Governor Josh Stein has officially proclaimed May 25th through May 31st as North Carolina Heat Awareness Week, underscoring the critical need to prepare for another potentially record-breaking hot summer.
The proclamation highlights the vital heat safety programs and resources that are currently available to North Carolinians; it also brings crucial attention to the ongoing trends of climate warming that are making extreme heat an ever-increasing threat to our health and well-being.
North Carolina experienced record-high temperatures in several communities last summer, a trend that is unfortunately expected to continue into 2025. The stark reality is reflected in the nearly 20% surge in heat-related illness emergency department visits from 2023 to 2024, totaling a staggering 4,688 visits. These numbers serve as a powerful reminder that extreme heat is not just an inconvenience—it’s a serious public health concern.
As heat increases, body temperature and heart rate rise, resulting in severe health problems such as dehydration, heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke as the body is overwhelmed by heat. Extreme heat can also amplify the risk of cardiovascular, respiratory, and cerebrovascular diseases.
Extreme heat can impact anyone, but certain populations face a disproportionately higher risk. These include:
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness is crucial for preventing serious complications. Be aware of the following:
If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, it’s vital to take immediate action to cool down and seek medical attention if necessary.
Fortunately, North Carolina is proactively working to equip residents with the resources they need to stay safe during periods of extreme heat:
NC Heat Action Plan Toolkit: Developed by the state Resiliency Program in collaboration with NCDHHS, the NC State Climate Office, and the Duke University Heat Policy Innovation Hub, this toolkit provides a template for communities to create their own heat action plans, along with public outreach materials, checklists, and protocols.
Planning for Extreme Heat Cohort: The Resiliency Program and NC State Climate Office have partnered to help communities develop local heat action plans through this collaborative cohort. Reach out to your local emergency management or public health agencies to see if your community is involved.
NC Resilience Exchange Website: This comprehensive website is a central hub for climate resilience information relevant to North Carolina, including resources specifically on extreme heat. Site visitors can also register for the upcoming Planning for Heat Season webinar on June 6, hosted by the NC Office of Recovery and Resilience.
Operation Fan Heat Relief: The NCDHHS is running its annual Operation Fan Heat Relief program until October 31, 2025. Qualifying low-income individuals, the elderly, and those with disabilities can receive a free fan to help stay cool. Visit the DHHS website to check eligibility and find participating locations.
While these state and local efforts are crucial, it’s important to note the concerning impact of budget and staffing cuts at federal agencies like the CDC and EPA. As highlighted by DHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai, these cuts put vital programs that support heat safety at risk, potentially impacting our state’s heat health alert system and Heat-Related Illness Surveillance system. This underscores the importance of continued investment at all levels to protect public health in the face of a warming climate.
As North Carolina braces for another potentially record-breaking summer, let’s all heed the call of Heat Awareness Week and take the necessary steps to prevent heat exhaustion and illness. By staying informed about the risks and utilizing the available resources, we can work together to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safe.
