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• Heat Index of 105°F-130°F—Sunstroke, heat cramps, and <br /> heat exhaustion likely and heatstroke possible with <br /> prolonged physical activity; <br /> • Heat Index of 90'F-105OF — Sunstroke, heat cramps with <br /> prolonged exposure; and, <br /> • Heat Index of 80OF-90OF—Fatigue possible with prolonged <br /> exposure and physical activity (NWS, 1999b). <br /> Historic Events. The highest temperature ever recorded in <br /> the state was on June 29, 1931 at 109°F in Monticello at an <br /> elevation of 207 feet (NCDC, 2003b). From 1979-2003, <br /> excessive heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United <br /> States. During this period, more people in this country died <br /> from extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, <br /> floods, and earthquakes combined. In 2001, 300 deaths were <br /> caused by excessive heat exposure." (CDC, 2009)There were <br /> no data available to document previous occurrences of <br /> extreme heat by jurisdiction. <br /> Extent. The average annual high temperature for Indian River <br /> County is 81.4 degrees. The highest observed temperature <br /> recorded in Vero Beach was 100 degrees in June of 1950. The <br /> heat index, also known as the apparent temperature, is what <br /> the temperature feels like to the human body when relative <br /> humidity is combined with the air temperature. NOAA's <br /> National Weather Service Heat Index uses temperature and <br /> relative humidity to determine the apparent temperature. For <br /> example, if the air temperature is 100°F and the relative <br /> humidity is 55%, the heat index will be 124°F. The highest <br /> temperature in Indian River County would never be expected <br /> to exceed 124°F. Extreme heat is considered to have a low <br /> probability of occurrence, therefore this hazard will not be fully <br /> profiled. <br /> Vulnerability Assessment Extreme temperature events can <br /> have the following potential impacts within a community: <br /> • Electric power outage; <br /> • Human health and safety; <br /> • Psychological hardship; <br /> • Economic disruption; <br /> • Agricultural/fisheries damage; and <br /> • Damage to critical environmental resources; <br /> Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 40 <br />