WILMINGTON — Temperatures and humidity are both ready to rise, resulting in the issuing of an Excessive Heat Watch by the National Weather Service office in Wilmington for Friday and Saturday.
To ensure that Clinton County residents in need of emergency cooling have options, several facilities have been designated as cooling shelters on Friday and Saturday, according to Clinton County EMA Director Thomas Breckel.
Citizens are advised to call first to confirm times/dates. Locations not seeing use may terminate at the conclusion of business hours, which is why those in need should call first.
Cooling shelters are:
• Blanchester Church of Christ, 911 Cherry St.; 513-256-1058
• Clinton-Warren JFD stations, 82 Spring Hill Road, Clarksville; 937-289-3427
• Chester Twp. Fire & EMS, 5580 SR 380; 937-283-1616
• SRWW JFD 2 Station, 179 S. Jackson St., Sabina
• Clinton-Highland FD station, 676 West St., New Vienna; 937-987-2713
• Wilmington Municipal Building, 69 N. South St.; 937-382-5458
While these locations are providing access to cool spaces and restrooms, members of the public should bring comfort items for their stay.
These cooling shelters are available to members of the general public who may lack access to air conditioning.
“We want the public to know that they have safe, dry and air-conditioned places available to them as we prepare for the anticipated high temperatures,” said Clinton County Commissioner Brenda Woods. “We ask everyone to take proper precautions, particularly young children and the elderly as they can be the most vulnerable to potentially fatal heat-related illnesses.”
What’s coming
According to the website of the National Weather Service in Wilmington: “The combination of temperature and humidity will lift the heat index above 100 in many locations with 110 or higher possible in the warmest locations. There will be nearly no relief at night with overnight low temperatures in the upper 70s and 80s.”
A high temperature of around 90 degrees is predicted on Thursday, then climbing to around highs of 95 through the weekend — with mostly sunny skies — and humidity that will make it feel closer to around 105 degrees.
The NWS advises that impacts on people and pets could include “heat stroke, heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses, especially if you spend a significant amount of time outdoors, or are involved in any strenuous outdoor activity.”
Be prepared
“Plan to spend more time in air conditioned or well-ventilated places,” the NWS advises. “If possible, reschedule strenuous outdoor activities to early morning or evening. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing and drink plenty of water.
“To reduce risk during outdoor work the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency — call 911.”
Relief from this heat wave isn’t expected until early next week.
