WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The construction crew outside Tuckerbox, hard at work in heavy reflective safety gear on a road improvement project, has been taking more breaks and drinking more water than usual.
“It’s a challenge,” said Jason Nott, superintendent of Nott’s Excavation. “In construction, so much heat radiates off of the asphalt.
“The hard hats help,” Nott said with two knuckle raps to the top of his, noting that at work 90-degree temperatures can quickly feel like 120.
With temperatures in the 90s expected to continue through next week, extreme heat is taking its toll on the Upper Valley. Heat-related illnesses are more common when temperatures start cresting over the mid-80s, which has been occurring more often each year.
In response to increasingly hot summers in the region, the Vermont Department of Health has released a new map that makes it easy to find publicly available spaces to cool off, including air-conditioned buildings, beaches and pools.
The release from the Department of Health announcing the map warned that extreme heat and humidity can result in muscle cramps, heavy sweating, nausea, headache or dizziness, which could all indicate the onset of more serious heat illness.
Lebanon Fire Chief Chris Christopoulos said that emergency medical services wants people to be cautious: Avoid drinks with alcohol and caffeine, try to stay out of the sun as much as possible and dress appropriately.
“And most importantly, drink lots of fluids,” Christopoulos said. “Even when you’re not thirsty.”
In the heat mitigation business, Ice Cream Fore-U owner Jennifer Johnson said that lines have been noticeably longer in the higher temperatures.
For particularly hot days like these, she recommends the Orange Burst from her menu.
“It doesn’t melt as fast in the milkshake cups,” Johnson said.
The Bugbee Senior Center in White River Junction is included on the Department of Health’s map of areas where residents can go to cool down and get a drink of water.
“We love having people come and hang out,” said Alec Struver, Bugbee’s administrator. “Plus, we have a new AC installed.”
Bugbee also serves lunch Monday through Friday, as well as providing other programs such as bingo.
Over butterscotch pudding during lunch on Wednesday, White River Junction resident Francisco Reyes said Bugbee is a good place to come and cool down.
“It’s definitely much hotter these days,” Reyes said.
“It’s the humidity that gets me,” Nancy Jarvis, of White River Junction, said from the next table over. Jarvis suffers from respiratory health issues, which makes the ability to escape from the heat all the more crucial.
Struver said it is especially important for seniors to stay cool and hydrated. He also cautions against using stoves or ovens during extreme heat as they can make kitchens hotter and suggests checking up on friends and having other people check up on you.
Across the river, Lebanon Library and Kilton Library will be open as cooling areas through Sunday.
“People who are unhoused use this space a lot for cooling off,” Kilton director Sean Fleming said. “You’re much more vulnerable when you don’t have your own air conditioning.”
The map of cooling stations can be found at healthvermont.gov/climate/heat or by calling 211.
Frances Mize is a Report for America corps member. She can be reached at fmize@vnews.com or 603-727-3242.