Franklin Heat Advisory, Excessive Heat Watch Statement as of 3:20 am CDT on July 10, 2009

... Heat advisory remains in effect from noon today to 7 am CDT
Saturday...
... Excessive heat watch remains in effect from Saturday morning
through Wednesday evening...

For the following counties...

In Arkansas...
Crawford... Franklin and Sebastian.

In Oklahoma...
Pushmataha... Choctaw... Osage... Washington... Nowata... Craig...
Pawnee... Tulsa... Rogers... Mayes... creek... Okfuskee... Okmulgee...
Wagoner... Cherokee... Muskogee... McIntosh... Sequoyah... Pittsburg...
Haskell... Latimer and Le Flore.

Hot and humid weather will be common for the next several days as
high pressure aloft builds over the area. Afternoon heat indices
will climb into the 105 to 110 degree range each day with
nighttime low temperatures only falling into the mid to upper
70s. Isolated thunderstorms will be possible over the next couple
of days and may provide some temporary local relief from the heat
in few places.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A heat advisory and an excessive heat watch means that a period
of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot
temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation
in which heat illnesses are possible. Portions of the watch area
will likely be upgraded to an excessive heat warning later today.

Strenuous activities should be reduced... eliminated or rescheduled
to the coolest time of the day. If you must be outside... drink
plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Your body can lose up to a
gallon of water an hour through perspiration. Alcoholic and
caffeinated beverages or beverages with a high sugar content... can
increase the rate of water loss in your body... increasing the risk
of heat exhaustion or stroke. Wear lightweight... light-colored
... Loose-fitting clothing. Wear a hat to shield yourself from the
sun... and use a sunscreen to reduce possible sunburn.

The heat index is a measure of how hot it feels when the affects
of humidity are combined with the temperature. A heat index of 105
degrees is considered the level where many people begin to experience
extreme discomfort or physical stress. The heat index is measured
under shady conditions... and direct exposure to sunlight can
increase the heat index as much as 15 degrees.

Never leave anyone in a closed... parked vehicle... temperatures
inside can reach over 150 degrees quickly... resulting in heat
stroke and death. Children... the elderly... and people with chronic
ailments such as heart disease or high blood pressure... are
usually the first to suffer from the heat. Heat exhaustion... heat
cramps... or in extreme cases... heat stroke may result from
prolonged exposure to these conditions. Friends... relatives... or
neighbors should check on people at risk... especially those without
air conditioning.

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