Public buildings proposed as cooling centers in Lenawee County

LENAWEE COUNTY — Some like the heat, as the 1959 movie titles and 1985 song say, but not everyone tolerates heat well.

With heat index values expected to reach 100 this week – think of the heat index as the summer equivalent of winter’s wind chill factor – prolonged exposure to high temperatures could lead to heat-related illnesses. heat. Heat advisories and warnings are expected to remain in effect through the end of the week, the National Weather Service office near Pontiac said.

To provide respite to those without access to air conditioning, some public buildings are being offered as cooling centers. Across the county, public libraries are available during regular business hours, Craig Tanis, Lenawee County emergency management coordinator, said in a text message. These locations are:

Hours vary by location. Not all Lenawee District Library branches are open every day. Some libraries may be closed on Wednesdays for the June 16 holiday.

All Lenawee County senior centers are also open for lunch and provide a cool place to gather during the week, except Wednesday, when they will be closed on June 19. These locations are:

Addison: 101 S. Talbot Street
Adrian: 327 Erie Street.
Bliss-Liewert: 206 S. Lane St., Blissfield
Hudson: 323 W. Main Street
Morenci: 811 W. Coomer Street.
Onsted: 333 Connor Street.
Tecumseh: 703 E. Chicago Blvd.

In Tecumseh, the AJ Smith Recreation Center, 810 N. Evans St., and the Tecumseh City Council Chambers, City Hall, 309 E. Chicago Blvd., are open to visitors during their normal hours to protect themselves heat. . Both sites will be closed Wednesday due to a training day planned for city employees on June 16.

According to the National Weather Service, young children and infants, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and pregnant women are at higher risk of heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Children, disabled people and pets should never be left in a hot car where they could die within 10 minutes of exposure to excessive heat. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, thirst, heavy sweating, nausea and weakness. People with these symptoms should move to a cooler place, sip cool water, and loosen their clothing. If symptoms persist for more than an hour or the person vomits, seek medical attention.

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Heat stroke is more severe and manifests with symptoms such as a throbbing headache, dizziness, confusion, body temperature above 103 degrees, and loss of consciousness. If someone has these symptoms, call 911 or take them to a hospital immediately, loosen their clothing, move them to a cooler area, and cool them with water or ice.

The Lenawee Humane Society offers these tips for protecting animals from the heat:

Provide them with shade and water.
Don’t leave them in cars.
Keep them off the asphalt to protect their paws.
Limit their exercise.
Watch for signs of heat stroke, such as excessive panting, discolored gums and mobility problems. If these symptoms are observed, consult a veterinarian immediately.

Along with the heat, scattered thunderstorms, like those that swept through the Palmyra, Blissfield and Deerfield areas on Monday, are possible every day this week, Tanis said.

To receive warnings about severe weather and other emergencies via phone call, text or email, sign up for Lenawee Alerts with the county Office of Emergency Management at lenaweealerts.com.

— Contact journalist David Panian at [email protected] or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @lenaweepanian.