FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    July 6, 2012

Contact: Joint Information Center, 614-799-6480
OHIOANS REMINDED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR NEIGHBORS AS THREE HEAT-RELATED DEATHS CONFIRMED
As Ohio Faces the Hottest Day Yet This Week, Checking on Neighbors Becomes More Critical

COLUMBUS –State officials reemphasized the need for Ohioans to take careful precautions against severe heat and check on their neighbors after the heat-related deaths of three Licking County seniors with medical conditions was confirmed today.

Gov. John R. Kasich reminded all Ohioans to check on their neighbors as temperatures across much of the state are expected to peak in the triple digits tomorrow (July 7<https://mail.em.ohio.gov/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>). Ohioans should get in touch with friends, family and loved ones, and help spread the word about how to stay safe in the heat.

“With tomorrow’s temperatures and heat indexes expected to be at their highest, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of personal safety and checking in on your neighbors,” said Kasich.

“These deaths are tragic and my prayers go out to the families and friends of those who died.  It’s an unfortunate reminder of how seriously we need to take the current situation.  The combination of prolonged power outages and severe heat can clearly take a toll.

“Officials are doing everything they can to help, but the best way to prevent problems is to protect yourself against the heat and knock on your neighbor’s door to make sure they’re okay.  If your neighbor is a senior citizen or has a medical condition, please check on them.  If you know of someone who might need help and you cannot get in touch with them, call your county EMA or police department and let them know.  We will get through this by helping each other.

“I am very proud of the work that state and county EMAs have done, that local first responders have done, that health and aging workers have done, that the National Guard has done, and that local volunteers have done.  Lives have been saved this week because of their tireless work, but these deaths remind us that we can’t let up until this crisis has passed.”

Health officials have reminded Ohioans this week that conditions that can limit the body’s ability to cool itself in hot weather include old age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn and drug and alcohol use. Among those at highest risk for heat stroke or heat exhaustion are:

•Infants and children up to 4 years old.
•People 65 and older.
•People who are overweight.
•People who over-exert during work or exercise.
•People who are ill or on certain medications.

Residents without power can call their local 211 numbers for information and assistance, or 911 in an emergency. Information is also available online at www.ema.ohio.gov<https://mail.em.ohio.gov/owa/redir.aspx?C=94rCOVFhO0q4xfhlYdyDuyfu2RZeL88IBL-kDTxfNa1eukepddNyY6hE_qr6GGVBgrjcaoN-cQI.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ema.ohio.gov%2f> and on Twitter at #OHwx and #severeweather.

Chronology

·         July 4: Federal Government Grants Request for Replacement Food Assistance

·         July 3: Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor and Ohio Department of Aging Director ask Ohio’s colleges and universities to urge their students to help those affected by the outages and heat.

·         July 2: FEMA delivers initial water supplies to counties and other local governments.

·         July 1: Another round of severe storms move across Ohio wiping out power to more residents.

·         July 1: Members of Ohio National Guard deploy to help check on Ohioans who may be at risk as a result of power outages and extreme heat.

·         June 30: Gov. Kasich’s request for federal assistance is approved.

·         June 30: Gov. Kasich spoke to the President and requested federal assistance to respond to the storm. He also spoke with utility company CEOs and local elected officials to make state resources available to expedite recovery activities.

·         June 30: Gov. Kasich declared an emergency for the entire state of Ohio so state agencies can assist local government response and recovery efforts. The National Guard was activated to help deliver needed supplies and conduct door-to-door checks in select areas to identify vulnerable Ohioans threatened by the severe heat.

·         June 29: Ohio’s Emergency Operations Center in Columbus was activated to coordinate state and local storm recovery efforts. The state contacted Federal Emergency Management Agency officials to let them know federal assistance may be needed.

·         June 29: Severe storms and high winds during evening rush hour knocked out power for approximately one million homes and businesses across two-thirds of the state.