City of Milwaukee residents seek out respite from scorching heat

MILWAUKEE -- Thursday, June 28th was a scorcher, with temperatures in the 90s, heat indices in the triple-digits and high humidity levels. People had different adjectives to describe the day -- one person called it "sticky," while another described conditions as "kind of irritating." One thing was certain -- the weather had people looking for ways to beat the heat.

Milwaukee residents sought out shade and air conditioning wherever they could find it Thursday, as the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for all of southeastern Wisconsin.

"It's just so hot! No air conditioner, no fans, no nothing. Just hot out here," one person said.

Milwaukeeans tried to escape the heat by seeking shade, chugging fluids and eating popsicle, and seeking out any air conditioning they could find.

The city's water parks were packed Thursday as people of all ages took to the water for even a moment's relief from the heat.

"It's a good opportunity for the kids to get out and meet other kids and get them together and socialize," one person told FOX6 News.

While most dreaded the warmth and stickiness, Domonic Eubanks welcomed it.

"It's actually helping business out -- making a lot more money and getting a lot of new customers," Eubanks said.

Eubanks serves as an assistant manager at Ace Hardware and told FOX6 News he has never seen such an early rush for items designed to cool people down in the years he has been working there. Ironically enough, Eubanks and the other employees at Ace were also suffering through the heat Thursday, as the store does not have air conditioning.

"There are people coming in and buying a lot of box fans and air conditioners. They are just coming in, grabbing it off the shelves and not looking at the price," Eubanks said.

Eubanks said fans with metal blades are the best for pushing air.

"The best thing to get right now if you want to get a fan is a metal fan with the metal blades. It pushes lot more air. The box fans work pretty good but if you want something to push air, the metal blades is the way to go. It's a lot more durable and it lasts longer too," Eubanks said.

One city of Milwaukee resident had some advice for dealing with the extreme heat: "I say stay in the house or go to the water park or lake, because you will pass out in this weather."

CLICK HERE for details on city of Milwaukee cool spots and wading pools, and Milwaukee Health Department heat safety info.

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