NOAA 98-229

Contact:  John Leslie                             7/15/98
          

                          MEDIA ADVISORY

As temperatures continue to soar throughout the south, the National Weather Service is recommending several Internet sites for information about heat waves, heat index and safety tips to help residents protect against health and other problems associated with the heat.

With the heat-related death toll rising, the NWS also urges that vulnerable populations--especially the elderly--be given special attention by friends, neighbors, and caregivers.

"Because of their longer duration, heat waves can take a greater toll on the population than other weather events such as severe storms," noted Bill Proenza, director of the NWS Southern Region. "We want to provide as much information as possible to help people protect themselves and those around them from the oppressive heat," Proenza said.

Heat-related Internet sites include:

• http://www.nws.noaa.gov/pa/secnews/heat/index.html

• http://www.nws.noaa.gov/er/lwx/heat.htm

• http://www.nws.noaa.gov/er/mhx/heatwvt.htm