JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A new study by Climate Central found that more than 60,000 people in Jacksonville feel temperatures at least 9 degrees hotter than their neighbors, and 67% of the city feels 8 degrees or hotter than surrounding areas.
The Urban Heat Index looks at the temperature of areas called “heat islands.”
But how can living in a “heat island” area impact the city’s most vulnerable residents?
According to the National Weather Service, heat is the No. 1 factor in weather-related deaths with 207 reported last year.
Rip currents were the next closest with 91, followed by tornadoes.
There were just three hurricane deaths in the U.S. last year.
The groups most at risk from the heat are people who are pregnant, newborns, children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses.
Extreme heat has been associated with low birth weight, preterm birth, infant mortality and congenital cataracts.
Newborns are extra sensitive to heat because their ability to regulate body temperature is limited.
Children under 4 years old are also less able to adapt to heat than adults.
Older adults, especially those with pre-existing diseases, who take certain medications, live alone or have limited mobility, are at higher risk of heat illnesses.
Jacksonville ranks 54th hottest among major metro areas in the Climate Central study. Larger cities like New York and San Francisco sit atop the list.
Within Jacksonville, the Downtown Core, where around 11,000 people live, is the hottest, around 9 degrees hotter than the average.
For more results from the Climate Central report, click here.