The City of St. Joseph is asking residents to take precaution as an excessive heat warning remains in effect for the area until 8 p.m. Saturday.
The health department is reminding the public to take extra precautions in these extreme conditions. Temperature highs will hover from the mid to upper 90s. Lows will only drop to the middle to upper 70s. The heat index will make it feel more like 105° to 110° each afternoon through Saturday. Prolonged exposure to heat and humidity can lead to heat-related illness.
Each year, communities establish cooling sites. You can locate those cooling sites by
dialing 2-1-1. In St. Joseph, the 2017 cooling sites are:
• Bartlett Center, 409 South 18th Street, 816-233-8201, Mon-Fri 6:00am to
6:00pm
• Downtown Public Library, 927 Felix Street, 816-232-4038, Mon – Wed 9:00am to
8:00pm; Thu 9:00am to 6:00pm; Fri and Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm
• Carnegie Library, 316 Massachusetts, 816-238-0526, Mon 1:00pm to 5:00pm,
Tue and Thu 11:00am to 7:00pm; Wed, Fri and Sat 10:00am to 6:00pm
• Washington Park Library, 1821 N. Third Street, 816-232-2052, Mon, Wed and Fri
9:00am to 5:00pm, Tue and Thu 12:00pm (noon) to 8:00pm, Sat 1:00 to
5:00pm
• Rolling Hills Library, 1912 N Belt Hwy, 816-232-5479, Mon – Thu 9:00am to
9:00pm; Fri and Sat 9:00am to 6:00pm; Sun 1:00pm to 5:00pm
• East Hills Library, 502 N Woodbine Road, 816-236-2136, Mon – Thu 9:00am to
9:00pm; Fri – Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm; Sun 11:00am to 3:00pm
The AFL-CIO Community Services has a wait list for fans. They can be reached at 816-364-1131.
People are encouraged to drink plenty of non-carbonated and non-alcoholic fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check on relatives and neighbors to ensure their safety. Using a fan without another cooling source may not keep a person cool enough to prevent heat related illness.
The City suggests: taking extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water. Make sure animals have plenty of water and shade.
Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes