HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05-19-2026; 8-f - Heat Awareness Week Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 19, 2026
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-f
SUBJECT: Heat Awareness Week Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: County Manager
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Mel Gilles, Sustainability Projects
Analyst, 919-245-2300
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation declaring May 18-22, 2026, as "Orange County Heat
Awareness Week."
BACKGROUND: Extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S.,
claiming more lives in most years than hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes combined. In Orange
County, it poses serious health risks, especially for residents most vulnerable to heat-related
illness, outdoor workers, the unhoused, and those without adequate cooling and insulation or the
means to afford high summer energy bills. As summer temperatures continue to rise and
misconceptions about heat risk persist, the need to cool community residents and educate the
public has become increasingly urgent.
Orange County is experiencing more days and nights of dangerously high temperatures. Globally,
2023, 2024, and 2025 were the three hottest years on record, and 2024 saw twelve (12) days
above 95°F — compared to a historical average of eight (8) days. By the 2060s, that number is
projected to increase to 28-41 days annually, along with more days above 90°F and nights above
70°F, limiting the body's ability to recover and increasing the risk of heat-related illness.
Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and current Governor Josh Stein have previously
proclaimed North Carolina Heat Awareness Week during late May to raise awareness of the
state's continued climate warming trend and highlight newly available State resources to support
local communities in their efforts to reduce impacts of extreme heat.
The Orange County Heat Awareness Week proclamation will encourage the community to
prepare in advance for high summer temperatures and the significant health risks residents and
workers experience during hot weather. It will also kick off the Orange County Beat the Heat
campaign, a four-month series of heat-related social media posts to educate the public about the
impacts of extreme heat.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with the consideration of this
proclamation.
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ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE ACTION
OBJECTIVE 3. Improve educational opportunities for County staff and community
members on climate action and available resources to advance climate action projects.
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 6. Provide sustainable, equitable, and high-quality community safety and
emergency services to meet the community's evolving needs.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the proclamation.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
HEAT AWARENESS WEEK
May 18-22, 2026
WHEREAS, extreme heat is known to significantly impact health through heat-related
illness or death and worsening of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and
cerebrovascular disease; and
WHEREAS, heat season starts in Orange County in June and the greatest health risks
occur in the first weeks of the heat season as people's bodies adjust to the heat; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, the National Weather Service issued twelve (12) Heat Advisories,
two (2) Excessive Heat Warnings, and two (2) Excessive Heat Watches in Orange
County; and
WHEREAS, climate change is responsible for more frequent and severe heat waves and
this warming trend is expected to continue; and
WHEREAS, between 1983 and 2014, on average, Orange County experienced
temperatures greater than 95 degrees on eight (8) days per year and by the 2060s,
Orange County will likely experience these high temperatures on 28-41 days per year;
and
WHEREAS, Orange County and other North Carolina communities, both urban and rural,
now have more nights with temperatures that do not go below 70 degrees, and the risk
of heat-related illness and death increases when temperatures stay high overnight; and
WHEREAS, heat-related illnesses can affect anyone, regardless of age or physical
condition, disproportionately affecting infants and children, pregnant women, older adults,
outdoor workers, athletes, low-income individuals who are more likely to live in locations
without easy access to air conditioning, and people with underlying health conditions; and
WHEREAS, summer temperatures in urban heat islands in Orange County can be up to
eleven (11) degrees warmer than surrounding areas and these urban heat islands are
located in low income, communities of color that have fewer trees and more pavement;
and
WHEREAS, heat-related illnesses are preventable, and monitoring and minimizing the
health risks associated with heat is a shared responsibility; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina has recognized heat as an important threat to the
health and well-being of residents and has collaborated with scientists, health experts,
and community leaders to develop heat resilience resources; and
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WHEREAS, Orange County has partnered with the Towns of Chapel Hill, Hillsborough
and Carrboro to draft a Heat Action Plan to build local resilience to the health impacts of
extreme heat and other climate hazards;
NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby
proclaim May 18 — May 22, 2026, as "HEAT AWARENESS WEEK" in Orange County,
and commend its observance to all people;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
encourages community members to sign up for OC Alerts and monitor both
orangecountync.gov/heat and facebook.com/orangecountyncgov for heat advisories and
excessive heat warnings; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners urges
the community to take simple steps to stay safe during heat waves, such as reducing time
outside, visiting cooling centers if you do not have access to air conditioning in your home,
and staying hydrated to help reduce heat stress and improve the health of our community.
This the 19th Day of May, 2026.
Jean Hamilton, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners