Heat, humidity invade South as misery continues

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are prime threats in heat waves.

— States from Texas ATLANTA to South Carolina were under heat advisories and warnings Tuesday, when it felt like 119 degrees in West Memphis, Arkansas — and forecasters said even more scorching conditions were possible by day’s end.

The most intense heat Tuesday was expected in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Alabama; and in areas near Memphis, Tennessee.

The warnings come one day after the temperature and humidity combined for a Monday heat index of 121 degrees in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

By noon Tuesday, the heat index was already 117 degrees in Clarksdale; and 114 in the west Tennessee city of Dyersburg, the weather service reported.

It’s just as sizzling along the Gulf Coast in south Alabama and along the Florida panhandle. The heat index hit 117 before noon Tuesday in the Mobile, Alabama area. Pensacola saw a heat index of 115, also before noon.

Forecasters say the heat index is what the temperature actually feels like.

In downtown Birmingham, Alabama, a piano-playing sidewalk evangelist sought refuge from the sun with two umbrellas — one over his head and the other on his sunny side.

Around the corner, artist Henry L. McShan sold his watercolor landscapes in a shady spot beside a park. Temperatures in Birmingham were already in the 90s Tuesday morning.

“I’m going to be here all day. I’ve got several bottles of water. I’m ready for it,” said McShan, his face glistening with sweat.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are prime threats during heat waves, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Kansas, a 2-year-old boy died after he was found alone in a parked car in the afternoon heat Sunday. It appears heat played a role in the child’s death, Lawrence Police Chief Gregory Burns Jr. said in a statement Monday. It was about 88 degrees with a heat index of 96 in Lawrence at the time, the weather service said. The police investigation is continuing.

In Texas, TXU Energy asked its customers to dial back their thermostats between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday due to the extreme heat. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which oversees parts of the state’s power grid, said it set an alltime peak demand record Monday afternoon.

The Dallas Zoo prepared for large crowds Tuesday during $1 admission day even as forecasters predicted triple-digit temperatures. A Dallas Zoo dollar admission day in July drew more than 30,000 visitors, with temperatures in the 90s, zoo spokeswoman Chelsey Norris said.

Misting tents were set up throughout the zoo for visitors to cool down. Elephants will be soaked with water cannons and offered frozen treats, she said.