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  • Red Cross Director Mary Bechtel readies a cooling station at the Red Cross offices, 307 S.E. 21st St., on Wednesday. Temperature the rest of the week will be in triple digits so those without means of cooling should seek it. Kelly Overton

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June 28, 2012

City readies for triple-digit temperatures

Cooling stations set throughout area

By Andrea McCann Washington Times Herald

WASHINGTON — The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has announced a heat advisory for a large portion of Indiana, including Daviess County, but there are precautions people can take.

In effect from 11 a.m. today to 8 p.m. Friday EDT, the heat advisory was prompted by a large ridge of high pressure that, according to the NWS, will bring the hottest weather central Indiana has experienced in nearly 25 years. NWS meteorologists expect temperatures for the next few days to range from 96 degrees to 105 degrees across central Indiana, with low relative humidity keeping heat indices near air temperature.

To help offer some relief to people living without air conditioning on these hot days, the American Red Cross and Senior and Family Services will offer “cooling stations.” SAFS will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 211 E. Main St. The Washington Red Cross location at 307 S.E. 21st St. will be open Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“I’m working on getting a volunteer to open from 11 to 3 Friday,” added Red Cross Director Mary Bechtel. “I’m not sure about the weekend yet.”

She urges residents to stop by if they need a cool place to go. She said there’s water available and a cool place to sit and relax.

“We encourage people to try to stay cool and hydrated,” Bechtel continued. “If you don’t have to be outside, stay inside.

“We also encourage people to check on elderly neighbors. And smaller children get outside and don’t realize they’re getting overheated either.

“I can’t stress enough: Stay hydrated.”

Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees, according to American Red Cross information, which states heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. Some heat-safety tips they recommend include:

• Discuss precautions with household members. Have a plan for what to do if the power goes out.

• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays. It’s also a good idea to wear a hat or use an umbrella.

• Carry water or juice and drink continuously, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine, which dehydrate the body.

• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.

• Slow down and avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually 4-7 a.m. Take frequent breaks.

• Stay indoors when possible. If air conditioning isn’t available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember electric fans don’t cool; they simply circulate the air.

• During heat waves, check on family, friends and neighbors who are elderly or ill and those who don’t have air conditioning. Check on animals frequently, too, to make sure they’re not suffering from the heat.

• Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR/AED.

Pace Community Action Agency has a summer energy assistance program available to residents who meet income guidelines. Eligible households can receive a one-time $65 credit toward their electric bill. In addition, window air-conditioning units will be available to households that meet criteria in the program guidelines. Daviess County residents can call 254-5611 for information.

The city of Washington is offering another way to stay cool with a free day at Waterworld on Friday during regular hours: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. adult swim and 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. open swim.

“With the temperatures that are predicted for Friday we want citizens to do all they can to be safe,” said Mayor Joe Wellman. “This free day gives our citizens, especially families with children, a chance to remain as cool as possible while enjoying all that the Waterworld has to offer.”

According to Washington Water Superintendent Charlie Kane, water usage is up in the city, but there currently appears to be no danger of a shortage.

“I have a guy coming (today) who knows the aquifer real well,” Kane said. “He’s going to tell me when we’ll reach the critical stage. We started monitoring it last week.”

He said so far there are no water-usage restrictions for residents.

“We probably have a long way to go before we reach the danger point,” he said.

Electric Department Head Randy Emmons said residents shouldn’t worry too much about power outages, either.

“When we removed our smaller substations, it helped us,” he said. “We’re in pretty good shape.

“We don’t expect outages, but when it gets that hot, there’s always a chance of a fuse melting.”

He reminds citizens to call the police department if they do lose power, and they’ll dispatch assistance from the electric department.

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