Health Department Urges Caution During Heat Advisory
Published on August 14, 2025
The National Weather Service (NWS) today issued a heat advisory for Lincoln and Lancaster County from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, August 15, and Saturday, August 16.
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department urges residents to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses including staying cool and hydrated. For more information on how to stay safe in extreme heat, visit
lincoln.ne.gov/heat.
Know your risk
Anyone can suffer from heat-related illnesses but some people are at greater risk than others including:
- Infants, young children, pregnant people and older adults whose bodies are less able to adapt to heat
- People with disabilities or certain health conditions (like heart disease, asthma, diabetes, obesity, and mental health conditions)
- Outdoor workers and people who exercise outside
- People without air conditioning or water to drink
- Pets, service or support animals and livestock
Stay cool
- Try to limit your outdoor activity to the coolest parts of the day or evening.
- Wear loose, light-colored clothing and sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when outside.
- Rest frequently in shaded areas or air-conditioned spaces.
- Find air-conditioned places to cool off. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help prevent heat-related illnesses. During regular business hours, all Lincoln City Libraries, Lincoln Parks and Recreation centers are available as cooling centers. Aging Partners Senior Centers are also available. Visit lincoln.ne.gov/AgingPartners for schedules or call 402-441-7070.
- Use a fan to cool off, only when indoor temperatures are less than 90 degrees. Aging Partners has a limited number of fans for distribution on a first-come-first-served basis to adults age 60 and over. No financial screening is needed. For more information, call 402-441-8815.
Stay hydrated
- Drink plenty of water and don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink.
- Limit alcohol and drinks with caffeine.
- Monitor infants and children for fluid intake.
Check on others – people and pets
- Never leave children or pets in a parked car.
- Check on family, friends and neighbors who may be a higher risk for heat-related illness or who live alone. Make sure they stay cool and hydrated.
- Pets can suffer from heat-related illness too. If your pet spends its days outside, make sure it has plenty of fresh water and shade. Keep paws away from hot pavement. Check on pets frequently or bring them indoors if possible.
If you see a pet in a hot car or outside without shade or water for an extended period of time, call Animal Control at 402-441-7900.
Stay informed
- Know the signs of heat illness. If your body gets too hot, you can get sick.
Heat exhaustion can develop following exposure to high temperatures. Symptoms include heavy sweating, rapid heartbeat, cold, pale clammy skin, nausea, dizziness, weakness, and fatigue.
Heat stroke, the most serious heat-related illness, is a medical emergency characterized by a body temperature of above 103 degrees or greater. Symptoms include hot, red skin, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, confusion, passing out.
Anyone suffering from these conditions should be moved into the shade or air conditioning. If heatstroke or serious heat exhaustion is suspected, get emergency medical assistance.
- Check the NWS website at weather.gov or your local media for weather updates.
Local extreme heat resources
Additional information on extreme heat