The heat goes on
By Terry Murry on Thursday, July 11th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
COLUMBIA BASIN – Only slight cooling is predicted today in the Columbia Basin. Red flag warnings and excessive heat warnings are posted throughout the area. The National Weather Service is predicting daytime highs in the triple digits to upper 90s through Wednesday of next week.
The National Weather Service in Pendleton says Hermiston and Pasco broke records on Tuesday. In Pasco it reached 109 degrees, breaking 106 which was set in 1905. In Hermiston, where records have not been recorded as long, saw the 110-degree reading Tuesday breaking the old record of 106 set in 1968.
Heat is the top weather-related killer in the United States. Employers are advised to give workers who must be outside plenty of breaks and urge them to stay hydrated. That’s a big concern for Pendleton Public Works Director Jeff Brown. Normally, the Round-Up City has a noise ordinance that won’t allow work to begin until 7 a.m.
“When it is extreme heat like this, we along with any other companies can request from the city manager permission to start earlier, which we did,” he said.
City crews are now able to start work at 5:30 a.m. to prepare to start work at 6 a.m.
“It’s important for them to stay hydrated,” Community Development Director Tim Simons said. “There are OSHA rules about mandatory additional breaks. It’s tough on all of us.”
