Oppressive heat again spanks the Lowcountry

MORNING HEADLINES | It’s going to be another miserable day – heck, another week – of dangerous July heat, although rain later this week may lower temperatures some. (But probably not the smothering humidity.)

The extreme heat warning that the Lowcountry is now under means “extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring,” according to the National Weather Service.

It recommends for people (and pets) to “Avoid outdoor activities, especially during the heat of the day. If you must be outside, be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Stay indoors in an air-conditioned space as much as possible, including overnight. Check on family and neighbors.”

It’s much the same in the rest of the state. Cooling shelters are open in Greenville, where temps reached a record high 100 degrees Fahrenheit over the weekend. Columbia also got into triple digits.

Other tips:

Stay hydrated. Drink even when you’re not thirsty, experts say. You can also eat fruits that have water in them. Put ice cubes in your water bottle. (But avoid salty foods and hot soups.) Make sure to hydrate before you go to bed. Remember: Caffeine and alcohol dehydrate you, so you might want to stay away from them while the temperatures are blistering.
Monitor your body. Watch for heat exhaustion, which the C.D.C. says can include heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, a weak pulse, nausea, cramps and more. If you experience symptoms, lie down, sip water, loosen clothes and even take a cool bath. You may need to seek medical attention if it worsens or your body temperature rises too high. Avoid strenuous exercise.

In other recent news:

WEEK IN REVIEW: Forest deal could lead to new state park. A look at how the purchase of 8,000 acres in Georgetown County could lead to a new state park.

CP OPINION, Brack: Two views of S.C. more than a century apart. “Just over 103 years ago, a German immigrant who grew up in Charleston published a flowery analysis of South Carolina as part of a two-year, 48-part series by The Nation magazine. The collection showcased “the distinctive colors of life” in a project dubbed ‘These United States.’ Fast forward to the present. In a special two-month issue of the magazine, The Nation has another go in looking at the state of the republic in a report that’s vastly different – ‘These Dis-United States.’”

What’s left of $23 million Folly Beach renourishment project. With the middle of hurricane season approaching, this story says much of the 180,000 dump trucks worth of sand is still on the beach about a year after contractors finished work last year. That hasn’t always been the case.

Gas prices down 1.1 cents in South Carolina. The average price was $2.76 on Sunday, down just over a penny from last week.

2026: Norman becomes 4th Republican to enter S.C. race for governor. Conservative Congressman Ralph Norman, 72, of Rock Hill entered the race to succeed term-limited S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster on Sunday. He brought with him some big endorsements — from former Gov. Nikki Haley and former U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint. More to know.

S.C. has some of nation’s top STD rates. It is in the top 10 states for sexually transmitted disease infections.