With deadly 6-day heat wave headed our way, safety officials urge public plan ahead

An historic six-day heat wave is about to descend on the Greater Rochester area prompting the New Hampshire Department of Safety to issue multiple safety warnings in advance of the dangerous weeklong weather pattern.
Separately, the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, issued a Heat Advisory for parts of New Hampshire from 11 a.m. today until 8 p.m. on Thursday due to high humidity today and tomorrow, which will feel like 98 and 97, respectively.
While the heat wave officially begins today with the reaching of 90 degrees, the building heat and humidity has been felt by Northern Seacoast residents since last Thursday.
The heat wave will show little abatement on Friday with a high of 94, Saturday 95, Sunday 95 and Monday 90 before dipping down to the mid-80s on Tuesday.
Afternoon thunderstorms, some severe, could pop up nearly every day.
Meanwhile, the areas included in today's advisory indicate high humidity could lead to heat index values into the upper 90s. These conditions can lead to heat-related illnesses.

In an effort to keep Rochester residents safe, City Hall and the Public Library are open for cooling during regular business hours, Public Information Officer Matt Wyatt said today..

He also encouraged anyone looking to enjoy the pools to check the schedule as it's being adjusted daily due to worker shortages. He added they are still looking to hire more lifeguards.

The New Hampshire Department of Safety's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management urges residents and visitors to take action before a heat emergency.
"Take the necessary precautions to protect your family, friends, and neighbors from heat-related illness," said Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Jennifer Harper. "During extreme heat, limit your exposure to the sun and stay in air conditioned rooms for as long as possible."
Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year. Young children and infants, older adults, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women are at highest risk for heat-related illness.
Harper offers the following safety tips:
• Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
• Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
• Check on your animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.
• Go to a designated public shelter if your home loses power during periods of extreme heat. Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.
• Sign up for NH Alerts to receive emergency information via your mobile and landline phones, including severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service and emergency information from HSEM.
• Check the weather and listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical updates from the National Weather Service.
If you must go outside:
• Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks.
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun's rays.
• Protect your face and head by wearing sunblock and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Limit exposure to the sun.
Residents and visitors can learn more at ReadyNH.gov

Although high electricity usage during a heat wave can put a strain on the electric system, Eversource announced on Tuesday they are prepared to meet that increased demand and its crews are ready to respond to any outages or issues that may arise.
"We begin preparing for the increased demand we typically see during the summer months well before the hot weather arrives," said Eversource President of New Hampshire Operations Doug Foley. "By conducting ground and aerial inspections of the electrical system in the cooler months, we can detect and address any issues in advance so that our customers have reliable service during these hot summer days and throughout the year."

This story will be updated.