The Alabama Department of Public Health advises the public to be alert to the warning signs of heat illnesses. The National Weather Service offices in Birmingham and Huntsville have issued forecasts for temperatures expected to reach 100 degrees F starting with the western counties of Alabama on Thursday and spreading across all of Central Alabama by Friday. Extremely hot weather is expected to continue through the weekend.

Heat-related illnesses occur when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. The Alabama Department of Public Health cautions everyone to be alert to the warnings that may signal help is needed.

Heat stroke, sometimes called sunstroke, is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes.

A blood shortage that started when severe weather blanketed the Southeast is now approaching emergency levels.

“Every summer is a struggle, when schools close and regular donors travel, but right now we are facing severe shortages for all blood types all across Alabama, Georgia and Florida,” said LifeSouth Community Blood Centers Vice President of Operations J.B. Bowles. “The storms that hit our region last week kept donors away, and we are still struggling to make up that deficit.”

Donors must be 17 or older, or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also required. Call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707 to find a blood drive near you. Included is a listing of all blood drives in this area for this week.

“Our goal is to keep every hospital supplied and have reserve blood on hand at LifeSouth, and right now there is no backup,” Bowles said.

The school year has ended and students enjoy long afternoons in the sun with friends and family. But what happens when the normal lunchtime routine that exists at school is gone? For many students in the state, getting three meals a day doesn’t come easy. The need for a free or reduced breakfast and lunch that is normally served by schools during the school day still remains when summer begins.

The Alabama Department of Education’s Child Nutrition section offers help for those that do not have access to nutritional, consistent meals. The Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer program are designed to fill the gap and make sure children can get the nutritious meals they need. Both programs were created to ensure children in low-income areas could continue to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations.

The Summer Feeding Service program has locations in many local communities in the state. Please contact the site for dates for participation.