NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — From construction workers to first-time visitors, the weather is impacting all of Nashville.
Storm 5 Meteorologist Bree Smith tells us we hit a record high of 102 degrees Thursday, breaking the record back in 1897. It is also the hottest reading of any day in Nashville since 2012.
The intense heat has also reached 100 degrees three days in a row this week.
"Hot!" said one 4-year-old visitor. "So hot!"
"I was born and raised here. It doesn't matter. The heat gets worse every year," said a local.
One could argue the heat is even more intense on the job.
Grant Wilson, who's been working at a construction site in 12 South this week, said being in the sun all the time can be exhausting.
"It's like you're getting melted by the sun almost," he said. "If you're weak-minded, you're not gonna make it."
While workers know the drill — they take breaks and fill up on water and electrolytes — Wilson said it still takes a toll.
"Especially when you're in it multiple days in a row, that's when it starts to take an effect on your body even more," he said.
Thankfully, with the temperatures set to decrease going into the weekend, Wilson and his team may able to get some relief.
Since Monday, the Department of Emergency Communications says they have responded to at least 31 heat-related calls for service.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at nikki.hauser@newschannel5.com.
I LOVE Forrest's stories on the history of NewsChannel 5 as we celebrate our 70th anniversary. Here's a story I wasn't familiar with until recently. Eudora Boxley had a live cooking show in the early days of the station. She may have been the first black on air at NewsChannel 5 and perhaps, one of the first African Americans to have a TV cooking show anywhere in the country. It wasn't until her grandson reached out to me that I even heard of Ms. Boxley. Thankfully, I was able to connect him with Forest to learn more about this great nugget in NewsChannel 5 history.
-Lelan Statom
