STATE SWELTERS IN SUMMER'S FIRST HEAT WAVE

Health and weather officials warned Missouri residents to stay out of the heat this weekend, with humidity and high temperatures expected to combine for dangerously high heat indexes.

Two girls on Perry Avenue in Cape Girardeau did their best to help the few others who were on the street cool off Saturday with a lemonade stand.

"We give a small lemonade for free if we see somebody walking by hot and sweaty," said 9-year-old McKena Sharp.

But when the 94-degree heat became too much, McKena said she and her 6-year-old friend Tori Patrick would put out a "closed" sign on their stand and head indoors to cool off in front of the television.

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warnings through today for nearly all of Missouri and Southern Illinois.

Highs today should range from the lower 90s in the northeast to near 100 in the west. Highs Monday are predicted in the 90s.

The combination of an upper level high pressure system over the Central Plains and warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico are creating the uncomfortable conditions, the National Weather Service reported.

Highs in the 90s coupled with high humidity in Midwest states will continue to produce heat indices of 105 to 110 degrees, forecasters said.

Highs Saturday reached 99 in Kansas City and Chesterfield. Springfield recorded the lowest high of the day -- a cool 92.

Heat was blamed for 23 deaths last year in Missouri.

Neither Southeast Missouri Hospital or St. Francis Medical Center reported increases in heat-related illnesses in their emergency rooms on Saturday.

In southwest Missouri, Ozarks Area Community Action Corp. is handing out fans to low-income families in its 10-county coverage area.

Because the local office is closed until Monday, the Springfield Fire Department will distribute fans for the organization this weekend.

"We want to be proactive and make it so that people don't get overheated," said Assistant Fire Chief Dan Whisler.

New Life Evangelistic Center in Branson is ready to distribute fans and offer some utility assistance as rising temperatures hit the Ozarks, said Bill Turner, coordinator of the free store and shelter.

At the Missouri Hotel, a Springfield shelter, only two rooms have air to cool off the 236 residents. The unit in the recreational room broke down about a month ago and officials are searching for funds to fix it, said Kelly McCoy, housing director.

The heat doesn't keep everyone in, though.

A free bluegrass concert Friday evening in St. Joseph went on as planned, despite a heat index of 107 degrees at the 6 p.m. starting time.

"I'm very surprised so many people came out with the heat," concertgoer Sue Comley said.

Southeast Missourian writer Tony Hall contributed to this report.