Iowa Athletics announces safety protocols amid heat weave

IOWA CITY — If you’re heading to the Hawkeyes football game this weekend, know it’s going to be a hot one.

Weather forecasts are predicting temperatures up to 94 degrees Saturday afternoon, at the peak of a multi-day heat wave sweeping across the Midwest. In response, Iowa Athletics announced new gameday policies to help accomodate the extreme heat.

The Johnson County Ambulance Services will have a utility task vehicle (UTV) posted in parking lots to help with respond times during tailgates. In addition, UIHC personnel, including physicians and nurses, and Carver College of Medicine students will also be available to treat patients as needed.

There will be an air conditioned tent in the Krause Family Plaza, located on the south side of Kinnick Stadium.

Tailgate lots open at 12:30 p.m., and stadium gates open at 5 p.m.

Additionally, fans will be permitted to bring one sealed bottle of water of any size or an empty refillable water bottle into the stadium. The First Aid Station at the southeast corner of the stadium will also provide an extended, air-conditioned space for fans to cool off.

According to Iowa Health and Human Services, best practice in extreme heat include wearing loose-fitting clothes, drinking water days before prolonged heat exposure can help.

Other best practice tips include:

Temperatures are expected to be between the 70s and 80s near kickoff, with a low of 69 degrees.

Tickets to Iowa’s game against UMass is sold out. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and is available on Big Ten Network.

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