Extreme heat taking a toll; three alerts issued for Barrow County

Today's local high is expected to be 104 degrees. The high Saturday was 104; on Friday it was 105.

It has been even hotter in Athens, where Friday's temperature hit 109 degrees, breaking a record set in 1893.

The National Weather Service has issued three heat-related advisories affecting Barrow County:

• A heat advisory is in effect until 9 p.m. Monday, with "heat index" values during the afternoon and evening to be from 105-109 degrees. Heat index values measure the impact on the human body from high temperatures and relative humidity. The advisory states: "Consecutive days of excessive heat can have a cumulative effect on the human body. Heat of this magnitude and duration can trigger heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. Never leave children or pets unattended in a car even with windows rolled down."

• A "Code Red" Air Quality Alert due to ozone concentrations that are "unhealthy for most people" and place at even greater risk children and others with heart and lung disease. "Limit prolonged outdoor exertion during the afternoon and early evening when ozone concentrations are highest," the advisory states.

• A Fire Danger Statement: High fire danger conditions are expected to exist this afternoon and evening due to a period of low relative humidity. A relative humidity of 25 percent or less can be expected for four or more hours this afternoon into the evening. Winds will be 5-10 miles per hour. Avoid outdoor burning.

The National Weather service recommends that during this heat wave, people remain indoors in air-conditioned rooms and drink plenty of water. The agency also asks local residents to keep an eye on the elderly and others with heart, lung or other health conditions.

The daily high in Barrow County is forecast to drop below 100 on Monday, but it will be in the 90s for the next seven weeks.