Here are some services available in Columbia to escape this week's hazardous heat
It's really hot.
That can be dangerous, especially for those with low incomes, advocates say.
Wednesday is expected to be the worst day of the heat wave, said Jayson Gosselin, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis.
"We have a large ridge of high pressure right above us, forming a heat dome," Gosselin said.
An excessive heat warning for Boone County remains in effect until 11 p.m. Thursday. Heat indexes could get up to 109 degrees.
The predicted high temperature is 101 on Wednesday. No temperature records are expected to be broken, Gosselin said.
Temperatures previously climbed to record levels in May.
Central Missouri Community Action offers utility assistance of up to $1,200 for residents who meet income guidelines. People can also get window air conditioners through the program, said director Darin Preis.
CMCA doesn't install the air conditioners, he said.
People no longer need a utility shutoff notice to qualify, he said.
CMCA's weatherization program, available year-round, provides qualifying homeowners and renters with insulation, heating and AC improvement, utility replacement, and sometimes replacement of windows and doors.
"This time of year is really scary," Preis said.
The heat can be deadly, he said.
"We are very concerned about low-income residents of our community, because they're at the highest risk," Preis said.
Applications for the programs are available on the CMCA website at CMCA.US.
For those with access to fax machines, the number is 1-573-370-1212. People can also email 15733701212@hellofax.com, Preis said.
Voluntary Action Center provides box fans and window air conditioners, with different income qualifications for each, said coordinator Olivia Banik.
"The need has been increasing," Banik said.
Some of the fans and air conditioners were handed out at the start of the summer as word of the programs reached people, she said.
"It's definitely surged a little bit with weather getting hotter," Banik said.
The extreme heat can be bad enough for people in good health, she said.
"For families with young children and for the most vulnerable people in our community, being able to help with that is important," Banik said.
VAC welcomes donations of working box fans or monetary donations to buy them, she said.
City cooling centers include those at the Activity and Recreation Center; City Hall; the Columbia Public Library; and Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, all during regular business hours.
People should limit their time outside during extreme heat, said Gosselin, the meteorologist. People should wear light-colored clothing and sunscreen if outside. It's best to be in an air-conditioned building if possible.
It's also important to drink plenty of water before, during and after being outside, he said.
This weather pattern isn't unusual for our region during the summer, he said.
"I would say once every other summer this happens," Gosselin said.
Columbia will have "near-normal temperatures" by this weekend, he added.
Roger McKinney is the education reporter for the Tribune. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on Twitter at @rmckiinney9.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Columbia under excessive heat warning. Cooling centers, fans available
