CWLP and Ameren urge power conservation; hospitals warn about heat-related illness

City Water, Light and Power and Ameren Illinois are asking local customers to conserve energy in order to keep the electrical grid functional at the peak of a late-summer heat wave.

The Midcontent Independent System Operator, made up of 15 states including Illinois as well as the Canadian province of Manitoba, issued a Maximum Generation Alert from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. due to the high temperatures and a higher-than-expected load on the energy grid, along with forced generation outages in some areas.

CWLP said that if needed, they would ask customers to reduce their electric output during peak hours in order to avoid outages by issuing a conservation warning.

While Ameren isn't going as far, they said that people should take proactive steps in order to keep the grid strong.

"There is currently enough energy available to cover our customers' energy needs," said Shawn Schukar, chairman and president of Ameren Transmission Company. "By taking proactive steps now, we can help our neighbors and communities across Missouri and Illinois stay safe in this dangerous heat."

The push from local power companies comes as the hottest day of the week hit on Thursday. According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, temperatures in Springfield reached 97 degrees as of 3:52 p.m. with the possibility of heat indices getting up to 116. The forecasted high temperature of 99 degrees for Thursday was just two degrees off from the record for Aug. 24 set in 1937 and 1946, when temperatures hit 101 degrees.

The heat will not abate Friday, with highs set to reach 96 degrees, but scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected after 4 p.m., thanks to a cold front sagging south that could provide strong storms capable of producing heavy rain, hail and damaging wind gusts.

Power conservation

Even without the formal warning, the utility recommends that people set their thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, use floor or ceiling fans instead of central air conditioning, turn off all lights and electronics not in use, postpone major appliance use, and shade west-facing windows during the afternoon.

Ameren also recommends that people turn the thermostats down, use curtains and blinds to block out any sunlight, and not use appliances until after 10 p.m.

For larger areas or businesses, CWLP asks that water fountains be turned off or unplugged if they dispense chilled water, reduce lighting for showrooms and exterior signage, and shut down any non-essential pumps, motors, processes, or facilities if possible during peak hours.

Local health officials hoping people stay alert for signs of heat stroke

Health officials in Springfield are warning people about the risks of heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses as a late-summer heat wave reaches its peak.

Dr. Nida Feller, an emergency physician at Springfield Memorial Hospital, said that 10 people have come in over the course of the week complaining of a heat-related illness. While none were serious enough to require admission, she does want people to keep an eye out for symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in themselves or others.

"The main things are: wear loose-fitting clothes when being outside during those peak hours of the day between 12-4 p.m., drink plenty of fluids and if they start feeling light-headed or dizzy, feeling more fatigued or overly hot, know when to take a break and go inside and get some cool air if they can, especially if it's physical activity," Feller said.

More: A comprehensive list of Springfield area cancellations due to excessive heat warning

Tell-tale signs of heat illnesses

A fever higher than 104 degrees is one key sign of heat illness, Feller said. She also noted that doctors watch for if a patient is confused or in an altered state of mind to determine if the illness is severe.

"Those are the heat stroke-type symptoms that we look out for – high temperatures and confusion," Feller said. "Obviously, the trigger is being out in the heat (too long)."

There are key differences between heat stroke and heat exhaustion, which is milder. Feller said that heat exhaustion has symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and excessive sweat. Heat stroke can have all or some of those symptoms combined with confusion, vomiting, and a high body temperature.

"With heat exhaustion, you can have a high body temperature, (but) it improves without the necessary interventions heat stroke might need," Feller said. "Heat stroke is the scary, critical one that we worry about.

Cooling centers

Here's a list of Springfield's designated cooling centers across the city:

Municipal Center East (800 East Monroe Street) and West (300 South 7th Street): Open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Lincoln Library (326 South 7th Street): Open Monday-Wednesday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Office of Community Relations (1450 Groth Street): Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

St. John's Breadline (430 North 5th Street): Open Monday-Friday from 8-9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

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Salvation Army Main Campus (1600 Clear Lake Avenue): Open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; enter through the south side of the building off Martin Luther King Drive.

Salvation Army Overflow Shelter (221 North 11th Street): Overnight shelter open seven days a week from 7 p.m.-7 a.m.; day shelter open Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. depending on if temperatures reach 88 degrees or higher; weekend service subject to staffing and heat index.

Washington Street Mission (408 North 4th Street): Open Monday-Friday from 7:30-10:30 a.m. and 12:30-4:30 p.m.

Helping Hands (1023 East Washington Street): Open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m and Saturday-Sunday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Power companies, Springfield health officials urge precaution in extreme heat