TERRE HAUTE —
With temperatures expected to reach 102 degrees Thursday and 99 on Friday, the American Red Cross is opening its doors to those who may need shelter from the heat.
A cooling center also will open in Sullivan, according to Jim Pirtle, director of the county’s emergency management agency. Other Wabash Valley emergency management agencies may open cooling centers in their communities if the need arises.
The American Red Cross Wabash Valley Chapter in Terre Haute will be open as a cooling center Thursday and Friday “to ensure that area citizens without air conditioning have a place to go to get out of the heat and to keep hydrated with water,” according to a news release.
The center, at 700 S. Third St. will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days. (It will close at 5 p.m. if no one is using it).
“Our vulnerable populations during extreme heat waves or cold will be our elderly, the very young and people who are ill,” said Stephanie Land, the Red Cross emergency services director.
Red Cross will make a conference room available. There won’t be much to do there, so she advised people to “bring a book” if they use it.
Last week when the shelter opened as a cooling center for the first time this season, a small number of people sought shelter and water at the chapter.
In Sullivan, the “Gathering Place,” an annex of the First Christian Church on 102 N. Broad Street, also will serve as a cooling station on Thursday and Friday, Pirtle said. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Emergency Management is collaborating with the Salvation Army to open the cooling center.
The Greene County Emergency Management Agency is asking for that community’s assistance in opening shelters, if they are needed.
The predicted high temperatures “could put several of our less fortunate citizens at risk. Not everybody has air conditioning,” said Roger Axe, director.
He appealed to cities, towns, fire departments and churches to open facilities as public shelters, if needed. He also asked that if they do open shelters, they post a sign to notify the public and also contact the media and his office at (812) 384-4127.
“We have a tradition of taking care of our neighbors in Greene County and providing shelter from the dangerous heat is another example,” Axe said.
Those with health problems should curtail their outside activities, he said. Also, he advised people to drink plenty of water and stay away from alcohol as well as caffeine found in coffee, tea and soft drinks.
Dave Rollison, deputy director of Greene County EMS, said fire stations and churches would be the places most likely to serve as shelters.
EMS directors in other counties said shelters could be opened, if needed. Often it is churches that open their doors to serve those who need refuge from the heat, officials said.
Jason Puma, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said that Thursday will be sunny and hot, with a high near 102 and a low that night around 73.
On Friday, it will remain sunny and hot, with a high of 99 and a low that night of 76. There is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Saturday, it will remain sunny and hot, with a high of 98. Again, there is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, Puma said.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
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