Live Updates: Extreme Heat Warning: NC temps soar above 100 degrees, hottest July 4th on record

Fantasy Lake Adventure Park in northern Wake County is sold out for two straight days as families look for ways to beat the dangerous heat and celebrate the Fourth of July holiday.

"We decided to come try it out," said Salisbury resident Stephen Black.

"This is my first time here, and I love it," said Raleigh resident Anthony Garcia.

Staff members have been preparing for the stretch of hot weather..

"For the heat, we stocked up on a tons of waters," said Fantasy Lake Manager Lilly Cox.

Lifeguards have also been instructed to keep a close eye on crowds throughout the holiday weekend.

"Making sure nobody has any heat exhaustion . . . keeping everybody hydrated," said Fantasy Lake Manager Ava Cox.

Fantasy Lake Adventure Park in northern Wake County is sold out for two straight days as families look for ways to beat the dangerous heat and celebrate the Fourth of July holiday.

The intense temperatures arrive as rising gas prices could be impacting some travel plans.

According to AAA Carolinas, the average price of regular gasoline in North Carolina is $3.53 per gallon, up more than 60 cents from this time last year.

AAA says many travelers are choosing shorter vacations or destinations closer to home to offset higher travel costs.

Black and his family made an impromptu trip from Salisbury to the water park.

"(It was) impromptu, spur of the moment," he said.

Jennifer Butters and her family typically head to the beach for the holiday but decided to spend the Fourth of July at the water park instead.

"I think it's great versus going out of town if you want to do something quick and local," she said, "and with the heat the way it is."

SEE ALSO: Raleigh officials urge heat safety for Fourth of July fireworks show

People across Durham spent Friday searching for relief as extreme temperatures and ongoing drought conditions tightened their grip on the Bull City.

At Hillside Pool, the only outdoor public pool open in Durham this summer, families often line up before the gates even open. Sierra Hurdle said her family has been there every day.

"From the time it opens, there's already people waiting to jump in that water," she said.

Others opted for indoor escapes. TJ Kahn and his mother were first through the door when the Parlour ice cream shop opened at noon.

"It's a hot day. We might as well get Mom out," Kahn said. He ordered an ice cream sandwich with cookies and cream. "When you bite into it, all the ice cream comes out the sides," he said.

For some, the heat changed their plans entirely. Carson Mungo said his car thermostat read 101 degrees when he pulled up for an appointment.

"I'm going to stay indoors all day," he said. "I just came out to get my glasses repaired and I'm going back in."

The dangerous temperatures also raised concerns for workers who can't avoid the heat especially sanitation crews who spend hours outside collecting trash.

Dante Strobino, a union organizer with the North Carolina Public Service Workers Union, said conditions on the job can be even more intense.

"When you're on a truck, there is heat radiating off the truck and machine making it ten, twenty, thirty degrees hotter," he said.

"Worker lives are more at risk. It's more responsibility on state and local governments and all employers to keep employees safe so workers don't die."

The heat wave comes as drought conditions worsen statewide. Durham remains in an exceptional drought, the most severe category on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

City water officials told Eyewitness News they've received 170 complaints since water restrictions took effect and have issued two violations for residents who didn't follow the rules.

An Extreme Heat Warning was issued for Person, Granville, Vance, Warren, Halifax, Forsyth, Guilford, Alamance, Orange. Durham, Franklin, Nash, Edgecombe, Davidson, Randolph, Chatham, Wake and Wilson counties. It will be in effect until 8 p.m. on Saturday.

A Heat Advisory is also effect for Johnston, Stanly, Montgomery, Moore, Lee, Harnett, Wayne, Anson, Richmond, Scotland, Hoke, Cumberland and Sampson counties until 8 p.m. on Saturday

Here's a look at how the hot weather can affect people who take medication, including Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, mostly referred to as SSRIs. SSRIs are antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications.

Because SSRIs affect serotonin levels, they can interfere with the hypothalamus, which is the part of the brain that acts as your internal thermostat.

This can cause two main problems: Impaired sweating and impaired cooling.

Symptoms of heat stroke and heat exhaustion include nausea, headaches, muscle cramps, increased pulse, confusion, dry skin and high body temperature.

Read more here.

It is especially important to know the symptoms when taking SSRIs.