Top News Headlines for Wednesday night, July 16, 2025
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Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Don't mow your lawn during a heatwave. Here's what to do instead, according to an expert
This summer is a hot one. So much so, in fact, that much of the country is expected to see a hotter-than-usual season, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada's summer forecast. Though hot weather does invite people outside to enjoy patios and backyards, a heat wave is not the time to mow your lawn, according to experts. Mowing during extreme heat can cause lawn damage and sustained temperatures above 32 degrees without water can lead to wilting, browning or even kill the grass. Plus, engaging in yard work during hot weather could lead to heat exhaustion or sunstroke. How to care for your lawn during a heat wave "While the warm weather might seem like a great opportunity to make your garden look neat and tidy, gardening in the heat can actually be a bad idea," said Colleen McGrory, senior product manager at "If you cut your grass, the blades will be more exposed to the sun and the soil will also suffer," she said. "This issue will lead to bare patches on your lawn, which will take time and effort to repair." Leave it be Sometimes the best action is no action at all. Letting the grass grow can help it cope with any heat-related stress. In hot weather, longer grass with taller stems can help sustain a microclimate at the soil level. Keeping the grass between 2.5 centimetres to 5 centimetres is recommended. Don't water in direct sunlight Skip the sprinkler, too. Watering your lawn in hot, direct sunlight can actually cause damage. Instead, water it during cooler parts of the day, like early mornings or late at night. Aqua Joe Jumbo Oscillating Sprinkler If you absolutely must water your lawn, wait until the sun goes down, or strike before it goes up. This sprinkler is backed by a whopping 38,000 reviews, with an average rating of 4.4 stars. Leave clippings behind While it's best to avoid mowing altogether, consider leaving clippings on the lawn as mulch, which can help retain moisture, serve as a protective barrier and add nutrients. MEKKAPRO Leaf Scoops and Claws If you have a pile of grass clippings lying around, scoop it up and spread it across your yard to provide extra protection from the sun. Plant native plants Meadow-inspired yards with diverse, native plants can cope better with drought than grass, which is a monoculture. Native plants also help support pollinators like bees, butterflies and birds. Visit Watersheds Canada's Native Plant Database to see which native species work in your area. Canadian Wildflower Seeds This seed mix is specifically formulated for Canadian gardens. With a mix of 20 varieties of perennial and annual wildflower seeds, this will diversify your yard and attract pollinators, too. Add shade Provide relief to your lawn with shade of any kind, including umbrellas, canopies, pergolas, arbours, or planting trees or shrubs. Shade can help lower water loss and create a cooler microclimate. Simple Deluxe Outdoor Patio Umbrella With a nine-foot diametre, this crank umbrella can help protect some of your yard (and you!) from the relentless heat by tilting and angling it towards the sun. Protect yourself Don't forget to shade yourself, too! If you're working in the garden in hot weather, wear a hat, apply sunscreen and take regular breaks to drink water in the shade. If not, heat exhaustion or heat stroke could strike. EINSKEY Sun Hat for Men and Women A heat wave is not the time to do extended outdoor work. Be sure to wear a wide-brimmed hat with UV protection, like this one with UPF 50+. Don't step on it If possible, avoid heavy foot traffic on the grass during heat waves, which could cause further stress and cause soil compaction. Keep Off the Grass Sign Worried about excess foot traffic? Rope off grassy areas or install a suggestive sign. Re-seed your lawn A heatwave can wreck havoc on your lawn, but don't sweat it too much. By following the above tips, your lawn will likely bounce back quickly at the next rainfall. However, if it's left looking a little scorched and bald, you might have to re-seed. An ideal time to seed lawns in Canada are mid-August to mid-September. Scotts Ez-Seed Patch and Repair Fill in any bare spots with an easy-to-use seed. Reviewers say this product works fast to fill in gaps, with one noting a patch grew in "within a week."
CBS News
24 minutes ago
- CBS News
Spraying begins in Northern Colorado due to increase in West Nile infected mosquitoes
Officials in Northern Colorado are planning to spray for mosquitoes due to an increase in the number of mosquitoes with West Nile Virus. According to the city of Fort Collins, higher numbers of mosquitoes with the virus were trapped in the area earlier in July. City officials said the West Nile infection rate in mosquitoes is currently 11 times higher than the historical average, and four times higher than it was in 2023. Mosquito spraying is scheduled to take place on July 17 and July 20 in southern Fort Collins from Taft Hill Road to Zeigler Road between Horsetooth Road and Trilby Road. The city said portions of the Westchase and Ketcher Farm neighborhoods south of Trilby Road will also be sprayed. Fogging trucks will begin spraying around 8 p.m. and will finish by approximately 2 a.m.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Data: Kerr County sent first targeted alert two days after deadly flood
HUNT, Texas (KXAN) — Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) data does not show a record of Kerr County officials issuing a locally targeted emergency alert to warn people in the area of the rapidly rising waters until two days after the deadly flood. The emergency flash flood warnings issued on July 4 and 5 came from the National Weather Service, which were distributed through CodeRED, a mass notification system that requires members of the public to register to receive alerts. As Kerr County leaders avoid alert questions, new audio surfaces in CodeRED timeline Records show the earliest warnings of the flash floods, which claimed more than 100 lives in Kerr County alone as of July 15, were issued by the NWS at 1:14 a.m. on July 4, telling people to move to higher ground. The county shared a San Antonio meteorologist's post on Facebook at 5:31 a.m. on July 4. County officials added their warning to the shared post, saying, 'Flooding along the Guadalupe River is happening now. Be safe and move to higher ground. Do not drive through water. Turn Around – Don't Drown!' After the initial alert at 1:14 a.m., an additional 21 flash flood alerts were issued by the NWS on July 4 in Kerr County, according to archived alert data. FEMA records indicate that the county itself never issued an alert on July 4 about the dangerous flash flooding through the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), which can alert all phones in a geographical area, regardless of whether a person has enrolled for emergency alerts. Sheriff hints at 'after action' review, as records reveal warning of 'worst-case flood event' KXAN reached out to Kerr County officials about the timing of their alerts. This story will be updated when a response is received. Contrary to alerts issued by the NWS, IPAWS provides authorities the ability to write their own warning message, which is delivered through multiple communication pathways 'to reach as many people as possible to save lives and protect property,' according to FEMA. 'Utilizing multiple pathways for public alerts increases the likelihood that the message will successfully reach the public,' according to FEMA. The only IPAWS alerts Kerr County issued occurred on July 6 and July 13 due to the 'high probability' and 'high confidence' of river flooding, according to FEMA IPAWS data. Records show these Kerr County IPAWS alerts classified the severity of the weather events as 'Extreme' and the presence of an 'Imminent Threat' with headlines stating 'Evacuation Immediate' and 'Local Area Emergency.' According to FEMA IPAWS alert data, Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator William 'Dub' Thomas is the person who authorized and issued the IPAWS alerts. KXAN reached out to Thomas for additional details regarding the alerts he authorized. A county commission meeting video from Nov. 16, 2020, shows Thomas advocating for the emergency alert system as lifesaving shortly before the commissioner approved the measure. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
