Record-breaking heat can turn dangerous

LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- Thursday's record-breaking heat can also become dangerous heat. But people have several options to stay cool.

The Louisville Water Company has set up a mobile station at 5th and Jefferson. It's pulling water directly from the main, chilling it in a cooler, and then serving it up. Hydration is everything when we hit triple digits.

Also, avoid being outside in the heat of the day, generally between noon and five. Wear light colors and light fabrics, and if you do have to be outside working, take regular breaks.

The biggest tip may seem simple but is the most important -- listen to your body.

The threat of heat illness forced some Oldham County day campers indoors to a field trip to the Kentucky Center for the Arts. "Yesterday we went to the pool," says camp counselor Ryan Murphy, "but today we planned more indoor stuff because of the heat outside."

And Major Jesse Yarbourough of Metro EMS says his team saw even more heat runs Thursday afternoon. "Yes, we have seen an increase in heat related runs since the start of the heat wave a couple weeks ago."

There is also a fire danger, with 71 counties in Indiana and 23 in Kentucky issuing burn bans. In addition, the National Weather Service sent word on an extreme fire danger warning for parts of our region.

Scorching temperatures, low humidity, and bone dry vegetation put all the ingredients in the pot for critical fires to spread quickly and gusty winds are like a spoon mixing it all together.

Here are some common reactions among people WDRB News spoke to about the heat:

"Horrible!"

"Roasting."

"Excruciating."

"Scorching and sweaty."

City officials are also asking people to check on family and friends who are at high risk of having heat-related problems, especially the elderly.

For a list of the city's cool centers, click here.