As the mercury rises across the Tar Heel State, Governor Josh Stein has announced May 25-31 as North Carolina Heat Awareness Week. According to a press release on the Governor's official website, this initiative aims to shed light on the resources available to residents to combat the dangers of soaring temperatures. “North Carolina state agencies and community partners are working to make sure North Carolinians have the resources they need to stay safe when temperatures soar,” Governor Stein stated. His call to action comes amidst concerns that the summer of 2025 could see even hotter temperatures than the previous year, which already set new heat records.
In 2024, North Carolina dealt with a significant spike in heat-related illnesses, with emergency department visits jumping to 4,688 instances—a nearly 20% increase from 2023. To assist communities in handling such extreme weather, the state introduced several initiatives, including the Resiliency Program, the Heat Action Plan Toolkit, and the Planning for Extreme Heat Cohort. These programs were designed to not only educate but also to provide practical guidance on how to effectively plan for, and respond to, heatwave events. Yet, with federal budget and staffing cuts affecting agencies like the CDC and EPA, programs supporting heat safety could now be on the chopping block, potentially stripping vital health alert systems and resources that assist vulnerable populations, including outdoor workers and individuals with underlying health conditions.
The potential gap in funding and support comes at a critical time. “Our environmental health and epidemiology teams conduct critical work every day to inform North Carolinians of potential health effects of extreme heat, as well as ensure resources are available for those who experience heat-related illness," Dev Sangvai, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, pointed out. Recognizing symptoms of heat illness—such as heavy sweating, dizziness, and nausea—is vital in preventing serious complications or even death. This condition places infants, older adults, and low-income individuals at an especially high risk, as per the Governor's Office report.
Beyond raising awareness, the state is actively seeking to mitigate the impact of extreme heat via NCDHHS Operation Fan Heat Relief, which is ongoing through Oct. 31. Those in need can check the DHHS’s website to see if they qualify for a free fan to help endure the hot summer months. Yet, this measure, while helpful, may only be a band-aid solution as North Carolina residents and the state machinery gear up to potentially face one of the hottest summers on record.
