The Gulf Coast is baking. As downtown Mobile heads into what forecasters say will be the hottest stretch of the summer, residents and visitors alike are finding there’s simply no escaping the heat this week.
Dangerous heat is expected to grip the region for days, with forecasters warning the heat index — how hot it actually feels when humidity is factored in — could climb as high as 113 degrees. For many out on the streets Sunday, the numbers matched the misery.
“They got a saying over here. ‘The devil came down and he sure did.’ It doesn’t make sense why it’s this hot,” said Brandon Moss, who was visiting Mobile.
Around downtown, people tried just about anything to cool off, with mixed success. Bricie Hoffner and Kynbria Burt took to electric scooters for a ride, hoping the breeze might offer some relief.
“Oh girl I’m sweating, riding around to get some cool air,” Hoffner said.
“I’m so hot, my wheels on the scooter bout to melt,” Burt added.
For Mobile resident Alex Jones, the heat wasn’t the only culprit — it was the thick, oppressive humidity that comes with living along the Gulf. “I would describe it as really thick. I mean, you can feel it almost like you could cut it with a knife,” Jones said.
With forecasts calling for even hotter conditions Monday and Tuesday, several people said they were reconsidering their plans for the coming days. “I’m not going back out,” Hoffner said. “I don’t think I’m going to come outside if that’s the case,” Moss said.
Jones, who was out walking his dog Luna, said the heat had him worried about more than just his own comfort. “It makes me a little worried for her, she doesn’t deal with the heat super well,” he said, keeping a close eye on his pet as they made their way through downtown.
When told the heat index could feel as hot as 113 degrees, Moss could barely process it. “113?” he asked, before pausing in disbelief once it was confirmed. “That doesn’t make any sense, that shouldn’t… that isn’t humanly. No,” he said.
Heat like this isn’t just uncomfortable, it can be dangerous. High heat and humidity make it harder for the body to cool itself through sweating, raising the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, particularly for children, older adults, outdoor workers and pets. This week, officials are urging residents to drink plenty of water, take frequent breaks indoors in air conditioning, and limit outdoor activity, especially during peak afternoon hours. Pet owners are also advised to watch for signs of heat stress in animals, avoid walking dogs on hot pavement, and make sure pets have access to shade and water.
As the heat wave continues to build through the week, Gulf Coast residents are being reminded that a little extra caution now can prevent serious health problems later — even if, as more than one Mobile local put it, the temperatures this week barely feel real.