Heat wave to bear down on the First Coast days after Debby | News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- As a heat wave clamped down on the First Coast over the weekend, many were looking for ways to beat the heat and hoped it would help flood waters left over from Tropical Storm Debby recede.

In just a matter of days, the First Coast went from under water to needing a water break.

"Yeah it's very hot out here today," said Chuck McCue while out riding his bike in Jacksonville Beach."We're going to go hit the beach here and go hang out in the surf."

McCue and his son were braving the near record high temperatures in Jacksonville - part of a record-breaking heat wave across the country. For the second day, 50 million Americans are sweltering in 100-plus degrees.

"Kind of like an oven. Just brutal," one man said.

Despite the heat, flood waters were still too high along the St. Mary's River as people wait to be let back into their homes following a state of emergency and mandatory evacuations in Camden County. Officials said they are starting to see the water come down a little bit.

But the temperatures continue to rise. Angela Dupree and her family were trying to cool off at Adventure Landing.

"So we decided to come out to the water park today with the kids," Dupree said. They're from Fort Lauderdale and were in town for a family reunion. Dupree said out temperatures rival the ones down south. "it's very hot down there!"

So make sure you stay hydrated and keep a close eye on the elderly and children. Take frequent breaks from the sun indoors.

Keeping the thermostat cool is costly, so try turning the temp up when you're not at home. Raising it 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours can cut ten-percent off your bill. The optimum temperature is 78 degrees.