COLUMBUS – Cities around Ohio are canceling outdoor concerts and softball games and opening up cooling centers to give residents relief from the heat.
A heat advisory was in effect for central and western Ohio and parts of Indiana and Kentucky until 8:00 p.m. Sunday.
Strong wind and rain were expected to persist Sunday in the Midwest, and a cold front stretching between the Central Plains and the Great Lakes region is forecast to move south. But in addition to cooler temperatures, the cold front is expected to carry showers and thunderstorms, which could lead to heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the Midwest.
[8:25 PM] Heat index values are forecasted to be SLIGHTLY lower tomorrow, and thunderstorm chances will increase in the afternoon and will linger into Monday as a cold front slowly pushes through the region. pic.twitter.com/JmHAVUyFFF
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) July 21, 2019
Tips on reducing your electric usage during hot weather
The onset of extreme heat has prompted warnings from health officials.
“Our bodies are usually very good at controlling their temperature, but extremely hot conditions over an extended period of time can stress even the most efficient system,” said Dr. Amy Acton, director of the Ohio Department of Health.
Beat the heat:
Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing
Rest frequently;
Plan outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day: early morning, late evening;
Take cool baths or showers
Seek an air-conditioned environment
-Source: Ohio Dept. on Aging/Dept. of Health
Extremely hot weather can lead to serious physical conditions, ranging from painful heat cramps to potentially life-threatening heat stroke. Communities are preparing by offering buildings as cooling centers and asking residents to check in on family members and neighbors and Ohioans are being reminded to check on the elderly.
Heat cramps: muscle pains and spasms, mostly in the legs, caused by dehydration and exertion.
Heat exhaustion: caused by heavy sweating and results in not enough fluids to support your vital organs. A serious and potentially life-threatening illness. Seek medical attention. Symptoms include: cool, moist, pale, flushed, or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and lack of energy. Take steps to reduce the body temperature and increase hydration: Move to a cooler environment; drink cool, non-alcoholic liquids; loosen or remove clothing; cool the body with wet towels or a cool shower or bath.
Heat stroke: a life-threatening condition in which the individual’s body is no longer able to control its own internal temperature. Symptoms: hot, red, and dry skin; rapid, weak pulse; rapid, short breathing; and high fever.
Source: Ohio Dept. of Health
Hot weather is tough on your car. Click here for some tips.
Five Columbus Recreation and Parks community centers will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, according to a release from the office of Mayor Andrew Ginther:
Barnett Community Center, 1184 Barnett Rd.
Beatty Community Center, 247 N. Ohio Ave.
Marion Franklin Community Center, 2801 Lockbourne Rd.
Westgate Community Center, 455 S. Westgate Ave.
Whetstone Community Center, 3923 N. High St.
The remaining community centers which operate Monday through Friday, will remain closed over the weekend.
Ginther’s office announced Friday that the city was waiving the $1 admission fee to the city’s outdoor pools Saturday and Sunday. City spraygrounds remain free during regular hours through the weekend.
YMCA Columbus will open 13 locations throughout Central Ohio, which will serve as cooling stations Friday through Sunday from noon until 6:00 p.m. unless a particular branch closes earlier than 6:00, spokeswoman Tina Badurina said.
The Columbus Metropolitan Library is extending its Main Library hours until 9:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. All of the libraries 23 branches are air-conditioned and open to the public.
Six air-conditioned branches of the Delaware County District Library, Sunbury Community Library, and Wornstaff Memorial Public Library in Ashley are open to residents.
Cleveland is opening eight of its recreation centers so that people will have a cool place to stay.
Toledo is canceling a concert at a city park on Saturday and in nearby Perrysburg, the city is canceling softball and dodgeball games on Friday and pools are extending their hours this weekend.
Officials are also concerned about smog, which is exacerbated by the heat and makes it harder for certain people to breathe, including the very young, the elderly and people with asthma or lung diseases.
Pets and livestock are susceptible to heat related illnesses. If possible, officials recommending keeping pets inside and making sure outdoor pets and livestock have fresh drinking water and shelter from the sun and heat.
The National Weather Service estimates that more than 100 local heat records will fall on Saturday, though most won’t be daily highs but record-high nightly lows. Greg Carbin, forecast branch chief for the weather service’s Weather Prediction Center, says the heat wave will likely be “short and searing.”