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Austin working to open more emergency shelters as extreme heat continues

Austin-Travis County EMS has responded to 118 heat-related emergencies in the past two weeks.

AUSTIN, Texas — City of Austin leaders are working to open more emergency shelters for people experiencing homelessness in the extreme heat.

City outreach teams are looking for homeless encampments to hand out water to people and help them find shelter. But space is limited.

"This is a great example of why it is that we need more emergency shelters at the same time. Because the conditions of living on the street, I mean, they can be very extreme. They can be life threatening," Mayor Kirk Watson said.

Austin-Travis County EMS has responded to 118 heat-related emergencies in the past two weeks. About half of those calls were for people who suffered heat exhaustion while working outside or exercising outdoors.

As a reminder, symptoms of heat exhaustion include: 

  • Cool, pale, clammy skin
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Heavy sweating
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fast, weak pulse

Meanwhile, symptoms of heat stroke include:

  • Hot, red, dry or damp skin
  • Rapid and strong pulse
  • Throbbing headache
  • Confusion
  • Nausea or dizziness
  • Body temperature above 103 F
  • Lethargy or loss of consciousness

Learn more about heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other important things to keep in mind as our triple-digit temperatures continue.

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