Lexington implements Phase One Heat Plan for the rest of the week
Republished from WEKU.
Officials with the city of Lexington have activated their Phase One Heat Plan. The heat index is expected to be between 97-99 degrees for the rest of the week.
The heat index combines temperature and humidity to approximate how hot it “feels” outside. Officials will monitor the heat index and expand options and resources as necessary.
Emily Fay is the public information officer for Lexington Emergency Management. She said there are a few actions being taken to help locals beat the heat.
“So the Phase One Heat Plan is activated and implemented when the heat index reaches 95 degrees or higher, so that’s how hot it feels outside, not necessarily how hot it actually is outside. So what this involves is opening up cooling centers and passing water to those in need.”
Fay said the Fourth of July falling in this time frame does cause a slight problem.
“Fourth of July being a national holiday, some of those traditional cooling centers will be closed, but the office of homelessness prevention and intervention has arranged for Lighthouse Ministries to be open on Thursday. That is at 190 Spruce Street in Lexington.”
Fay said there will be teams moving through the city alerting people in need of the cooling centers and providing water. LexTran will provide rides to cooling stations for those experiencing homelessness free of charge.
Lexington’s community centers, which include Dunbar, Kenwick, Castlewood, and Tates Creek, will be open into the early evening and will serve as cooling stations.
More information about handling extreme heat is available from the Lexington Emergency Management website.
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Originally published by WEKU.
Republished with permission.
