Coping with one more day of extreme heat in NJ

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- When summer-like heat and humidity come early, it's hard for many people to adjust.

And it makes the job more difficult for those who work outdoors.

Action News found a crew from the Trenton Water Works patching a hole along E. State St.

What's their strategy for dealing with the heat?

"Water, plenty of water and just take a break," said worker Rodney Washington. "We got A/C, we do a little bit and then we come back in. But the job (has) got to get done."

After several days of topping the 90-degree mark, some people have had it with the heat.

"Too soon, too hot," said Antonio Travers of Trenton. "It's like nine 10 o'clock in the morning and it's already like 82 degrees. It's just too much. But it's New Jersey - might be 30 degrees tomorrow!"

Others love it, or at least are managing to cope.

"60s and 50s, I'm like, 'Oh no!'" said Darrell Waytes of Trenton. "But when the 90s come, I'm like, 'Yes! Finally!' We get to break out the shorts get to break out the tees, so I love it."

"It feels like we've had seven or eight months of winter, so now, finally, we have summer," said Donielle Fletcher of Ewing, N.J. "Feels really good."

"I'm quite all right," said Shana Cook of Yardley, Pa. "We have a nice, air-conditioned building upstairs. But when you come outside? No. It's hot. It's gross."

The buildings and pavement can trap and retain the heat, so that means some folks are heading out to get a cool drink.

"It's been extremely hot, and a nice cold coffee will cool you down a little bit," said Matt Furman of Ewing. "So yeah. Absolutely."

"It got to me last night because I didn't put my air conditioner on till 4:00 in the morning, and I wish I had done it earlier," said Regan Barbetti of Manasquan, N.J.

One couple from Brick, N.J. took the day off for their wedding anniversary. They said the blazing heat is a present they could do without.

"My poor wife has asthma, so it makes it tougher," said Shane Kriegstein. "Took the day off, it's our fifth anniversary, so that's special. But it is still hot, so it's still a struggle."

"I just keep drinking water and trying to stay in the air conditioning as much as possible and not exerting myself in the heat," said Gabrielle Kriegstein, "and just trying to be smart about it."

The good news on Friday: forecasters said cooler, more seasonable temperatures were in store Saturday.

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