Extreme Temperatures Being Felt Across the Midlands

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Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — This week temperatures are soaring to the triple digits in the midlands and it’s impact is being felt. Some parts of the state are facing a drought, while elsewhere doctors are warning about potential health risks. “The sun makes it worse and you feel the heat more on your skin at that time but anytime it’s very hot, very humid out can be dangerous,” said Dr. Steve Shelton. With sweltering hot temperatures gripping the midlands, doctors are warning about the potential risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. “It can be very dangerous, specifically for the folks of the extremes of ages, the very young and the elderly are at most of risk of this,” said Dr. Shelton. Dr. Shelton said people need to be on the look out for several symptoms, ranging from nausea to a foggy state of mind. “Now if you make it to where you have alter-mental status ,very confused, acting funny that’s heat stroke and that’s a life threatening emergency in which you need to activate 911,” explained Dr. Shelton. Dr. Shelton suggests avoiding the outdoors in the extreme heat. However, he said if you need to go outside make sure to be properly hydrated and wear cool, light fitting clothing. However, the extreme temperatures don‘t just impact your health, they also impact what you eat. “We lost corn, we lost about 7 acres of watermelons, our cantaloupes we got one picking off of,” explained farmer Joel Turner. Turner said the stifling heat and lack of rain that’s pushing parts of South Carolina into a drought is largely impacting his crops. “It’s been really rough, we had about a 2 month period where we didn‘t get more than about a half an inch of rain,” said Turner. “We had a 2 week period during those 2 months where every single day was over 100 degrees.” With those triple digit temperatures expected to continue, Turner said there is only one thing he can do. “Pray for rain and hope for the best,” said Turner.