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We’re less than a week into summer, yet the heat index across the Ozarks has reached well over 100 degrees. When the heat gets to be too much, cooling centers offer a much-needed relief. This week several cooling centers around Springfield opened to provide such relief. KSMU’s Adam Hammons reports.
Organizations around town are opening their doors to people in need of just a little respite from the heat. When a heat advisory is in effect, cooling centers provide much needed help.
The cooling center at the Salvation Army on Chestnut Expressway, is open 24 hours. Other facilities provide relief from the heat also: both YMCAs in Springfield, the commons building at OTC, and the American Red Cross headquarters on West Bypass.
Jeff Smith, the director of the Salvation Army in Springfield, explains what the cooling center provides.
"We offer a cool place for people to come in out of the heat and rest. We can get over-heated and we just need to sit down and cool and rest and get a drink of water and use the restroom and relax."
The centers can also be a home away from home for some. Shirley McDonald, Spokesperson for the Salvation Army, explains.
"We actually have had situations where families don't have proper cooling, proper air conditioning at home and so forth. It will allow familes to come in, especially with small children or the elderly."
All cooling centers will remain open as long as heat advisories are in effect.
For KSMU, I’m Adam Hammons.
