> SOUTHERN INDIANA —
A scorching wave of heat with triple digit temperatures began to push through Southern Indiana on Thursday.
Local officials are urging people to take precautions as near record heat is not expected to abate until early next week.
According to the National Weather Service forecast, the high temperature is expected to reach 101 degrees Thursday through Sunday, and remain in triple digits Monday at 100 degrees.
Mark Jarvis, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Louisville, said while it is not out of the ordinary for the region to see 100 degree temperatures, it is a weather pattern that is more typical for late July or early August.
“The main thing that is driving this is the lack of rain for the last four to six weeks,” Jarvis said.
He explained that the dry ground heats up the air much faster than ground that has retained some moisture and drives up the temperatures. The weather pattern that has brought the extreme conditions to the region is locked in place over the area, and a break is not likely until possibly early next week, he said.
Unless some rain comes soon, Jarvis said the high temperatures may last until mid-July.
“It certainly looks like above normal [temperatures] for the next several weeks,” he said.
However, Jarvis added that a June heat wave does not necessarily mean that hot weather will remain throughout the summer.
Managing the heat
At least through the weekend local governmental and aid agencies are offering some assistance for people dealing with the heat.
Kate Merchant, emergency services program manager for the Clark County Chapter of the American Red Cross said the organization is working with the city of Jeffersonville to provide support for cooling centers around town.
The city of Jeffersonville is planning to open an air-conditioned cooling center and provide bottled water at the Ken Ellis Senior Center located at 1425 Pennsylvania Ave. in Jeffersonville. The center will be open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Merchant added that residents are also welcome at Red Cross locations if they need to get out of the heat.
The Salvation Army, at 2300 Green Valley Road in New Albany, will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, as a cooling station, said Terry Herthel, director of the Floyd County Emergency Management Agency. He said the facility will remain open until the heat wave breaks.
“It’s there if people need to go in there and cool off,” he said.
Haven House Executive Director Barbara Anderson said Jeffersonville’s Williams Emergency Shelter will also be open to the public under a white flag warning.
“We’re open 24-7 and in the heat it’s white flag so anyone’s welcome to come in,” she said. “Anyone whose air conditioning might be broken is welcome come, even if it’s to cool off during the day.”
Usually, in the warmer weather, Anderson said the shelter doesn’t have as many people come in out of the dangerous conditions, but stressed how important it is to avoid prolonged exposure.
“If you’re not well hydrated it doesn’t take very long for the heat to get to you,” she said. “We’ve had more people die from heat exposure than we’ve had from cold exposure.”
Anderson added that she doesn’t know what to expect as far as the amount of need, because there may be families that have been affected by the tornadoes that might not be totally prepared.
“The main thing is getting them in and out of the heat,” she said.
For individuals that are outdoors Friday, the Jeffersonville City Trolley will periodically stop at locations like Warder Park, Preservation Park, the Jeffersonville Public Library and the Clark Arms area to pass out bottled water.
Playing in the sun
Roger Jeffers, superintendent of the New Albany-Floyd County Parks Department, said the parks system is allowing the public to come in and use facilities to “cool down” during the day as they see fit.
The parks department is also taking extra precautions with the people that are out during the hot weather. They are closely monitoring recreational softball games and holding children’s activities indoors.
“We’re putting water in the dugouts and keeping an eye out on everybody as well,” he said.
The parks department is also being cautious with its maintenance crews. Jeffers said they are coming in earlier in the morning to avoid working during the hottest parts of the day and they have also been asked to be wary of people using parks during the heat wave to ensure they are safe.
The Jeffersonville Aquatic Center is looking to make sure its patrons stay safe.
Nikki Dillon, director of aquatics and programs, said even if people come to the swimming pool they need to make sure they are drinking water.
“We do have a lot of heat emergencies on the deck,” she said.
She explained that people often lay out and do not get out of the sun often enough or drink water and can be affected by the heat. She encourages people to drink water during their hourly safety checks instead of just getting in the pool.
Dillon added there’s not always a bigger crowd when it gets as hot as anticipated, because a lot of people like to stay inside in the air conditioning.
“Right now, we’re nowhere near capacity,” she said.
The Jeffersonville Aquatic Center will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
The pool will also be offering half-price admission from 5-8 p.m. Friday. Regular admission price for Jeffersonville residents is $5.
Clark County
Related Photos
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Charley Hammons beat the heat Thursday under a fountain at the Jeffersonville Aquatic Center. Staff photo by C.E. Branham
Discussion
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