Windy Weather Knocks Down Enormous Limbs From Huge Trees In The Park Over The Week-End, And Today Large Branch Falls On Car Blocking 46th Avenue NE

The windy, stormy weather over the week-end resulted in some very large tree limbs breaking off trees and falling to the ground at the Park.

And just a few hours ago a large branch fell on a Laurelhurst Elementary School teacher's car and blocked 46th Avenue NE temporarily until Seattle Public Schools came to cut up the tree and remove it from  the car and the road.

Here are pictures of a enormous branch that fell from a tree on the north east side of the Park yesterday.

And here are pictures of another large branch that fell from a tree near the Community Center and playground yesterday:

 

And pictures of a large branch that fell onto a car on 46th Avenue NE today blocking the car and shattering the windshield:

Get Ready for Some Heat This Week

This week is going to be a hot one, with temperatures to peak on Thursday at 90 degrees. Looks like summer is here!

Time to hit the Beach Club, if you're a member. Check out a post we did late July last summer when there was also a heatwave with huge numbers of people hanging out at the club until the minute it closed.

You can also head to a nearby wading pool, or a spraypark.

Or  take a drive to one of the two outdoor pools in the city, one in Magnolia and the other in West Seattle.

Also here are some Red Cross beat the heat tips from a post we did last July.

UPDATE:
Here is a list of precautions sent out July 6th by the Red Cross.

Cold Weather Tip From a Reader...

A reader sent us this tip:

"Maybe you'd like to remind the blog that it's time to unhook hoses to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting? That happened to us a few years ago and it was very expensive hiring a contractor to replace the pipes and rebuild the brickwork."

Looks like for the next several sunrises, it’s going to be well below freezing and maybe even dip into the teens according to one of the forecasts on Weather.com. You can check out Weather expert Cliff Mass details here.

Beat the Heat Tips from the Red Cross

Red Cross Encourages Taking Steps to Prevent Heat-Related Illness
American Red Cross
Release Date and Time: 07-29-2009 03:59:00 PM


SEATTLE, July 29, 2009 — As record breaking temperatures continue in the Northwest, the American Red Cross encourages individuals and families to take the necessary precautions for excessive heat in the coming days.

The very young and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the heat so it is important that families and friends check on them regularly. People with chronic health issues are also at greater risk and need to take special care to stay healthy in the heat.

Preventing Heat-Related Illness There are several precautions you can take to avoid heat-related injury and illness.

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing (light colors reflect away some of the sun's energy) and use a hat or an umbrella.

• Carry water or juice with you and drink frequently, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. Make sure to check on youth and elderly to make sure they have enough fluids.

• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increases metabolic heat.

• Avoid using salt tablets unless directed by a physician.

• Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do something physically demanding, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually between 4:00 and 7:00 a.m.

• Stay indoors as much as possible.

• Take regular breaks when engaging in physical activity on warm days. Take time out to find a cool place.

• Watch for signs of heat stroke: Heat stroke is life-threatening. The person's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals of heat stroke include –

· Hot, red, and usually dry skin, but in some cases such as during athletic activity while wearing a helmet, the skin may be moist ? Changes in consciousness

· Rapid, weak pulse, and

· Rapid, shallow breathing. Call 9-1-1 or your local EMS number.

· Move the person to a cooler place.

· Quickly cool the body by wrapping wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, place them on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels. o Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear.

· Keep the person lying down. For more safety tips please visit www.seattleredcross.org. For First Aid and CPR classes in King County, please call (206) 726-3534 or visit www.seattleredcross.org.