HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRO-2026-026-Heat Awareness Week Proclamation (2) 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 2841 ;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
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 19t" Day of May , 2026 .
an Hamilton , Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
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