Summer Weather Awareness Campaign 2025 kicks into gear
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As spring weather turned to a blistering heat index in late June, the weather seemed to take its cue from Ohio Emergency Management Agency, which recently sent out its annual Summer Weather Awareness Campaign 2025 information.
The goal of the campaign is to alert the public on the dangers that can accompany the hot temperatures of summer.
Last summer saw multiple heat waves roll through Ohio with 90 F highs including prolonged stretches in mid‑June and late August that left Ohio looking scorched and barren. With a persistent lack of rainfall that worsened drought conditions over summer, a new statewide annual high temperature record was set.
During those months heat exhaustion and heat stroke surged in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Health alerted residents in June, July and August that symptoms including heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion, cramps and fainting — all signs of heat exhaustion that can escalate into life-threatening heat stroke — were on the rise.
ODH also reported a sharp rise in heat-related hospital and emergency department visits. In July and August 2024, Ohio’s extreme heat put added strain on hearts — especially for those with existing conditions. ODH explicitly warned individuals with heart disease, hypertension, kidney illness, or on medications like diuretics and antihypertensives to be highly cautious.
In addition, strokes, kidney strain and breathing difficulties rose at an alarming rate last year, and with plenty of days of extended heat expected again in 2025, these same issues could arise should the public not take the necessary precautions.
According to Jason Troyer, Holmes County EMA director, the campaign features five different awareness topics.
The first is emergencies focusing on extreme heat. Zeroing in on heat index, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, the safety tips include staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activity, staying cool, checking in on others, especially the elderly, and never leaving children and pets inside vehicles.
The second topic is air quality, focusing on understanding the meaning behind air quality.
Air quality refers to how clean or polluted the air is. The daily air quality ranges from zero (good) to 500 (hazardous). Air quality can be especially worrisome to those with asthma, allergies and the elderly, with pollutants like smoke, dust and goldenrod causing problems.
To find the daily air quality, visit www.AirNow.gov.
