Community Corner

UPDATED: Heat, Thunderstorms Expected Today

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch and says the heat index could hit 100 degrees.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Oakland County in effect until 2 p.m. and warns the heat index could hit 100 degrees today.

"Wind gusts to 70 (miles per hour) will be the primary severe weather hazard," the NWS advises. "Thunderstorms will also be capable of producing hail to one inch in diameter and torrential rain."

The forecasting agency also has issued a hazardous weather outlook for southeastern Michigan that warns of high winds, hail and torrential rainfall this afternoon and evening as a cold front arrives.

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Heavy rainfall has the potential to cause urban flooding, the NWS warns.

"Gusty winds may cause small objects such as trash bins to blow around," an NWS special weather statement reads.

Find out what's happening in Huntington Woods-Berkleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The forecast high today is 93 degrees; tomorrow's high is expected to be 89 degrees, with cooler temperatures the rest of the week, according to the NWS.

The heat index temperature is higher because it measures how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored in, the NWS website explains.

The site offers the following heat safety tips:

Child Safety Tips

  • Make sure your child's safety seat and safety belt buckles aren't too hot before securing your child in a safety restraint system, especially when your car has been parked in the heat.
  • Never leave your child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows down.
  • Teach children not to play in, on or around cars.
  • Always lock car doors and trunks – even at home – and keep keys out of children's reach.
  • Always make sure all children have left the car when you reach your destination. Don't leave sleeping infants in the car ever!

Adult Safety Tips

  • Slow down. Reduce, eliminate or rescheduled strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Children, senior and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
  • Dress for summer. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
  • Put less fuel on your inner fires. Foods like meat and other proteins that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
  • Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol or decaffeinated fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, are on fluid restrictive diets or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids. Do not drink alcoholic beverages and limited caffeinated beverages.
  • During excess heat period, spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, go to a library, store or other location with air conditioning for part of the day.
  • Don't get too much sun. Sunburn reduced your body's ability to dissipate heat.
  • Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.

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