|
|
|
Independence, MO —
The intense summer heat is putting a burden on the Salvation Army’s Crossroads Shelter in Independence.
It’s one of the area’s heat shelters – and Eastern Jackson County’s only designated overnight shelter for families – so more people are coming through the door.
“So the demand is growing and growing. They just want something to drink,” said Major Butch Frost of Crossroads.
That strains resources. Remember the time around the Fourth of July, with five straight 100-plus days? That put a $5,000 hole in the Crossroads budget. More people showed up needing services, more staff needed to be called in, more people needed to be fed and, in many cases, sheltered.
The shelter is full on a typical day anyway, and usually several families each day have to be turned away. Now cots are out for emergency overnight stays because of the heat, and they’ll use the gym if they have to.
“Right now, we don’t turn anybody away,” Frost said.
They could use some help, Frost said. Send donations to The Salvation Army, 14700 E. Truman Road, Independence, Mo., 64050.
Even the price of a good fan would help. Crossroads gives away many when it’s hot.
“We can’t keep fans in stock,” Frost said.
The heat isn’t going away. On Wednesday, it reached 106 at Kansas City International Airport – the record is 111 in 1954 – and the National Weather Service extended the excessive heat warning through 7 p.m. Sunday. It also reached 104 in Lee’s Summit and 106 at the downtown airport.
Today’s forecast high is 100 with a slight chance of thundershowers and a heat index topping out at 104. That’s followed by 100 on Friday, 97 Saturday, 100 Sunday and Monday, 103 Tuesday and 102 Wednesday. That’s as far as the forecast goes, but the Weather Service has hinted that the triple-digits could last into the end of next week.
Even getting into the air-conditioning for a couple of hours a day helps, and local cooling centers are open:
* Crossroads, 14700 E. Truman Road, is open as a shelter from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until the excessive heat warning ends. Cold drinks and light snacks are provided.
* The Sermon Center at Noland and Truman roads in Independence is open as a cooling center during regular hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 to 5 Friday and noon to 6 Sunday.
* The Palmer Center, at 218 N. Pleasant just west of the Independence Square, is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 to 5 Friday and 1 to 1 Saturday.
* Vesper Hall, 400 N.W. Vesper St., Blue Springs is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 8 am. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
And remember what’s become standard advice in this extra-hot summer: Take care of yourself by drinking plenty of water. Cut down on strenuous outdoor activity, and do those tasks either before around 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check on friends and family members, especially the elderly.
Outdoor pets need shade and plenty of fresh water every day.
National Weather Service, Pleasant Hill: www.weather.gov/kc
The intense summer heat is putting a burden on the Salvation Army’s Crossroads Shelter in Independence.
It’s one of the area’s heat shelters – and Eastern Jackson County’s only designated overnight shelter for families – so more people are coming through the door.
“So the demand is growing and growing. They just want something to drink,” said Major Butch Frost of Crossroads.
That strains resources. Remember the time around the Fourth of July, with five straight 100-plus days? That put a $5,000 hole in the Crossroads budget. More people showed up needing services, more staff needed to be called in, more people needed to be fed and, in many cases, sheltered.
The shelter is full on a typical day anyway, and usually several families each day have to be turned away. Now cots are out for emergency overnight stays because of the heat, and they’ll use the gym if they have to.
“Right now, we don’t turn anybody away,” Frost said.
They could use some help, Frost said. Send donations to The Salvation Army, 14700 E. Truman Road, Independence, Mo., 64050.
Even the price of a good fan would help. Crossroads gives away many when it’s hot.
“We can’t keep fans in stock,” Frost said.
The heat isn’t going away. On Wednesday, it reached 106 at Kansas City International Airport – the record is 111 in 1954 – and the National Weather Service extended the excessive heat warning through 7 p.m. Sunday. It also reached 104 in Lee’s Summit and 106 at the downtown airport.
Today’s forecast high is 100 with a slight chance of thundershowers and a heat index topping out at 104. That’s followed by 100 on Friday, 97 Saturday, 100 Sunday and Monday, 103 Tuesday and 102 Wednesday. That’s as far as the forecast goes, but the Weather Service has hinted that the triple-digits could last into the end of next week.
Even getting into the air-conditioning for a couple of hours a day helps, and local cooling centers are open:
* Crossroads, 14700 E. Truman Road, is open as a shelter from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until the excessive heat warning ends. Cold drinks and light snacks are provided.
* The Sermon Center at Noland and Truman roads in Independence is open as a cooling center during regular hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 to 5 Friday and noon to 6 Sunday.
* The Palmer Center, at 218 N. Pleasant just west of the Independence Square, is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 to 5 Friday and 1 to 1 Saturday.
* Vesper Hall, 400 N.W. Vesper St., Blue Springs is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 8 am. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
And remember what’s become standard advice in this extra-hot summer: Take care of yourself by drinking plenty of water. Cut down on strenuous outdoor activity, and do those tasks either before around 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check on friends and family members, especially the elderly.
Outdoor pets need shade and plenty of fresh water every day.
National Weather Service, Pleasant Hill: www.weather.gov/kc
