By RAY WYCHE
Staff writer

The thermometer Wednesday afternoon rose as high as it has been at the N. C. Crop Research Station northwest of Whiteville in 53 years.

At 3:58 p.m. yesterday, Superintendent Ty Marshall’s thermometer topped out at 105 degrees, equaling a reading recorded on June 26, 1954.

After the high temperature mark was reached Wednesday, the mercury began a downward journey but today (Thursday) was predicted to be hotter than Wednesday.
Other areas of the county showed excessive warmth Wednesday afternoon.

Lake Waccamaw State Park reported that the temperature at 1:01 p. m. Wednesday reached101.3 degrees, with a heat index reading of 120 degrees.
The N. C. Forest Service reading at 1 p. m. Wednesday was recorded at 104 degrees. Temperatures varied in other sections of the county.

Historically, temperatures in Columbus County peak in August. A reading of 104 degrees was noted in August 1983; 103 degrees was recorded in August 2002 at the Research Station. The average maximum temperature for the month ranges from 92.96 degrees in 1999 down to 85.97 degrees in 1989.

Health officials familiar with physical problems caused by extremely high temperatures are advising residents to be aware of warning signs of high heat illnesses, such as cramps, cessation of sweating, blurred vision and confusion.

“People need to heed the warnings,” said Columbus County Health Department Director Kim Smith, referring to the “excessive heat warning” (as opposed to the “excessive heat advisory” issued earlier) from the National Weather Service.

The upward advance of one level in the heat status as determined by the National Weather Service indicates that heat conditions are in or approaching a period of danger because of high natural temperatures.

Residents should limit their time outside of cooled buildings, if at all possible, Smith said, and should be sure they are adequately hydrated by consuming large amounts of liquids.

Those who must work in excessively warm situations should be sure to take numerous breaks out of the sun.

Some experts advise wearing a wet towel around the neck for people who must exert physical energy during the hottest parts of the day.

The elderly and the very young are particularly vulnerable to health problems because of excessive temperatures and should be monitored closely for symptoms of physical distresses caused by heat, Smith added.

People should not forget to make sure their pets and livestock have adequate shade and ample drinking water.

The Columbus County Department of Aging, led by Director Ed Worley, has mounted an all-out effort to ensure that the county’s senior citizens are not suffering or in danger from excessive heat.

“We are concerned with this heat,” Worley said. “We are calling on all our clients who live alone to be sure they’ve got a fan. Our home delivery clients (those who receive services such as medical observation or treatment from visiting workers) are carrying bottles of water, and we have one worker who goes on her own time and fixes women’s hair just to make them feel better,” Worley said.

The department has had a free fan program for several years through which fans are donated to eligible clients who lack mechanical means to cool their residences.

“We have only 10 fans left but we have a little money with which to buy more fans,” Worley said.

Some area churches have bought and delivered bottled water to the department for distribution among the elderly, he said.

He said that one resident bought and delivered five fans to the department for distribution to those who need them.

“He said he wanted them (the elderly) to be cool,” Worley said.