.jpg)
Hot And The Forecast Is For More Of The Same
Summer didn’t waste any time this year.
The first three days of summer last Friday, Saturday and Sunday – roared in with scorching temperatures and high humidity.
Temperatures reached into the mid-90s those three days, with the heat indexes going several degrees higher.
While the humidity and high temperatures retreated on Monday and Tuesday, they were scheduled to return today with a high temperature of around 96. And the forecast shows little relief over the next two weeks, with temperatures most days reaching the upper 80s to mid-90s. That forecast also shows limited chances for rain. Yards and farmers’ fields are increasingly looking like they would in August rather than June.
On Monday, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality announced a drought watch advisory for 95 cities and counties in the state, including Rockbridge County.
“A drought watch advisory is intended to help Virginians prepare for a potential drought,” a DEQ press release explains. Meanwhile a drought warning, which “indicates a significant drought is imminent,” is in place for 12 counties, including Augusta, Shenandoah, and Rockingham.
Those under either advisory are advised to limit water use where possible, check for and repair any leaks, and to monitor drought con- ditions in their area.
Tom Stanley, Virginia Cooperative Extension agent for Rockbridge County, explained the potential effects of this weather pattern for local farmers.
“There are five categories and we are currently in the second or third, meaning moderate drought,” he said.
“In general, our hay supplies have some leeway. The hay meadows have some resilience through the permanent sod; there should be a considerable runway for recovery,” Stanley said.
“However, there’s a danger that pasture could get short if this continues for another several weeks.”
While corn crops are not yet as vulnerable to water loss as they will be later in the season, Stanley explained that if the current pattern continues there is a risk of potential yield loss.
He encouraged all area residents to be mindful of their animals in the heat.
“In general, keep an eye on all your animals, whether that’s pets or farm animals. Make sure they have plenty of water and a way to keep themselves cool,” he said. -On the subject of keeping cool, the Department of Social Services offers a cooling assistance program for qualifying households.
“Our cooling assistance program opened on June 15 and runs through August 15,” said Holly Deacon with the Lexington/Buena Vista/ Rockbridge DSS office.
“To qualify, you must have at least one vulnerable person in your household. Vulnerable means 60 or older, someone living with a disability, or a child younger than 6,” she said.
This assistance can be applied to the purchase of new cooling equipment or repairs to existing equipment, and to electricity.
Applications can be filled out online at https://commonhelp. virginia.gov/access, or by calling the local DSS office at (540) 463-7143 or Enterprise Customer Service at 1 (855) 635-4370.
-Those who have to work outside are also taking extra precautions, such as members of Lexington Public Works.
“We move to summer hours after Memorial Day, so the bulk of our crew work from 6:30 to 2:30,” explained Patrick Madigan, director of Lexington Public Works. Refuse crews begin even earlier, starting around 3:30 in the morning.
“Supervisors are scheduling regular water breaks, and most of the trucks have water,” Madigan said. “They all have city credit cards for supplies, and they are authorized to purchase water, Gatorade, or ice, to have a cooler in the truck.”
New uniform modifications also help public works employees keep cool.
“This year we had a change in our uniforms - there was a request not to wear coveralls if they weren’t necessary - to add shorts to the uniform, and I said, ‘absolutely,’ as long as they meet the criteria,” Madigan said.
Staff have also been provided with baseball caps and sunglasses as part of their uniform. -For anyone spending time outside in the heat, similar precautions are advised.
“Try to limit your exposure time, when it’s this hot,” said Kevin Moore, deputy chief of Rockbridge County Fire and Rescue. “Some people have to work outside, but try to stay in the shade when possible or on breaks.
“Stay hydrated, that’s extremely important,” he said. “Try to time your work, so you can get the bulk of it done in the morning and evening when it’s cooler.”
