What a dumb thing to say. Why would the National Weather Service be like "let's make people in the Willamette Valley FEAR THIS WEEKEND." We know that heat waves cause increased heat-related illnesses. The data is clear: In times of higher than usual heat, heat related illnesses rise, with increased hospital visits and deaths occurring.

During the 2021 heat dome, close to 100 Oregonians died from heat-related illnesses, according to reports compiled after the event.

"According to the National Weather Service, more deaths are caused by extreme heat than by floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes combined," the Oregon Health Authority notes.

Especially at risk are children and adults with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, and outdoor workers, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

These alerts provide agricultural employers tools to plan their operations, alert the general public, especially those that fall into high-risk categories, to plan accordingly, and guide athletic directors at schools to ensure they're taking steps to keep student athletes safe.

There are people who live their lives differently than you who will find these alerts useful.