Killer heat wave claims three in Lodi

Under the watchful eye of Jennifer Sellers, the evening med technician, standing on left, residents of Arbor Place, on Louie Ave. in Lodi, are kept comfortable and well hydrated during our current heat wave. (Mitchell W. Podraza/News-Sentinel)

Killer heat wave claims three in Lodi

Heat sends dozens to hospital; Lodi sets new record for energy use; heat advisory extended until 9 p.m. Wednesday

By Melissa Dahl
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Tuesday, July 25, 2006 8:41 PM PDT

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A relentless heat wave is being blamed for the deaths of at least three Lodians and hospital workers Monday treated several other residents suffering heat-related illness.

The record-shattering heat has stressed power systems, killed local dairy cows and prompted city officials to set up a first-ever emergency cool zone at Hutchins Street Square.

A National Weather Service heat advisory for northern San Joaquin County has been extended until 9 p.m. Wednesday.

The heat has:

• Sent dozens of people to the local emergency room seeking treatment for heat-related illnesses.

• Killed cattle faster than farmers could dispose of the cows, leaving decaying carcasses scattered across area dairy farms.

• Compelled the agency that monitors the state's electric grid to issue a Stage 2 energy alert, and more than 30 large businesses in Lodi reduced their use of lights and air conditioning to conserve energy.

• Resulted in a new local record for electricity use in Lodi, surpassing the previous high set Friday.

At Lodi Memorial Hospital, so many patients have been admitted for heat-related illnesses in the last few days that the hospital staff has been too busy to count how many have died from the heat, Farron said. As of Monday evening, Farron could only confirm the three deaths on Sunday.

All of Sunday's heat victims were older than 60. One had air conditioning at home, but couldn't afford to use it. Farron was unsure if the other two had air conditioning at home.

Also on Sunday, Lodi Memorial staff rehabilitated five people who were near death upon entering the emergency room, Farron said.

Monday's heat sent five people to the emergency room at Lodi Memorial, including two employees from Farmers and Merchants Bank at 121 W. Pine St., where an air conditioning unit on the second floor was broken for several hours in the morning.

A woman in her 40s was admitted to the emergency room after collapsing in her backyard at around 5:45 p.m.

Temperatures have reached 100 degrees or higher in Lodi for 10 of the last 11 days, according to AccuWeather, a private forecasting firm. Monday saw a high of 113 in Lodi, but locals can look forward to cooler temperatures by the end of the week.

Today's high is expected to be 108, Wednesday 103 and Thursday 100. Friday will triple digits at 99.

San Joaquin County officials decided Monday to ask the county board of supervisors to declare a local state of emergency as livestock died throughout the county.

Scott Hudson, the county's agricultural commissioner, said decaying cattle carcasses could pose a serious health risk.

For several weeks, the scorching heat has killed cattle all over San Joaquin County dairy farms, and they're dying too quickly for farmers to dispose of them, Hudson said. Declaring a public emergency would allow several alternative methods for disposing of the carcasses: holding the carcass for future rendering, dumping the carcass at a landfill, composting on site or burying on site.

In Lodi, the city established a community cooling center at Hutchins Street Square to provide a cool refuge from the heat.

The center has been set up in the Cottage and Pisano rooms and will open today at 8:30 a.m. Free transportation to the square, located at 125 S. Hutchins St. will be provided from Dial-A-Ride.

LOEL Center also extended its hours to provide a cool, air-conditioned place for local seniors.

Surviving the heat

Remember these tips to stay healthy and safe when the weather gets extremely hot:
• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
• If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine.
• Try spending the hottest part of the day (about 6 p.m. in Lodi) in public, air-conditioned buildings such as the library, movie theater, stores or other community centers.
• Avoid strenuous work during the hottest part of the day.
• Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Limit consumption of alcohol.
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning.
• Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
— Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency, at http://www.fema.gov.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, one of the best ways to combat extreme heat is to stay indoors with the air conditioning on, and Californians across the state took that to heart on Monday.

Monday's high demand for electricity caused the city of Lodi to reach an all-time peak for energy usage, at 140 megawattas at 2 p.m. The old record, 137 megawatts, was set on Friday.

And the California Independent System Operator issued a Stage 2 Alert at 1 p.m., meaning large businesses were encouraged to reduce their energy usage. Lodi Electric Utility contacted 30 businesses, such as grocery stores and factories, to conserve energy as much as possible, said Sondra Huff, senior rate analyst for Lodi Electric Utility.

Lodi Memorial conserved energy by keeping as many lights off as possible and cutting back on the air conditioning.

"It's not only caring for these people that are sick and coming in, it's trying to conserve all the energy we can," Farron said.

Lights and air conditioning in patient care areas remained on, but "the rest of us are working toasty," Farron said.

Contact reporter Melissa Dahl at intern@lodinews.com.

First published: Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Reader Feedback

OTH wrote on Jul 27, 2006 6:27 PM:

" Skilos......You're back. We were worried about you. "

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