Galveston County Daily News
By Bridget Brown

Correspondent  

Published June 29, 2009

With electric signs flashing sweltering temperatures, it was too hot to think about mowing the lawn. 

“We’ll do our yard work later when it cools off,” Santos Mancha, of Santa Fe, said. “We are staying inside and watching as much TV as we can.” 

Santos waited in line with his daughter, Stephanie Santos, at Snohut Snoballs in Santa Fe hoping the sweet, cool taste of flavored, shaved ice could halt the heat. 

The Galveston County Health District issued a press release urging prevention and common sense. 

The district urged people to stay cool, drink plenty of fluids, wear cool clothing and take it easy on their outdoor activities. 

Children and the elderly are most severely affected by the heat and can quickly become dehydrated. 

It’s important to begin drinking fluids at least 30 minutes before going outdoors, the health district said. 

“Drink a lot of water and eat watermelon — that’s what we do,” Mark Rush, of Santa Fe, said as his daughter and granddaughter slid down a blowup water slide in the driveway. 

“Galveston County weather is funny. The spring was so long and cool.” 

Though no daily temperature records have been set during June, the month has been the eighth warmest June for the city of Galveston since records began in 1887, National Weather Service meteorologist Charles Roeseler, said. 

“It’s been very hot every day, and it hasn’t rained,” Roeseler said. 

“When you combine the May and June rainfall, it’s the driest combination we’ve ever had on the island.” 

Just 0.51 inches of rain has fallen during May and June, Roeseler said, noting it has been the fourth warmest May and June combination. 

“It does look like we are going to stay warm in early July, and then maybe there will be a pattern change mid-month,” Roeseler said. 

It’s important to stay out of the midday sun, wear light, loosefitting clothing and drink, nonalcoholic drinks — especially water, Roeseler said. 

The health district also urged people to never leave a person or a pet in a closed, parked car in hot weather, even for a short time. 

If you do think you have heat illness, move to a cooler place, rest a few minutes and slowly drink something cool.