Summer Of 2011 Setting Records For Heat, Heat-Related Illness

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The summer of 2011 is setting records – but not desirable ones. EMSA paramedics are responding to a record number of emergency calls for heat-related illness.

"This time last year, we had responded to 69 heat calls; this year, those calls total over 150," said Captain Chris Stevens, EMSA public information office.

Since midnight until 9 p.m. July 16, EMSA paramedics have responded to five patients with symptoms of heat-related illness.

On Friday, they finished the day with six heat-related patients.

"As the night time temperatures are staying in the mid 80s, the temperatures in the morning jump up as soon as the sun rises, making it hotter for more hours in the day," Stevens said.

"More and more heat calls are being reported in the evening hours as people have spent all day in the heat."

News On 6 meteorologist Dick Faurot agrees that the summer of 2011 is on pace to be the hottest summer ever. So far temperatures are tied with the summer of 1911 for the highest average temperature through July 15.

"Triple digit heat will be the general rule for as far as the eye can see with no real relief currently in sight," Faurot said.

Read Dick Faurot's Weather Blog

There are three cooling stations operating in Tulsa.

Tulsa County Social Services
2401 Charles Page Blvd, Tulsa, OK
Operational hours: 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. 7 days a week

Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 East 4th Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
Operational hours: Noon to 9 p.m. 7 days a week

Salvation Army Center of Hope
102 N. Denver Ave., Tulsa, OK
Operational hours: open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week