Petersburg: Reporter hits beat to see how locals cope with heat wave, interviews 12 people

PETERSBURG — This Social Butterfly walked the streets of Old Towne in 97-degree heat to see how locals have been coping with the extreme temperatures we have been experiencing this summer. On Tuesday, July 16, I started near Croaker's Spot restaurant and searched for impromptu interviewees along E. Old, N. Sycamore, E. Washington and W. Tabb streets.

I wore thin and light 100% cotton clothing and put my hair in a ponytail to stay as cool as possible. It truly did not make a difference. I sweat like I was sitting in a sauna. I had to keep dabbing my forehead with my one tissue I had tucked in my pocket. It got so wet I probably could have wrung it out. I opted to use the top of my tank top straps instead. At one point, the sunscreen I rubbed on my face for protection started creeping into my eyes and it stung like crazy.

Petersburg: How do people cope during heat waves?

My first victim was Max Butler of Nashville, Tennessee who was walking two dogs with his significant other. The four of them will soon move to Chesterfield. As if dressed for the occasion, he was wearing a The Ohio Weather Band t-shirt. "Honestly, it's warmer in Tennessee. It's like 105, give or take, there. I drink a lot of water when I'm warm and sweat."

I had not planned on stepping into business establishments; however, I quickly decided it was necessary. Zoe Parks, a head chef/manager at Soul Rebel, graciously provided a quote, "It's hot. I'm melting. I'm from Connecticut, and it's my first summer from Virginia. It's a humid hot, sticky. I drink a lot of water and eat grapes."

My third interviewee Taivon Jones of Petersburg surprisingly had on two long-sleeved shirts. "I figured I would throw on a shirt like this over my work shirt, because I can take it off in the car. I'm prepared for any type of weather."

Jones commented on how he prefers colder temperatures. This left me puzzled as to why he was so bundled up. "I'm on my way to get a bottle of water now," he stated. Dressed like he was, I would have needed a gallon of water.

Dinwiddie Residents, Sheila Olsen and her friend Charlene [I apologize, I forgot to get her last name, but hey... I spelled her first name correctly. Ha!] were hanging out together at Longstreet's Deli. Each were eager to help this roaming reporter out.

"During the summer heat, I stay relaxed and enjoy drinks with friends," Olsen said. Charlene opted to stay inside as much as possible. She got a pedicure and grabbed a drink with a friend.

Cheryl Easter of Petersburg, just as kind as can be, was seated on a bench in the shade along N. Sycamore Street. She was holding a large jug of water. "I stay inside to keep cool and drink plenty of water. I drink six of these a day," she said. Easter drinks a lot of water also because she's a plasma donor.

Yippee! I stopped to count the number of victims I had so far, and I was halfway to my goal of a dozen.

Keith Mack of Petersburg wearing long sleeves and overalls was seated near the intersection of E. Washington and N. Sycamore streets. By this time, I felt like I had been trekking through the Sahara Desert. Mack stated he was hot. "I drink plenty of water because I work outside," he said. Then, he sweetly added, "God bless you. Have a nice day."

I walked into Pete's Grill, looked into the mirror on the wall and a drenched raccoon stared back at me. LOL! The mascara from my eyelashes had outlined both of my eyes. Thank goodness I had my soggy tissue to fix my face.

The Pete's Grill crew are a lively bunch. I quickly made a mental note to dine their soon. Employee Cory Goode of Petersburg shared, "It's hot as hell, and I'm miserable. For real, I stay in from outside and drink a lot of ice water."

The lunch bunch peeps behind the counter summoned the owner, Pete Karousos of Colonial Heights, from the back to hear what response he would provide to me. "VEPCO and Dominion Power love me. I close at four o'clock and go sit in the pool. That's what I do."

I crossed the street to Allusions Barber & Beauty where Dr. John Hicks of Dinwiddie was getting trimmed up. "I mainly stay inside to stay cool and maximize self-time by reading and using audible books," he said. Hicks also gives back to the community by checking on senior citizens to see if they're staying cool.

"I do a wellness check by eyesight and casual conversation in the shade," Hicks added.

At Hotel Petersburg, Blake Wright, employed by Atlantic Makers, was outside working on some wood fascia. "I drink plenty of water and go inside some of the time."

My final local individual was U.S.P.S. mail carrier, of 18 years, Pamela Taylor of Petersburg. "I drink lots of fluid and go into air-conditioned buildings as often as possible. I just returned from the Bahamas yesterday, and it's hotter here."

National Weather Service at Wakefield: Meteorologist Jonathan McGee

I picked meteorologist Jonathan McGee's brains for weather info on Thursday morning, July 18. "For now, the heat wave is over with. We're not going to be as hot here as we have been for at least until next week or so. Actually, we’re going to be closer to where we should be for this time of year which is high temperatures in the mid to upper 80s, close to 90 degrees," he reported.

The second heat wave in July ended on Wednesday the 17th, according to McGee.

"The high temperature yesterday was around 94, 95 degrees, so we had five days in a row where it was in the mid-90s between 94 and 97 degrees. Earlier in the month from July 4 to the 10th, we also had a stretch where it was the mid to upper 90s each of those seven days," he shared.

Petersburg, Virginia: Weekend forecast, July 19 -21, 2024

"This weekend, it will be a little bit below normal as far as high temperatures go. We have a mid to upper 80s so like 85 to 88 Friday through Sunday. There will be some opportunity for some rain in there. It looks like Friday should be dry with maybe an afternoon shower or perhaps a thunderstorm around. We're thinking Saturday and Sunday we'll have a better chance. We're also thinking there will be a chance for showers and thunderstorms both Saturday and Sunday," McGee stated.

Have a fun summer and stay as cool as possible. Remember to be like Dr. Hicks and check on friends and neighbors.

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Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on X and @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg: Reporter hits beat to see how peeps cope with extreme heat