Hunter folk beware – summer is here and it is hot.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast temperatures in Newcastle and Port Stephens to hit 30 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Further in the valley in Maitland, Cessnock and up to Singleton the mercury is set to smash through the 40C mark.
Temperatures are generally forecast to rise during the weekend and early next week, bringing severe to extreme heatwave conditions to most areas away from the coast.
HEALTH WARNING
NSW Health has issued a warning as the first heatwave for summer is set to sweep through much of the state.
Dr Ben Scalley, Director of Environmental Health, said it was important people took precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses as extreme heatwaves lead to a 10 per cent increase in both deaths and ambulance callouts.
“People can be unprepared for the first heat spike of summer, so we are reminding them to take safety measures against the effects of overheating and sun exposure,” Dr Scalley said.
“It’s important people keep up their water intake, stay cool and avoid strenuous physical activity in the heat of the day.
“Heat places a lot of strain on the body and can interfere with blood circulation and cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”
Signs of heat-related illness may include nausea, vomiting, faintness and dizziness, loss of appetite, weakness, headaches, loss of sweating and reduced urine output.
People showing severe signs of heat-related illness should seek urgent medical attention through their GP or the emergency department at their nearest hospital.
POWER SUPPLY
Ausgrid has cancelled planned maintenance works at locations across the Hunter region due to very high temperatures forecast for some areas today.
In locations where temperatures hit 40 degrees, planned work is cancelled as part of our normal preparations for extreme weather, unless customers agree for it to go ahead.
Ausgrid Chief Operating Officer Trevor Armstrong said planned works will proceed on the Central Coast, but there are a number of cancellations in the Hunter.
“We have cancelled planned jobs at Raymond Terrace, Heddon Greta, Mccullys Gap, Yango Creek and Lambs Valley,” Mr Armstrong said.
“All of those jobs would have required power being interrupted to customers and in very hot conditions like those today we don’t want to leave customers without electricity for extended periods.”
IN OTHER NEWS