Advisory: Heat wave hits Portage County
By Taylor J. Hale
Staff Writer
PORTAGE COUNTY — Portage County residents are advised to batten down the hatches over the coming days.
The National Weather Service (NWS) released a new hazardous weather outlook and heat advisory on July 19. A moderate chance of strong winds, hail and isolated tornadoes is forecasted for the north-central and northeast Wisconsin areas.
“The threat is increasing for severe weather across all of north-central and northeast Wisconsin this evening into early overnight,” stated the NWS Green Bay report. “The latest indications suggest severe thunderstorms will be capable of producing widespread damaging winds, large hail, isolated tornadoes and localized flash flooding. Most of north-central and northeast Wisconsin is in a moderate risk for severe weather.”
The risk of severe thunderstorms will continue into Saturday evening.
The heat advisory will last until 7 p.m. on July 19, with a daily heat index value of 100-106 degrees. It is advised to stay indoors when possible. Take precautions to keep cool and avoid home and vehicle damage due to weather.
How to handle the heat?
The Portage County Division of Public Health released a guide on how to beat the oppressive heat and stay safe over the coming humid summer days. The release includes information on diagnosing and avoiding heat sickness. The guide notes that people ages 15-34 are the most likely to suffer from a heat-related illness.
Click here to view the Portage County Division of Public Health release and learn more about area cooling centers:
To view the NWS hazardous weather outlook visit: https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=WIZ036&warncounty=WIC097&firewxz one=WIZ036&local_place1=Stevens%20Point%20WI&product1=Hazardous+Weather+Outlook&l at=44.52&lon=-89.57#.XTDXhC2ZNdg.
