"Dehydration is a really big concern:" Hebron House open for those looking to cool off in Waukesha
WAUKESHA -- The National Weather Service has downgraded the excessive heat WARNING to a heat ADVISORY -- which is now in effect until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 22nd. The counties affected include Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, Racine, Kenosha and Walworth.
The heat and humidity is not just uncomfortable. It can be dangerous. It can sneak up on a person, and officials are working to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Pat Sprung
Pat Sprung
"Everybody is like, 'well, you got your air on in your car,' but sometimes it doesn't even pay to have it on," Pat Sprung said.
Sprung spent the day Thursday, July 21st delivering meals with the Meals on Wheels program.
"We`re not just delivering meals. We might be the only people they see all day long," Sprung said.
Part of her responsibility included checking on her clients.
"If they`re dazed and confused a little bit or they're sweating profusely or if they're just not themselves," Sprung said.
The best way to beat the heat is to escape it -- and there are plenty of options.
Hebron House
The Hebron House and Jeremy Safe Haven shelters in Waukesha are serving as cooling zones Thursday, July 21st through Sunday.
Kris Androsky
"Dehydration is a really a big concern for us -- so we want to make sure people are staying hydrated and cooling down so we don`t have anybody who is having heat stroke or something worse," Kris Androsky with the Hebron House said. "People will be out in the community and on a day like this and all of a sudden, the heat stroke will set in or a sense of dehydration. All of a sudden it becomes critical."
People are invited to stop by and cool off in the air conditioning -- and officials are offering water, Gatorade and popsicles.
The Hebron House will be open 24 hours this weekend for those who need to cool off. It is normally a shelter for women and children -- but no one will be turned away.
Hebron House
"People assume the winter is a dangerous time and it is -- but in the summer, the heat can really creep up on you without you knowing," Androsky said.
Hebron House was at capacity for the night Thursday, but officials said they would help make sure anyone in need of a cool, safe place to sleep would get that.
Hebron House
Below is advice and resources from officials in Waukesha County as the heat takes hold:
WAUKESHA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND LAND USE
Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow is reminding residents of the resources available during the Excessive Heat Warning in effect from noon Thursday through 7:00 pm Friday.
“Excessive heat is the most frequent weather-related danger in southeast Wisconsin,” said Farrow. “For this reason, Waukesha County has safeguards in place to ensure that even our most vulnerable residents can stay safe and healthy.”
Plan Ahead
Waukesha County residents are encouraged to plan ahead when extreme heat is on its way.
- Fans and air conditioners should be tested before extreme weather hits. These items often sell out quickly and take longer for stores to restock than a heat wave lasts.
- Stay hydrated throughout the day and limit physical activities in the heat.
- Residents who do not have access to air conditioning may seek relief in a cooling center.
Cooling Centers
Dozens of cooling centers and places to cool off are located in Waukesha County, such as libraries, malls, or senior dining centers.
- Members of the public may use Waukesha County ice arenas as cooling stations for free. The cost to skate is $6.50 for adults and $5.00 for seniors and children.
- Naga-Waukee Park Ice arena will extend its open skate hours on Thursday from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm. (2699 Golf Rd, Delafield). Naga-Waukee is open Thursday 8am-10pm and Friday 10am-6pm with various activities to watch throughout the day.
- Eble Park Ice Arena (19400 W. Bluemound Rd. Brookfield) is open 9 am to 10 pm Thursday and Friday. Open skate is from noon to 2:00 pm.
- Retzer Nature Center’s Environmental Learning Center (S14W28167 Madison St., Waukesha) will be open from 8 am to 4:30 pm.
- Call 211 to locate a cooling center, and to see if transportation to the center is available.
- Head to www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/preparedness/cooling-sites.pdf for a list of cooling centers.
Requesting and Reporting Non-Emergency Information
Residents should only call 911 if they are experiencing an emergency situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment.
- Call 911 for anyone suffering the following symptoms related to heat stroke: headache, red & dry skin without sweating, a body temperature near 103 degrees, nausea or vomiting, a rapid pulse, a declining alert status or loss of consciousness.
- Pavement blow-outs are encouraged by extreme heat. Call 911 for any traffic hazards occurring on roadways or environmental dangers.
- Call the WCC Non-Emergency with requests for Police or Fire at 262-446-5070.
- Residents in need of information about non-emergency heat-related resources are encouraged to call 211. This information includes where to find cooling centers and whether transportation to cooling centers is available.
- Power outages that do not result in an emergency should be reported to WE Energies at 1-800-662-4797. Power outages that result in issues with medical equipment or produce smoking, arcing, or downed wires should be reported to 911.
Utility Service Disconnections
Consumers are reminded that Wisconsin law prevents a utility from disconnecting occupied dwelling units when a heat advisory, heat warning, or heat emergency is in effect.
- Utilities are required to make reasonable attempts to reconnect service that has been disconnected for nonpayment when there is a potential threat to health or life that results from the combination of the heat and loss of service.
- The utility may require that an occupant produce a licensed physician's statement or notice from a public health, social service, or law enforcement official.
- Contact the Public Service Commission Consumer Affairs at 1-800-225-7729 for more information about utility services.
Wellness Checks
Certain populations are more vulnerable to health risks related to extreme heat, such as adults over 65; children younger than five; people with health issues such as chronic diseases, or who take certain medications; and individuals who work outside.
HEBRON HOUSE, WAUKESHA
The Hebron House and Jeremy Safe Haven shelters in Waukesha will serve as cooling zones this weekend.
Below is a statement from Hebron House officials:
Extreme heat can be life threatening, and local social service agencies, like Hebron House of Hospitality, lead the way in providing emergency care. The excessive heat wave predicted for the area over the next several days is expected to create a dangerous situation for anyone remaining outside for extended hours.
Kris Androsky, Executive Director for Hebron House of Hospitality knows that, “Extremely hot weather poses hardships for those who do not have a cool place to stay. While the risk of heat illness for those outdoors depends upon the amount of exposure and the health of an individual, Hebron House shelters are responding proactively by providing water and respite from the dangerous heat.”
The prolonged period of hot temperatures is expected to hit Waukesha County Thursday afternoon through Friday evening with daytime highs in the mid 90’s. The heat and humidity will make conditions feel warmer than actual temperatures are. People are advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room and out of the sun. Heat exhaustion, nausea, headaches, and confusion can swiftly lead to deadly heat stroke as the body loses the ability to regulate its temperature.
The Hebron House shelter at 812 N. East Ave and Jeremy Safe Haven at 1301 E. Moreland Boulevard in Waukesha will both remain open as cooling zones for anyone needing help.