The heat index reached as high as 108 degrees Thursday afternoon, putting people in Louisiana, east Texas, and southern Arkansas in the middle of a dangerous heat wave.
The National Weather Service in Shreveport says that the area, which includes Caddo, Bossier, Ouachita, Bowie, Cass, and Union counties, is still under a heat warning until 7 p.m. Thursday. Emergency officials are telling people to stay hydrated, stay inside for long periods of time, and check on their neighbors, especially the old and those who don’t have air conditioning.
The hottest temperatures are likely to hit cities in the late afternoon, from Shreveport and Monroe to Longview, Lufkin, and Texarkana. Schools and companies in the area may change their schedules or limit outdoor events, and emergency rooms are getting ready for a possible rise in illnesses caused by the heat. Traffic may move more slowly on major roads like I-20 and US-71 as drivers deal with extreme heat and the risk of their vehicles overheating.
Officials say that you should do hard activities early in the morning or late at night, wear light clothes, and stay in cool, shady places. “This level of heat can kill you,” the local emergency management said. “Be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and call 911 if you or someone nearby gets lost, confused, or stops sweating.”
If dangerous conditions don’t go away, heat warnings may be extended. Stay tuned for more information from the National Weather Service and the local government.
