‘Dangerously high’ heat in store for Wichita. How to stay safe, options for getting cool

Forecasters are expecting “dangerously high” temperatures and dry conditions for the Wichita area on Tuesday, in what will likely be the hottest day of the summer so far.

James Cuellar, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wichita, said Tuesday’s daytime high is expected to reach a blistering 107 degrees Fahrenheit, prompting a heat advisory to be issued for 1 to 8 p.m.

He urged adults, kids and pets to stay indoors where it’s cool and limit outdoor activities as much as possible — and cautioned those who have to be out in the heat to take regular breaks and stay hydrated to keep heat-related illnesses at bay.

For those who don’t have their own air-conditioned residences, he suggested seeking shelter at shopping malls or with neighbors, at least during the hottest part of the day.

“It’s one of those things where if you’re indoors (without air conditioning) that it could potentially be life threatening,” Cuellar said.

Heat indices will also be sweltering Tuesday, he said — but fortunately, they shouldn’t be much, if any, higher than the air temperature.

“It’s going to be above 105 for most of the area tomorrow,” Cuellar said, adding that there is “a little bit less humidity” right now “so we won’t see much above what the actual air temperature is.”

“Once you start getting above 105, that’s associated with either temperature or heat index, that’s when you have a higher susceptibility to heat-prone illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heatstroke,” he said.

City, organizations to help combat heat wave

To help combat the heat wave, the city of Wichita announced Monday that residents can ride the city’s public transportation for free Tuesday through Saturday. Buses and trolleys are equipped with air conditioning and Wi-Fi internet, the city said in a news release and news briefing, and people are encouraged to use them “as a way to beat the heat.”

Route information and operating times are available at www.wichitatransit.org.

The city’s public library locations, neighborhood resource centers and park and recreation centers are also open to the public and have air conditioning and water, the city said. The city’s pools and free-to-use splash pads are also places where people can cool off.

Addresses and operation times for the city buildings, splash pads and pools appear at the end of this article. You can also find information about them at www.wichita.gov.

For those who are homeless, the ICT Street Team will be passing out water and electrolyte packets and helping address medical issues, while the Wichita Homeless Outreach Team will be handing out water and connecting people with shelters and services, the city said. Anyone who wants to donate bottled water to the homeless outreach team can call 316-854-3013.

The Salvation Army, 350 N. Market, also has donated fans to hand out to Sedgwick County residents but asks them to call first for availability at 316-263-2769. In addition, the organization’s downtown address will also serve as a cooling station, offering air conditioning, water and ice, according to the city.

The United Methodist Open Door daytime shelter, 402 E. Second St., is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, serves lunch daily, is air conditioned and has water on hand, the city says. Other shelters include the Union Rescue Mission, 2800 N. Hillside; Humankind Ministries, 829 N. Market; and the Salvation Army.

People can also call the United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline to be connected to a variety of resources.

“We urge residents to stay inside as much as possible, utilize our city resources as you can, hydrate regularly, bring pets indoors and make sure that you have plenty of water,” Wichita vice mayor Becky Tuttle said.

Record heat

If Tuesday’s temperature reaches 107, it will topple Wichita’s previous high this year of 104 degrees, set Saturday.

The last time Wichita’s temperature hit 107 degrees was five years ago, on July 22, 2017.

But Tuesday should still be several degrees shy of the city’s all-time record high of 114, set on Aug. 12, 1936, Cuellar said.

The state’s all-time record high of 121 degrees was set that same summer, on July 18 in Fredonia, the National Weather Service said Monday on Twitter.

“We’re not looking to hit that,” Cuellar said.

Temperatures will be around 100 degrees for the remainder of the week, with similarly scorching highs of 105 in store again for Saturday and Sunday.

“It’s not heat that we haven’t seen before,” he said. “But obviously you want to take precautions just in case.”

Where to go to cool off

Here are some city-run facilities were people can go to escape the heat forecasted for this week. Most locations listed have air-conditioning and drinking water sources, such as water fountains, available. Everything but the city pools is free to use.

