Polk County has seen its share of storms, but thousands have been left without power and damage caused across the county over the past week that concluded on Saturday evening with another round that moved through the area and left behind damage.

Included among the damage was a billboard that fell on West Avenue business La Mexicana as well as damaging a car, and hundreds found themselves in the dark once again in western Polk County and Cedartown after stormy weather pushed through on August 12, capping of days of alternating heat that then drives thunderstorms.

As of this posting, at least 400 customers remained without power in a stretch of Piedmont Highway (Highway 278 West) from Potash/Berry Road to the Alabama State line. Additional outages were dotted around the western side of Polk County that continue into today as line workers are back in action for what has amounted to a full week of work locally making repairs and restoring service.

It’s been a wild week. Seaborn Jones Park was flooded and people running for cover around Rockmart on Sunday, August 6 when powerful winds, heavy rain and frequent lightning pushed through the area. Those storm events came again on Monday, and Tuesday, Wednesday evening, and Friday morning. Saturday’s bout of Mother Nature’s fury only increased the impact felt on Polk.

It’s not just the wet weather, the heat is punishing Polk as well.

A heat advisory was in effect through this evening once again, and the NWS is calling for more today as the forecast has temperatures up to 95, and a heat index past 107.

The heat comes along with chances again for showers and thunderstorms, which will be hanging around through the afternoon and evening hours up to 8 p.m.

The temps could feel as high as 106 on Monday with the heat index as highs are predicted at 97 and slimmer chances for wet weather, but likely considering the pattern Polk has found itself in lately. After that, look for clear skies and temps slightly cooler in the upper 80s and lows down to 60 heading into next week.

What’s driving all this horrible weather?

Excessive heat has plagued the nation from the southwest over to Alabama over the summer so far, and that heat pushes eastward with winds and runs into the moisture being drawn up from the Gulf of Mexico. This effect from warming temperatures and the impact of El Nino has increased temperatures in the Pacific off the western South American coast by more than a degree Celsius above normal.

And what can anyone do about it?

Stay inside an air conditioned space if at all possible for as long as possible is the best answer for the moment. Find more tips about battling extreme temps here.