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000
NOUS43 KLSX 241314
PNSLSX
MOZ018-019-026-027-034>036-041-042-047>052-059>065-072>075-084-
085-099-202100-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO
813 AM CDT FRI MAY 24 2013

...MISSOURI SUMMER WEATHER SAFETY DAY...

TODAY IS MISSOURI SUMMER WEATHER SAFETY DAY. WITH THIS WEEKEND BEING
THE TRADITIONAL START OF THE SUMMER SEASON...NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO
REMIND YOURSELF OF THE DANGERS POSED BY SUMMER WEATHER. THE TWO
HAZARDS WE SEE MOST COMMONLY EVERY SUMMER ARE EXCESSIVE HEAT AND
LIGHTNING.

EXCESSIVE HEAT WAVES ARE A PROBLEM WE FACE IN MISSOURI ALMOST EVERY
SUMMER. THE SUMMER OF 2012 WAS A STARK REMINDER OF THE TYPE OF HEAT
WAVES THAT CAN OCCUR. THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR
SERVICES REPORTED THAT 52 PEOPLE IN MISSOURI DIED DURING THE SUMMER
OF 2012 FROM HEAT RELATED CAUSES.

WHILE HEAT WAVES OCCUR EVERYWHERE...CITIES ARE ESPECIALLY
VULNERABLE. BRICK AND MORTAR BUILDINGS...ASPHALT STREETS AND TAR
ROOFS ABSORB DAYTIME HEAT AND SLOWLY RELEASE IT AT NIGHT. AS A
RESULT THE TEMPERATURE CAN BE AS MUCH AS TWO TO FIVE DEGREES WARMER
IN A CITY THAN IN SURROUNDING SUBURBAN OR RURAL AREAS.

THE ELDERLY POPULATION IS THE MOST VULNERABLE TO THE DANGERS OF
HEAT. THE ELDERLY SUFFER FROM A DIMINISHED ABILITY TO PERSPIRE...
WHICH IS THE HUMAN BODY`S MECHANISM TO COOL ITSELF DOWN. THUS THE
ELDERLY HAVE A REDUCED CAPACITY TO RELEASE HEAT FROM THEIR BODY.

IN ADDITION TO THE ELDERLY...INFANTS...YOUNG CHILDREN...AND PEOPLE
WITH CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO THE EFFECTS OF
HEAT WAVES. IN ADDITION...PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ACCLIMATED TO HOT WEATHER MAY
EASILY OVEREXERT THEMSELVES.

SO REMEMBER TO CHECK ON ELDERLY FRIENDS...RELATIVES OR NEIGHBORS
THIS SUMMER. KEEP AN EYE ON CHILDREN PLAYING OUTDOORS TO MAKE SURE
THEY TAKE PLENTY OF BREAKS TO COOL DOWN AND HYDRATE.

$$

JPK