EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
It got a little too hot for some people at Saturday's graduation ceremonies.
The high heat Saturday morning at Harrison High School's outdoor graduation sent five to the hospital.
The ceremony began at 9:00 a.m., and Evansville AMR tells 14 News it's really the first weekend this year of extreme heat and many people simply weren't prepared.
Ambulances and the fire department were on-scene helping those overcome by heat. AMR says five people were transported to the hospital.
Some people attending graduation say they enjoyed the chance to use the new Romain Stadium, but didn't like being out in the weather.
"Some young children, you know, I have a special needs son and it got a little too hot for him. That's what I was worried about, you know. The elderly people, you know, it was too hot for them," said Ericka Lowery, who attended the graduation. "I think they should move it back inside. It's a nice facility and everything, or maybe have it at nighttime."
Many local high schools are following the tradition of holding graduation outside. But now, some are questioning whether or not that's a good idea considering the hot weather. Did the school system do anything to prevent this from happening?
With temps approaching 100 degrees, the tri-state is experiencing its first heat wave of the season.
"Any time there is a heat wave, we tell people two things. One, drink more fluid than you're use to, and by 'fluid' I mean clear fluid, sports drinks. We also say, if you can, avoid being out on the hottest part of the day," said Dr. John Honningford with St. Mary's Convenient Care.
Dr. Honnigford says he hasn't yet seen many cases of either heat exhaustion or heat stroke, but he says both are a real possibility with this summer-like weather.
"It's certainly something that happens during the hottest part of the year. There are some people who are more likely to get it than others. So, people who are at risk are, of course, the very young and the very old and people who have medical conditions," said Honnigford.
"At Harrison, we did have, to my knowledge, two people who were taken to the hospital with heat-related symptoms, and a few others that were treated there at the scene, given ice and things like that to take with them," said Marsha Jackson with the EVSC.
Jackson says the temperature at the time of the incident was just 84 degrees, With the certainty of rising temperatures at other ceremonies, Jackson says they are doing what they can to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
"We are providing water, free for anybody who wants some. And we're just asking everybody to take necessary precautions, to think about the heat and who should be out in it, and who shouldn't," said Jackson.
Since more heat has been forecasted for the coming days, Dr. Honnigford says that those who will be working, or just spending time outside, will want to pay close attention to their fluid intake. He encourages anyone experiencing symptoms of heat-related illness to seek medical attention.
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