Though this time of the month typically sees the hottest days of the year in the region, Storm Center 7 Chief Meteorologist McCall Vrydaghs said it is usually not quite this hot. However, she noted that temperatures are expected to drop Monday and there will likely be cooler temperatures next week.
She said residents should avoid yard work this weekend, try walking in grassy areas and pet owners should make sure their animals have cool water and a shady place if they can’t come inside.
The Clark County Combined Health District said its community partners have set up several cooling stations across the county to provide people with a reprieve from the heat and humidity during this emergency period. Those areas include public libraries and businesses such as Wal-Mart and Meijer.
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The Springfield Soup Kitchen located at 830 W. Main St. in Springfield says it will operate as a cooling center from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Officials with Clark State Community College designated all campus locations as cooling centers Thursday. The campuses will be open on Friday and bottle water will be available.
“I am happy to say that Clark State recognizes and addresses the needs of the communities it serves, and during this time of extreme heat, the college is opening its doors to help those who may not have access to find relief,” Ron Gordon, dean of enrollment services for Clark State, said Thursday.
Extremely high or unusually hot temperatures can affect individuals health. People most vulnerable include the elderly, those who work or exercise outdoors, infants, children, the homeless and individuals with chronic medical conditions.
Representatives of the Clark County Combined Health District said the symptoms of heat illness can include headaches, nausea, general weakness and dizziness.
Clark County Health Commissioner Charles Patterson said it is important to spend time in air-conditioned buildings and limit time spent outdoors, especially during the hottest part of the day.
“When it’s warm for several days as we are seeing now, the body needs an opportunity to cool itself down,” he said. “Air condition allows the body’s (temperature regulating system) to rest a little.”
Patterson added that too much sweating can cause dehydration and to look out for signs such as cold and clammy hands and nausea.
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“If you are really hot and you have stopped sweating, it’s a very important sign that you (might) have heat stroke and that is when things get critical,” he added.
If residents show signs of heat stroke, they should call 911, said Patterson. He also said that at this point drinking water will not help upset the affects.
Vrydaghs said heat related deaths are the most common in terms of weather-related deaths.
The predicted heat index for this weekend also caused changes to the transportation, check-in and weigh-ins of livestock during the Clark County fair which opens today.
Times for hauling have been moved back to late this evening and early Saturday morning. Check-in and weigh-ins have been moved to Saturday morning for poultry, and Saturday evening for swine.
No changes have been made to rabbit haul, check-in and weight-in as of Thursday afternoon.
Cooling centers in Clark County
— Meijer on Hillcrest Avenue
— Wal-Mart on Bechtle Avenue
— Wal-Mart on Tuttle Road
— New Carlisle Public Library located at 111 E. Lake in New Carlisle
—All of the Clark County Public Libraries: 201 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield, 1119 Bechtle Ave. Springfield, 5 W. Jamestown St., South Charleston, and 209 Main St., Enon
—McDonalds, 2133 S. Dayton-Lakeview Rd., New Carlisle
—McDonalds, 3333 Lake Rd. in Medway in Bethel Township
—Springfield Soup Kitchen located at 830 W. Main St. in Springfield
—Clark State campus located at 570 E. Leffel Ln. in Springfield at the Sara T. Landess Technology and Learning Center Rotunda on Friday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
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