No relief in sight

The heat wave that pushed temperatures above 90 degrees in late July will challenge record temperatures in coming days.

The American Red Cross opened a cooling center Monday at the Osage Community Centre on North Kingshighway after the National Weather Service office in Paducah, Ky., extended a heat advisory to Tuesday afternoon. Later in the day, the weather service extended the advisory again, warning that the combination of heat and humidity would put heat indexes above 105 for at least part of each day through Thursday.

The cooling center hours will mirror the regular hours of the community center each day, opening at 6 a.m. and staying open until 10 p.m. each night through Thursday, and 6 p.m. Friday, said Jamie Koehler, emergency services director at the Southeast Missouri Chapter of the Red Cross.

"It is for people who can't afford to keep their air conditioning going all day and all night," Koehler said. "This would allow them a place to go during the day."

No medical emergencies were reported Monday as a result of the heat, according to the Cape Girardeau Fire Department, but high temperatures and heat indexes can be fatal. In July 2005, three people in Southeast Missouri -- two in Cape Girardeau and one in Scott City -- died while shut up in homes as heat indexes reached 115 to 120 degrees over several days.

Rusty Statler, left, and Rick Leible, of Cape Girardeau Public Works, put reflectors back in place Monday after working on sections of Bel Air Drive. The men said that working in the heat isn't too bad if they drink enough water and don't go into air conditioning often. (Kit Doyle)

The heat index is a measure of the combined effect of heat and humidity.

The weather pattern producing record and near-record temperatures replaced the July weather that was slightly cooler than average. Daytime highs that rose above 90 degrees on July 26 have remained there for 12 days and are forecast to continue in that range for the foreseeable future, said Christine Wielgos, a forecaster at the weather service office in Paducah.

The heat wave could break records for longest streak of above 90 days, Wielgos said. The longest stretch on record occurred in 1983, when daytime highs exceeded 90 degrees for 28 straight days.

Forecasts looking over the next 14 days call for above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall, she said. "It is definitely a possibility" to break the record for consecutive days above 90 degrees, she said.

Controlling cooling bills

AmerenUE issued a news release giving advice on how to control cooling bills during the heat wave, including keeping thermostats at a constant temperature -- the utility recommends 78 degrees -- and moving heat-producing appliances such as lamps away from thermostats. Spokesman Mike McCleary said the utility company has voluntarily suspended service shut-offs while the heat wave persists.

Customers with shut-off notices or with bills they have difficulty paying should contact the utility immediately to make arrangements for a payment plan or to sign up for budget billing options that can smooth out the highs and lows of utility payments, he said.

"We urge them to call us if they are concerned about paying a particular bill," McCleary said. "Then we can set up payment plans. Cutting someone off is a last resort."

Taking care of those at risk

The rising temperatures make the job of keeping track of elderly friends, watching out for children playing outside and making sure pets have shade and fresh, cool water even more important, said Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center.

In 2005, Glenda Rogers, 83, and her wheelchair-bound son, Clarence Rogers, were found dead in their Themis Street home with the windows shut and no air conditioning. A Scott City man, Brian LiCare, 43, was found dead in a mobile home where the air conditioner had malfunctioned and was blowing hot air.

Family and friends discovered the deaths after not hearing from the Rogerses or LiCare for several days. Craig said during weather extremes it is important to check on people who are at risk.

"People have to use common sense," she said. "If you have someone in your world at risk of heat stroke or exhaustion such as elderly friends or neighbors, common sense would tell you to check on them and make sure they are OK."

In the case of the Rogerses, fans in the home were on, circulating hot, dry air that can rob a body of moisture faster than being in a home with windows open and no fans running.

"Simply blowing hot air on top of hot air is harmful, not helpful," Craig said. "If you are at the point in this kind of weather that all you have is a fan, consider going to a cooling shelter."

For outdoor pets, keeping a non-metallic water dish and the animal's quarters in the shade can prevent tragedy, Craig said. "Hot water for a pet that is thirsty is like no drink at all," she said.

Senior citizens can also call area senior centers for help. Debbie Stockton, director of the Jackson Senior Center, said drivers for the Meals on Wheels program report stressful conditions such as clients who are struggling without air conditioning.

The center has programs that use community donations to help provide fans. The center also helps find programs or organizations that can provide help with utility bills, Stockton said. And senior citizens needing to stay out of the heat are welcome to come to the senior center to relax during normal operating hours, she said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126

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Hot and humid forecast

The National Weeather Service predicts record or near-record temperatures for the rest of the week. Record temperatures for this date are:

Day, forecast high, record high, date

Monday, 98, 98, 1983

Tuesday, 99, 99, 1962

Wednesday, 101, 99, 1969

Thursday, 101, 101, 1969

Friday, 99, 99, 1980

Consecutive days above 90 degrees:

1. 28 days ending Sept. 11, 1983

2. 25 days ending Aug. 8, 1964

3. 24 days ending July 20, 1993

Source: Weather Underground; National Weather Service