WHEELING W.Va. — First responders and volunteers are preparing for potential record-breaking high temperatures during flood recovery efforts early this week.

The National Weather Service Pittsburgh has issued an extreme heat watch for the Ohio Valley that went into effect Sunday afternoon and will last until 8 p.m. Wednesday.

David Shallenberger, a lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, said Wheeling was supposed to heat up Sunday, with a forecasted high of 94 degrees. Temperatures will remain high through today, Tuesday and Wednesday, with predicted highs of 94 degrees, 95 degrees and 93 degrees, respectively. High temperatures will be reached between 2 and 4 p.m. every day.

These temperatures could possibly tie record-highs for June 22 and June 23. The predicted high for today ties the record-high temperature of 94 degrees.

Humidity will drive up the heat index, as temperatures early this week are expected to feel over 100 degrees. Shallenberger added that afternoon showers and thunderstorms, which are possible from today onwards, may “lessen the impact” of the heat.

Shallenberger advises at-risk groups, such as the elderly and young children, to avoid exposure to high temperatures for extended time periods. He noted that anyone participating in relief efforts from flash flooding June 14 must “do more than drink plenty of fluids” to stay safe as they perform intense labor in the heat.

“Even taking in plenty of water is not just enough by itself — some breaks need to be taken,” Shallenberger said. “People must do whatever it takes to find relief from the heat, whether that’s sitting inside or in the shade. Breaks have to be taken.”

Lou Vargo, director of the Wheeling-Ohio County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, has been preparing first responders to continue recovery efforts in the heat. Vargo said they have asked community partners offering donations to bring Gatorade and other fluids.

“We’re going to have the National Guard and Department of Highways out there, not to mention all the volunteers working with all the people affected to get their houses cleaned up,” Vargo said. “We’ve been accepting donations and have a lot of water ready to pass out.”

The Ohio County EMA is also partnering with WVU Medicine to prepare a four-bed mobile medical clinic. The clinic will be stationed at the Valley Grove Fire Station.

Ohio County EMA Medical Director Dr. Lisa Hrutkay will work with Wheeling Hospital physicians and other doctors and paramedics from outside the Ohio Valley at the tent. Vargo said anyone who becomes severely dehydrated will be able to receive fluids at the medical tent to avoid overwhelming emergency rooms.

In addition to the medical tent, a cooling station will be set up at the Valley Grove Fire Department. The tent will include misters and fans, as well as ice water and Gatorade.

“We’ll also have a rehab section for any worker who just needs to sit down for a while and get some rest,” Vargo added.

Vargo said that the Ohio County EMA treated a couple of people for heat exhaustion and transferred them to Wheeling Hospital. He noted that flood victims may sometimes neglect their own health during the cleanup of their homes.

“The biggest thing I’ve found out is that these people affected by the floods have the main priority of getting their homes cleaned up and back to normal — they don’t think about eating and drinking and things like that,” Vargo said. “We’ll still have people going around delivering water and Gatorade to them, but we also want to encourage them to space themselves and take breaks. They need to hydrate, and we’ll lend them that support to keep them going.”

Vargo advises anyone assisting in flood recovery efforts during the heat to watch out for signs of heat exhaustion, including excessive sweating, tiredness and thirst. Decreased urination, lightheadedness and feeling unwell are additional signs.

“If anyone is not feeling well, they can come to the clinic once it’s set up,” Vargo said. “The best thing is just getting in a cool, shaded area to drink plenty of fluids. Everybody needs to remain careful here — it’s a disaster zone.”