 Seminary Avenue) will be open as a cooling center today (9/5) from noon – 8 pm and tomorrow (9/6) from 8am to 8pm.
City of Ukiah Facebook post
Mendocino County Public Health announcement:
Press-Release-Heat-warningMENDOCINO Co, 9/2/22 — The National Weather Service has announced an excessive heat warning this Labor Day weekend for central and eastern Mendocino County, in effect from 11 a.m. Sunday through 3 a.m. Tuesday. The news comes a couple days after Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency throughout California, saying, “While we are taking steps to get us through the immediate crisis, this reinforces the need for urgent action to end our dependence on fossil fuels that are destroying our climate and making these heat waves hotter and more common.”
Mendocino County’s hottest temperatures will come Monday and Tuesday, according to NWS Eureka. The weather service warns of “dangerously hot conditions” in places including Covelo, Potter Valley, and Ukiah with temperatures up to 110°F and overnight lows in the 60s in the valleys and the 70s at higher elevations. Find the forecast for your specific area here.
This persistent heat wave has the potential to set record highs here and in other regions in California, as temperatures soar throughout the state’s inland and southern zones. Mendocino County Public Health has not opened cooling stations as of publication, but any changes in this status will be shared on Facebook.
“Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities,” meteorologists from NWS Eureka wrote.
The weather service advised precautions including:
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Stay in an air-conditioned room and out of the sun.
- Check up on relatives and neighbors.
- Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
- When possible, reschedule strenuous outdoor activities to early morning or evening.
- Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible.
- To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
- Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 911.
Find more information on staying safe in excessive heat here.
Our prior coverage this week: Newsom declares State of Emergency, calls for energy reduction ahead of potential record-breaking heat
Heat stroke and exhaustion symptoms
Symptoms | What to do | |
---|---|---|
Heat Exhaustion | – Heavy sweating – Cold, pale, clammy skin – Fast, weak pulse – Nausea or vomiting – Muscle cramps – Tiredness or weakness – Dizziness – Headache – Fainting | – Move to a cool place – Loosen your clothes – Put cool, wet clothes on your body or take a cool bath – Sip water Get medical help right away if: – You are throwing up – Your symptoms get worse – Your symptoms last longer than one hour |
Heat Stroke | – High body temperature (103℉ or higher) – Hot, red, dry, or damp skin – Fast, strong pulse – Headache – Dizziness – Nausea – Confusion – Fainting | – Call 911 immediately – Move person to a cooler place – Help lower temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath – Do NOT give the person anything to drink |
Note: Kate Fishman covers the environment & natural resources for The Mendocino Voice in partnership with a Report For America. Her position is funded by the Community Foundation of Mendocino, Report for America, & our readers. You can support Fishman’s work with a tax-deductible donation here or by emailing [email protected]. Contact her at KFishman@mendovoice.com or at (707) 234-7735. The Voice maintains editorial control and independence.