Lowcountry workers battle triple-digit heat with water, shade, and a little grit

BLUFFTON, S.C. (WTOC) - Bluffton saw some of the day’s most intense heat in the Lowcountry, but that didn’t stop people from working outside.

Instead, many leaned into common-sense strategies: drink more water than usual, wear sunscreen, and take breaks in the shade when possible.

“If we weren’t comfortable in it, then we probably wouldn’t do it.”

For Joe Matejewski, the heat is part of the job — and part of what he enjoys.

“I just love feeling that heat on my little bald head,” Matejewski said.

Matejewski owns Bluffton Pressure Washing, and he says the hottest months are typically his busiest.

From power washing sidewalks and businesses to cleaning homes ahead of weekend cookouts, summer demand stays steady.

But he’s also mindful that extreme heat can wear people down quickly. He told us that his team’s preparation starts before the shift even begins, with a focus on hydration and cooling measures.

“We make sure I bring enough water for the team every day,” he said. “I make sure we also have these cool towels around their necks that they wear, which helps them keep cool, and then… I also have mandatory sunblock breaks.”

Matejewski added that finding shade whenever possible makes a major difference.

“Always just try to find a shady spot because there is [a] huge difference when you’re underneath a tree, as opposed to standing outside in the sun,” he said. “That’s even why we park in the shade, so the heat stays out of the car.”

He said many jobs can take under an hour, but larger commercial jobs can run longer and can be tougher when there isn’t much tree coverage.

Tent shade, water, and Gatorade on Promenade Street

Not everyone working outside was pressure washing.

On Promenade Street in Bluffton, Terrance Taylor and Tia Perkins were set up with a tent, doing work that keeps them outside no matter what the forecast looks like.

“We are out here drinking water, staying hydrated,” Taylor said. “But the end goal is… to help out these families, so we love it.”

Perkins said they prepared ahead of time by checking the weather and grabbing drinks before heading out.

“I knew it was going to be hot, but the impact is worth it,” Perkins said. “I went straight to Parkers to get a couple of drinks and plenty of water.”

Taylor said they’re used to it — even on days when the heat is relentless.

“Sleet, snow, rain — it doesn’t matter,” he said. “We are going to come out here and make it happen.”

Cooling off after the shift

Several people we spoke with said they planned to cool down later by heading to a pool, splash pad, or the beach — or simply getting back into the air conditioning.

The summer heat may not be new in the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire, but the first truly hot stretch of the season can still catch people off guard.