Families seek relief as 90-degree temperatures sweep across Carolinas

Monday marked the 11th straight day of temperatures above 90 degrees in the Charlotte area, according to Channel 9 Meteorologist Ashley Kramlich.

The heat is creating dangerous conditions for anyone who may be spending time outside. Even across the county, more than 85 million Americans are under Heat Advisories.

MEDIC told Channel 9 that its crews responded to four heat-related calls in Charlotte Saturday, with two people being transported to an area hospital. All of those calls were made sometime after 11 a.m., according to MEDIC.

Reporter Erika Jackson spoke with the owner of a local ice cream truck who said this has been one of his busiest weekends.

“You can see the relief on their faces when they get that Italian ice or some type of a bomb pop. It seems like they just melt, the smile on their face, much relief,” David Turner said.

First responders in NC mountains see increase in heat-related illnesses

The 90-degree temperatures during the last several weeks have kept search and rescue crews busy in the North Carolina mountains. In Burke County, the fire marshal says 75% of their calls have been for heat-related illnesses.

First responders say part of the problem is people see views like the ones at the Linville Gorge and take off on one of the dozens of trails in the area, but don’t have enough water.

During the last month, Burke County Search and Rescue says it has responded to a dozen calls. The fire marshal, who loads up his truck every morning with water and ice, says three-quarters of those calls are heat-related.

Many of the search and rescues can take several hours because of the rugged terrain in the Gorge. Channel 9′s Dave Faherty spoke with Phil Phelan Monday, who is currently mapping the trails in the Gorge. He showed Faherty the bottles of water he went through Sunday on a eight-mile hike.

“I’m out 6 to 8 hours a day remapping, and at that time I go through about three liters of water,” Phelan said. “So 6 to 8 hours, and again, when I get back to the car, I’m still drinking more water.”

(WATCH BELOW: Meck County residents try to cool off as heat wave stretches into 12th day)

Meck County residents try to cool off as heat wave stretches into 12th day

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