In response to several straight days in a row with temperatures exceeding three digits, officials from the City of Hattiesburg have opened three “cooling stations” at various recreation centers around the city to allow residents a reprieve from the oppressive heat of the summer.
The stations are open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, until at least June 30; those dates may be extended if the heat continues at its current pace. The sites are located at the Jackie Dole Sherrill Community Center (220 West Front Street), Sigler Center (315 Conti Street) and the C.E. Roy Community Center (300 East 5th Street).
“We obviously want to have a safe place for people that may need it for any circumstance, but we’re considering people that don’t have the financial means to run their air conditioners during the heat of the day, or maybe they don’t have air conditioning at all,” said Chris Carr, assistant fire chief for the Hattiesburg Fire Department. “Or maybe they have a medical condition that just would be better for them to come to a community center and cool off.
“(The temperature) has actually steadily climbed, and I think we’re forecast to be in the 110 to 115 (degree) actual temperature range. I know we’re looking at about 100 (degrees) right now, and it’s going up a few degrees each day. This is going to put a strain on a lot of people financially, and just all of the things that you can imagine that go along with this kind of heat.”
The stations will feature air conditioning and coolers full of stocked water. After June 30, officials will re-evaluate the temperature for the coming days and decide whether to keep the stations open.
“Relatively, it’s supposed to cool off some next week, to the lower to mid-90s,” Carr said. “So it’ll still be hot, but it won’t be quite as brutal.”
In addition to taking advantage of the cooling stations, residents are advised to take the following measures to stay safe in the heat and humidity:
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated;
- If it is necessary to be outside, find shad or wear a hat wide enough to protect the face;
- Avoid high-energy activities or work that takes place outdoors during the mid-day heat; and
- Never leave people or pets in a closed car on a warm day, even for a short amount of time.
Symptoms or signs of heat-related illness can include heat strokes, which result in high body temperatures, along with dry skin with no seat and dizziness. Victims of heat exposure also may experience heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps and weakness.
In addition to the cooling stations, the Hattiesburg Fire Department also will be on hand from 1-3 p.m. on Thursdays at Thames Elementary School on Jamestown Road for Summer Splash Days. The splash pad at Dewitt Sullivan Park, located in Palmers Crossing, also is open for residents.
“I know we’ve had a few people stop by (at the cooling stations),” Carr said. “I do anticipate that the numbers will rise as the week goes, because there are people right now that are just kind of trying to suffer through it.
“At some point, there’s going to be a lot of strain on older air conditioners, and eventually I do anticipate the numbers (of people at the stations) to rise.”
