Heat, humidity complicate Va. firefighting efforts
The Virginian-Pilot
CHESAPEAKE, Va. — The heat and humidity that prompted a heat advisory Sunday will be repeated today.
Highs are expected to reach into the low 90s with a heat index of about 100 degrees, said Evan Stewart, a meteorologist with WVEC-TV. There is a chance of isolated storms, especially in the afternoon and evening.
On Sunday, the heat and humidity complicated firefighting efforts in Chesapeake.
A house fire in the 4000 block of Lake View Drive caused extensive damage to the two-story structure and displaced two adults. A Chesapeake firefighter was sent to the hospital with what were thought to be heat-related injuries, said Capt. Mike Thibeault, a Chesapeake fire spokesman. Suffolk firefighters were called to help while the Chesapeake firefighters recovered from working in the heat.
Storms that swept through Virginia knocked out power to more than 4,300 customers Sunday. Dominion Virginia Power reported about 2,300 customers without power across the state as of Sunday afternoon, including 2,100 in southeastern Virginia. Appalachian Power said 1,959 customers were without power in southwestern Virginia.
Stewart also said the National Hurricane Center is watching a disturbance in the Atlantic Ocean. It has a 50 percent chance of developing into a tropical cyclone, according to the center's website. Tropical activity this early in the season is unusual, Stewart said, and could be an indicator of an active hurricane season to come.
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