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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 -105°F — Sunstroke, heat cramps with <br />prolonged exposure; and, <br />Heat Index of 80°F -90°F — 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 />