Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Newsletters
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
At least 100 dead, major disaster declared after catastrophic Texas flood. Read the latest Chevron right
Flash flood threat to continue in central Texas into midweek. Get details Chevron right

Columbus, OH

73°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

73°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Newsletters

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / AccuWeather Ready

Heat kills more Americans than any other weather disaster on average each year, and heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable.

By Jillian MacMath, AccuWeather staff writer

Updated Jun 17, 2024 10:10 AM EDT

Copied

As temperatures increase, so does the risk of dying from heat exhaustion and heatstrokes. Here’s how you can stay safe in the sun.

More people die on average each year from complications related to extreme heat in the United States than any other weather disaster, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, lightning or any other weather event, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable, but it’s important to identify the warning signs and react swiftly and appropriately when they arise.

What’s the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?

Heat exhaustion is the precursor to heatstroke and directly results from the body overheating.

According to Mayo Clinic, heat exhaustion is identifiable by heavy sweating, rapid pulse, dizziness, fatigue, cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat, muscle cramps, nausea, and headache.

These symptoms may develop over time or suddenly, especially during or following periods of prolonged exercise.

650x366_07181155_screen-shot-2016-07-18-at-7

When heat exhaustion is not addressed, heatstroke can follow.

Heatstroke is the most severe heat-related illness. Without emergency treatment, it can lead to death. It results when your body temperature rises to 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

"This is pretty complicated because a lot of things can happen. The short answer is it certainly can be fatal...," Peter Sananman, MD, assistant professor of emergency medicine at Penn Medicine, said.

At this temperature, your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles can also become damaged, leading to serious complications or death.

In the case of heatstroke, seeking medical attention is an absolute must, Sananman said.

In addition to a high body temperature, the symptoms of heatstroke include altered mental state or behavior, nausea and vomiting, flushed skin, rapid breathing, and racing heart rate.

GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+

"Generally, with heat exhaustion, a patient is sweating a lot, whereas with heat stroke, they’ve stopped sweating and are actually dry. It’s a good rule of thumb but isn’t always true," he said.

If heat exhaustion is suspected, Sananman advises to remove the sufferer from heat and cool them down, if possible.

This can be done by getting out of the sun and removing or loosening tight clothes, misting the body with water or placing ice packs in the armpits and groin.

Additionally, rehydration is key. Consume plenty of water and avoid beverages that contain alcohol, caffeine or high amounts of sugar, he said.

If you or someone else is experiencing heatstroke, seek immediate medical attention.

650x366_07181151_screen-shot-2016-07-18-at-7

How can you prevent heat-related illness?

Though it’s important to know how to identify heat exhaustion and heatstroke, both are preventable illnesses.

Have situational awareness, Sananman said.

"Recognize your own symptoms and either go to a cool location/rest or ask for help if you have difficulty getting around," he said.

Additionally, understand that the body does acclimatize to heat, but it will take days to do so.

"So if you haven't been in the heat in many weeks or months, just be aware that your body will not handle it as well as it may have in the past when you were acclimatized," he said.

Proactively hydrating will help keep the body at a safe temperature.

"Drink more than what you think you should," Kent Knable, EMS chief at Centre Life Link, said. "Once you start feeling thirsty, you’re actually dehydrated. So, you should be drinking to the point where you’re not feeling thirsty at all."

Additionally, respond immediately if you start feeling ill.

“If you’re starting to feel ill, or are not feeling well, get out of the sun. Get into the shade," Knable said. "Getting the sun off of you and some cool air blowing against you will help lower your temperature.”

More to read:

5 ways people stayed cool before air conditioning was invented
The hidden dangers of heat waves
Summer that was hot 'gritty nightmare' inspired Pulitzer-winning novel

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.

Report a Typo

Weather News

Weather News

At least 100 dead, major disaster declared after Texas flood

Jul. 7, 2025
video

Rain continues to fall in Texas as flooding death toll rises

Jul. 7, 2025
Weather News

The faces of the Texas flooding tragedy

Jul. 7, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe weather to rumble in the central US through the holiday weekend

Jul. 6, 2025
Weather News

Record sargassum seaweed piles up on Caribbean islands, Gulf

Jul. 2, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Weather News

Camp Mystic, site of deadly Texas flooding, is in 'Flash Flood Alley'

11 hours ago

Weather News

‘Oh my God, we’re floating’: What people faced in amid Texas floods

9 hours ago

Weather Forecasts

Flash flood threat to continue in central Texas into midweek

17 minutes ago

Weather News

How torrential flooding wrought tragedy at girls camp in Texas

16 hours ago

Severe Weather

Flooding downpours, severe thunderstorms to mitigate heat in East

18 minutes ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Travel

FAA investigating part of a Delta Air Lines wing fell onto a driveway

4 days ago

Health

Three hospitalized, 21 injured after bee attack in France

15 hours ago

Weather News

France leads Europe in saying au revoir to beach and park smoking

4 days ago

Weather News

125,000-year-old ‘fat factory’ run by Neanderthals discovered

15 hours ago

Weather News

An ambitious vision of a city built from lava

15 hours ago

Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...