The John Bryan Community Center has been designated a 24-hour cooling center. The Yellow Springs Library is also available during hours of operation. In an emergency, please call 911. (Photo courtesy of Village of Yellow Springs Facebook page)
Emergency cooling shelters established
- Published: July 28, 2023
Because the current high temperatures can be life threatening, anyone who does not have access to a cool environment is encouraged to relocate to emergency cooling shelters.
John Bryan Center
The Village of Yellow Springs has designated the John Bryan Community Center, located at 100 Dayton Street, as a 24-hour emergency cooling center during the current heat wave and until further notice. The Community Center may be accessed through the doors marked “Police Department.” For more information, call the Police Department’s non-emergency number, 937-767-7206.
Yellow Springs Library
All Greene County Community Libraries are official cooling centers as designated by the Red Cross and the Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management. The Yellow Springs Library, located at 415 Xenia Ave., is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and can be reached at 937-352-4003. Each location provides air conditioning, charging stations, drinking fountains, and access to other community resources and assistance.
Yellow Springs Senior Center
The Yellow Springs Senior Center, located at 227 Xenia Ave., 937-767-5751, is also available as a cooling center. The center’s hours are Mon.-Fri., 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Welfare checks
If you are concerned about an individual’s well-being, please contact the Yellow Springs Police Department via the non-emergency number, 937-767-7206, to arrange for a welfare check.
Why heat can be so dangerous
The heat index, also known as the apparent temperature, is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature. When the body gets too hot, it begins to sweat, and if the sweat is not able to evaporate, the body cannot regulate its temperature. When humidity is high, evaporation slows down. That is why a “dry heat” may seem more bearable than a “humid heat.”
Dehydration
In any heat, it is critical to remain hydrated. Signs of dehydration include:
• Headache, delirium, confusion.
• Tiredness (fatigue).
• Dizziness, weakness, light-headedness.
• Dry mouth and/or a dry cough.
• High heart rate but low blood pressure.
• Loss of appetite but maybe craving sugar.
• Flushed (red) skin. Swollen feet. Muscle cramps.
• Heat intolerance, or chills.
Rehydration can be achieved by drinking water, moderately strong coffee and tea, or skim and low fat milk. Eating fruits and vegetables can also be helpful. In more severe cases, an oral hydration solution is recommended. If symptoms persist, please call 911 or get to a hospital or emergency clinic.
Heat index chart
The chart below shows the perceived temperature with respect to actual temperature and humidity. Note the cautionary zones.
National Weather Service heat index chart.
Sources: Weather.gov, my.clevelandclinic.org, healthline.com
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