Harris County faces heat advisory, inland highs near 100 degrees

Inland Harris County faced highs in the upper 90s and heat index values up to 108 degrees as the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston office warned of a dangerous holiday-weekend heat pattern across Harris County. A Heat Advisory was in effect for Harris County from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 4, when widespread heat indices were expected to run around 105 to 107 degrees and climb even higher in some urban heat island areas.

Older adults, children, and anyone living with chronic illness were at the highest risk, especially households without reliable air conditioning. Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity lasting two to three days with temperatures above 90 degrees, and it is the weather hazard responsible for the highest number of annual deaths. Outdoor workers, children in summer camps, and anyone stuck outside during the hottest part of the day faced the sharpest exposure, while higher power bills could make it harder for some families to keep the A/C running long enough to stay safe.

Harris County Precinct 4 opened splash pads two hours earlier starting July 3, giving families free access from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at five parks across the precinct.

The Precinct 4 Constable’s Office scheduled Constable Mark Herman’s annual free watermelon giveaway for Tuesday, July 14, at 10 a.m. at Atkinson Farms Produce, 3217 Spring Cypress Road.

Officials urged residents to drink plenty of fluids, wear light-colored clothing, seek air-conditioned spaces, and never leave children or pets in vehicles. Heat illness can turn serious fast; confusion, fainting, vomiting, or trouble breathing should prompt immediate medical help.