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Relief from the heat:If you or someone you know is in need of a fan, call 423-756-1023. Those in need of a cool drink of water can visit the Salvation Army’s hydration station at 800 McCallie Ave., from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. every day the temperature exceeds 90 degrees.To donate:Monetary gifts should be marked “Beat the Heat” and mailed to 822 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403. They are also accepted online at www.csarmy.org or on the phone by calling 1-800-Sal-Army.
The first day of summer is still four days away, but midsummer-like temperatures already have cooked the region for the last few weeks.
National Weather Service meteorologist Jessica Winton said the steady temperatures in the low to mid-90s are slightly higher than last June’s average high of 88, though there are other factors making it feel even hotter.
“Last year, we had a cool summer, so this is hot by comparison,” Winton said.
Winton said the heat index, which combines air temperature and humidity into a calculation of what it actually feels like outside, has been up around 100 several times already. Despite it feeling hotter than normal, Winton said there isn’t cause for alarm at this point.
“These temperatures are below our advisory criteria,” she said.
Still, the Salvation Army is coming to the aid of those who have no refuge from the heat. With its “Beat the Heat” campaign, Salvation Army caseworkers are distributing free box fans and water to low-income individuals and families. It has also opened its Day Center for homeless people to get out of the heat, and is distributing bottles of water to people out in the downtown area.
Major Algerome Newsome, area commander for the Salvation Army, said in a news release that close to 200 families have already been given box fans, though many still need financial assistance.
“For now, we have enough fans to meet the need; however, we are dangerously low on utility assistance funds,” Newsome said. “The best way to help is with a monetary donation.”
Winton said cloud cover and thunderstorms from a high-pressure system, as well as residual effects from Tropical Storm Bill making its way up through Texas this week, should make it feel a little cooler later in the week, though daytime highs will still be in the low 90s through Monday.
That’s tough news for Adam Suttles, who is assistant supervisor over the concrete pouring for a two-story parking deck for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga at the corner of Douglas and 10th streets. On Tuesday afternoon, Suttles was taking a break from the heat, sipping on an iced tea in a garage adjacent to the site.
“Today’s the worst we’ve had out here,” Suttles said. “But everyone knows to keep drinking that water.”
Suttles said his crew, which works from about 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. each day, typically gets breaks at 9, 12 and 2:30, though on days like Tuesday, they’re encouraged to take one whenever they need to.
“Anytime someone does want to take a break, we can’t say anything to them, they know to just go ahead when they need to,” he said.
Contact Will Healey at whealey@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731.