GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — With heat advisories across the state, health experts say outside workers and vulnerable communities are more likely to be impacted by heat-related illnesses and death.

What You Need To Know

2023 is one of the hottest years on record, and Spectrum News 1 meteorologists say 2024 is on pace to keep up with that trend

Heat-related illnesses were three times as likely in July and August of 2023, compared to in May, June and September, according to the CDC

Vulnerable communities are more likely to be impacted by heat-related illnesses

Those living outside say rechargeable fans and ways to hydrate are helpful in these summer conditions

According to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), outside workers, pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions are more sensitive to the heat.

The report shows that 92% of all emergency room visits for heat-related illnesses in 2023 happened between May and September. The emergency room visits were three times as likely to happen in July and August.

Spectrum News 1 meteorologists say 2023 was one of the hottest years in recorded history, and 2024 is on track to keep up with that trend. 

People who live outside, in encampments and in homes without air conditioning are also more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.

Dave and his wife have been living in a camp in Gaston County for six years, after a new landlord increased their rent to a figure the couple could no longer afford.

"It's unbearable...being out in the heat," said Dave, who did not want to share his last name. "No way to really take showers or anything."

He and his wife look for places in the shade, where they can recharge their portable fans and hydrate.

"You can always put on more clothes, you can always find ways to cover up and keep warm, but you can never find enough ways to stay cool," said Dave.

Dallas High Shoals Christian Ministry offers a hot meal and two bags of essentials a week to those who need it.

Executive Director Leah Hedgpath says fans and jugs of water are often what they get asked for. 

"It extends [to] more than just someone who doesn't have a home. We have several that have a shelter, but that's all that it is," said Hedgpath. "They don't have running water. They don't have electricity. They don't have a way of cooking their food, storing their food, cleaning properly and so they kind of fall in that category of needing these types of items as well." 

Dave says cold water and ice is what they need to help stay hydrated this summer.