CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI
— An
Extreme Heat Warning
remains in effect through
9 p.m. Thursday
, as dangerous conditions bake the Mississippi Delta and parts of eastern Arkansas, with the
heat index soaring to 114 degrees
in some areas.
Heat grips Panola, Cross, Coahoma counties
According to the
National Weather Service in Memphis
, heat index values — which combine temperature and humidity — are expected to remain dangerously high in:
-
Mississippi
: Coahoma, Tunica, Quitman, Tallahatchie, and Panola counties -
Arkansas
: Cross, Lee, Phillips, and St. Francis counties
Cities such as
Clarksdale, Batesville, Helena-West Helena, Wynne, and Forrest City
are under the most extreme heat conditions. Officials are urging residents to stay inside air-conditioned spaces and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity.
Cooling centers open, schools scale back activities
Local governments have opened
cooling centers
with extended hours in
Clarksdale
and
Helena-West Helena
. Meanwhile,
schools in Panola County
have postponed all outdoor sports and after-school activities due to the high risk of heat-related illnesses.
“We’re asking families to check on the elderly and those without air conditioning,” said a spokesperson from the
Panola County Emergency Management Office
. “This level of heat can become fatal very quickly.”
Power grid strained, emergency crews on alert
With energy demand surging, utility providers have warned of possible
strain on the power grid
during afternoon peak hours. Residents are being asked to
limit nonessential electricity use
and charge essential devices in advance of potential service interruptions.
Emergency responders remain on high alert for calls involving
heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration
, especially among outdoor workers, children, and the elderly.
One of the worst July heat events in years
This weather event is being marked as
one of the hottest July heat index episodes
in the Mid-South since
2021
, with the most severe conditions forecasted from
late morning through early evening
.
“We haven’t seen this level of heat danger in years,” warned meteorologist
Andrew Perry
, speaking to local news. “People must treat this as a life-threatening situation.”
What you can do:
-
Stay indoors
in air-conditioned environments -
Hydrate regularly
, even if you’re not thirsty -
Limit physical exertion
, especially between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. -
Check on elderly neighbors and pets
-
Head to local
cooling centers
if needed
Have you experienced the heatwave in the Mid-South this week?
Drop your comment below and tell the
Saluda Standard-Sentinel
how it’s affecting your community.
