Rhode Island and Mass. aren’t alone in heat wave as 185 million face dangerous temperatures

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Across the U.S. more than 185 million people are facing life-threatening heat.

Along with Rhode Island and Massachusetts, New York City has activated its heat emergency plan, providing access to cooling centers and conducting outreach to at-risk communities.

Frontline workers said they’ve been treating heat-related illnesses nonstop.

“Today has been busy from the word go. We started riding calls early this morning and it was 90 degrees at 9 a.m. So it has been non-stop for heat illnesses,” said Mary Meeks, District Chief of EMS with Chatham Emergency Services.

In the south, parts of Florida are expecting it to feel as hot as 116 degrees.

The EPA said the most serious health impacts of a heat wave are often associated with warm overnight temperatures.

The CDC said if the air stays too warm at night, the body faces extra strain trying to regulate temperature.

Without the temperature drop, vulnerable populations like seniors, children and those with pre-existing conditions face more risks.

High heat in the evening also correlates with worse sleep, which can impair immune function, increase the risk of chronic conditions and exacerbate mental health issues.

An underlying danger of these high temperatures is the heat index that represents when the temperature feels higher than it actually is due to humidity.