Coroner: Twiggs woman dies from heat-related cardiac event

A Jeffersonville woman died Monday from complications related to excessive heat, the Twiggs County coroner said.

Tammy Basley, 47, of Family Circle Road, died Monday at her home after sitting on her unshaded porch about noon, Coroner Harold Reece said. The heat, which reached about 99 degrees by noon in nearby Macon, caused a “cardiac event,” Reece said. Basley’s son found her body about 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Basley is the third heat-related death in Middle Georgia within the past four days. Terrell Floyd and his wife, Docia, were found dead of apparent heat exhaustion Saturday morning in Bleckley County.

Reece said he spoke with Basley’s physician Monday and was informed that she had several health issues, including diabetes and problems with dehydration.

“She died very suddenly,” Reece said. “The doctor said the heat was a factor. ... There was no shade whatsoever. ... She also had problems with dehydration, which made (the effect of the heat) much worse.”

None of the other Middle Georgia area coroners have recorded a heat-related death, though a couple of them warned “not yet.”

Reece said everyone, especially people with health issues, need to be more aware of the possible effects of high temperatures.

“People who know they have health issues need to take heed,” he said. “They need to stay inside and drink plenty of fluids. It’s the only way to overcome the heat.”

Bentley & Sons in Macon has charge of the funeral. No details were available Monday.

Denise Goings, the stroke coordinator for Coliseum Hospital in Macon, said the emergency room has seen a rise of nearly 15 percent of heat-related illnesses. The Medical Center of Central Georgia said it did not have any data.

Temperatures in Middle Georgia this summer have been even more oppressively hot than usual. According to data from the National Weather Service, Macon’s average high temperature in June was 93.2 degrees — nearly four degrees higher than the average high of 89.5 degrees for the month.

Macon has had 11 days of 95 degrees or higher this month, including a stretch from July 20 through Monday.

In June, Macon saw temperatures of 95 or above for 14 of the month’s 30 days. Twice this summer, Macon has recorded temperatures of 100 degrees — on June 15 and July 9, according to the weather service.

Temperatures this week are expected to reach the high 90s every afternoon.

To contact writer Phillip Ramati, call 744-4334.