Neighborhood resource centers

The centers are open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. They close for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

• Atwater, 2755 E. 19th St N.

• Colvin, 2820 S. Roosevelt St.

• Evergreen, 2601 N. Arkansas.

Park and recreation centers

• Boston, 6655 E. Zimmerly. Open 9 a.m. to 3 pm. and 6-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

• Brewer (formely McAdams), 1329 E. 16th St. N. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

• Edgemoor, 5815 E. 9th St. N. Open 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday except when classes are not in session (it closes at 5 p.m. on non-class days), 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

• Evergreen, 2700 N. Woodland. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday.

• Linwood, 1901 S. Kansas. Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.

• Lynette Woodard, 2750 E. 18th St. N. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday.

• Orchard Park, 4808 W. 9th. Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Public library locations

• Advanced Learning Library, 711 W. 2nd. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

• Alford Branch, 3447 S. Meridian. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed on Sunday through Labor Day.

• Angelou Northeast Branch, 3051 E. 21st St. N. Open 1-8 p.m. Tuesday, 1-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday.

• Evergreen Community Center and Library, 2601 N. Arkansas. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed on Sunday through Labor Day.

• Rockwell Branch, 5939 E. 9th. St. N. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed on Sunday through Labor Day.

• Walters Branch, 4195 E. Harry. Open 1-8 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday.

• Westlink Branch, 8515 Bekemeyer. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed on Sunday through Labor Day.

Splash pads

All splash pads are open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. They are free to use. Pets are not allowed. The city says people should not drink the splash pad water.

• Boston Park, 6655 E. Zimmerly

• Buffalo Park, 10201 Hardtner

• Edgemoor Park, 5813 E. 9th St. N.

• Evergreen Park, 2700 N. Woodland Ave.

• Fairmount Park, 1647 N. Yale

• Lincoln Park, 1323 S. Topeka

• Linwood South Park, 1901 S. Kansas

• Old Town Plaza, 301 N. Mead

• Osage Park, 2121 W. 31st St. S.

• Riverside Central Park, 720 Nims

Pools

All pools are open 1-5:15 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and from 1-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Daily admission is $3 per person. There is also a $15 family rate for eight people, one of whom must be an adult.

• Aley, 1800 S. Seneca

• College Hill, 304 S. Circle Dr.

• Harvest, 9500 W. Provincial

• McAfee, 1240 E. 14th St. N.

• Minisa, 1350 N. Jeanette

• Orchard, 1062 N. Clara

Beat the heat

Here are some tips for staying cool and staying safe if you have to be outside:

• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose clothes and hats and sunglasses

• Apply sunscreen and lip balm of SPF 15 or higher

• Limit outdoor activity

• Drink more fluids; don’t wait until you’re thirsty

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, high-sugar drinks and very cold drinks

• Stay indoors and, if possible, go somewhere air-conditioned

• Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle

Keep your furry friends safe by:

• Not leaving pets unattended in cars

• Watching for signs of heatstroke, which include heavy panting, inability to calm down, brick-red gum color, fast pulse, inability to get up

• Making sure pets have plenty of fresh, cool water

• Bringing pets indoors, especially during the hottest parts of the day

You could be experiencing heat exhaustion if you have:

• Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin

• Heavy sweating

• A headache

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Weakness

• Feel exhausted

You can help treat heat exhaustion by:

• Moving to a cooler place

• Removing or loosening tight clothing

• Applying cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin

• Using a fan

• Drinking small amounts of cool water slowly

• Watching for changes in condition; call 911 if vomiting or the loss of consciousness occurs

Signs of heatstroke, which is life-threatening, include:

• Hot, red skin that may be dry or moist

• Changes in consciousness

• Vomiting and high body temperature

You can help a heatstroke victim by:

• Calling 911

• Moving (yourself or them) to a cooler place

• Quickly cooling down by immersing the body up to the neck in cold water if possible; if not, spray the body with cold water or cover it with wet towels or bags of ice

Sources: American Red Cross; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention