Despite Heat, Few Take Advantage of Cooling Centers

Roasting, sizzling, what words can you think of to describe the extreme heat today and what did you do to stay cool?  Another excessive heat warning day could actually top Tuesday's record.

Some people have to work in this heat, but just being outside for a short time can be wilting.

Stephanie Coffer had to wait in the heat for about 45 minutes at the bus station in downtown Springfield,  "It's hot.  I mean just miserably hot," she said.  But her wait was for a free ride to the Salvation Army's cooling station, which she says she is grateful for. 

Surprisingly, very few people are taking advantage of the air conditioned lobby of the Salvation Army, the cool water and the food that is available. 
   
"We've been offering this cooling station over several days now and there's just been a trickle of people mainly during the day," says Major Norman Grainger, director of the Salvation Army in Springfield.  "Even though we are a 24 hour shelter, we've had no one stay over night."

Amy Williams was at the shelter Wednesday, seeking some relief.  "We have two window AC's but it still gets pretty hot.  We live in a trailer so it makes it even hotter."

While the front of the Salvation Army building is cool, the gymnasium in the back of the building is not.  The main air conditioning is broken.  Volunteers preparing for tomorrow's United Way Day of Caring stayed close to the fans while they sorted clothes and school supplies.

City Utilities is still offering those rides free to the cooling centers but one spokesman said ridership isn't as high as expected given this high heat.

Grainger thinks people are coping at home, or going to public places like the libraries and shopping centers, and he says Missourians must be resilient to this heat.

Cooling stations will be available as long as heat warnings and advisories are issued.  Grainer says there are typically a lot more people at the Salvation Army's warming centers in the winter than at the cooling centers this time of year.