“We started about an hour earlier than what we normally do, so we can knock off about an hour earlier than what we normally do,” said Charlie Moore, landscaping supervisor for Hoke’s Lawn and Landscaping LLC.
The crews started at 7 a.m. so they could stop before the temperatures spiked to their highest for the day and kept water jugs in the truck as they worked.
No heat-related cases were reported at the Community Mercy Health Partners emergency room Thursday afternoon, said Dave Lamb, director of communications.
“We have not seen those cases today in the emergency department, but it’s just a matter of time with similar weather in the weekend forecast,” he said.
Little relief is in sight. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 90s at least through Monday. Today’s high is likely to reach 96.
At Reid Park Golf Course on Thursday afternoon, Chris White, turf maintenance worker, described the weather as “not too bad” as he cleaned and turned on watering equipment.
“I turn the sprinklers on and I go run through the mist,” he said.
White also stressed the importance of dressing for the weather.
“Loose clothing out here on days like today, it’s a must,” he said.
Mail carrier Jerry Martens has worked many hot days in his 18 years with the U.S. Postal Service.
The Limestone post office branch loads water bottles into a fridge and freezer for carriers to take out on their routes.
Martens said he drinks water as he drives from point to point and tries to park in the shade.
He also wears a safari-style hat for the hottest of days.
“You can soak it in water and then flop that on your head, and it feels wonderful,” he said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0373 or megan.gildow@coxinc.com
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