It was the hottest day ever Wednesday, at least on record for the region.
Temperatures soared to a record 102 degrees at Sea-Tac Airport, while the mercury rose even higher in Bellevue. One sign at a Bel-Red bank said it all, advertising the temperature at 106 degrees around 1 p.m.
Residents found a variety of ways to beat the heat, with some playing hooky at local beaches while others hunkered down at the city’s air-conditioned community centers.
The Bellevue Regional Library was “packed to the gills,” according to King County Library System cluster manager Chapple Langemack.
“Every chair is taken and there are people sitting on the floor against the wall wherever they can find a space,” Langemack said around 2 p.m. “We’ve opened every available meeting room for extra seating and are serving ice water at the entrance. Parking, of course, is gridlock.”
Bellevue Parks resource manager Jerry Nissley said the city’s community centers each had up to 50 people who appeared to be seeking respite from the heat.
“They’re coming in and not actively participating in (scheduled) activities,” he said. “A lot of people just sit and read a magazine or enjoy a beverage.”
Meanwhile, air-conditioning units were in short supply today at area retailers. A check on availability at the Kirkland Costco revealed that the store had sold its 60 units within 10 minutes the previous day. Home Depot reportedly sold out of air conditioners in 20 minutes, and was also out of fans.
Among the hottest commodities at local grocery stores were water, bagged ice, water toys, and freezable gel packs.
QFC spokeswoman Kristin Maas said water and ice were selling particularly fast.
“It’s pretty much going out as it’s coming in,” she said. “Our warehouse is keeping us well-supplied, so it’s in stock, but moving fast.”
Overlake Hospital had a higher-than-usual volume in the emergency room, mainly because of athletes and outdoor workers coming in with heat-related illness, according to spokeswoman Karen Johnson. Most were treated for dehydration, Johnson said.
Health professionals have recommended staying hydrated, limiting outdoor time, and wearing light clothing to avoid heat-related problems.
Signs of heat exhaustion include headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and dizziness. Symptoms of heat stroke include extremely high body temperature; red, hot, or dry skin; rapid and strong pulse; nausea, confusion, and unconsciousness.
Health professionals have also recommended that people check regularly on the well-being of their elderly neighbors.
The Humane Society in Bellevue reported no uptick in emergency visits today. The center kept its dogs cool by washing them frequently and putting frozen food in their dishes.
“Dog-sicles” were a favorite treat among the canines, according to spokeswoman Divya Kumar.
“We put them in their bowls so they can lick them whenever they need to cool down,” she said.
Cats hardly noticed the heat, as they are kept at the center in an air-conditioned area.
The Humane Society suggests giving animals extra large water dishes and applying sunscreen to the noses and ears of cats and dogs during heat spells. Summer coat trimmings are also recommended, as are wading pools.
