Cooling Centers Are Now Open as Dangerous Heat Wave Hits Southern Indiana

As the expression goes, "It isn't the heat. It's the humidity," and right now, that combination has resulted in a Heat Advisory issued by the National Weather Service for a June heatwave across Indiana.

Sadly, not all of our friends and neighbors can beat the heat at home. Fortunately, there are cooling centers available in our community to help. Keep reading to find their locations and to learn a little more about the extreme heat.

What Makes Heat and Humidity So Dangerous

When the humidity is high, it can increase the risk of heat intolerance. Our bodies are naturally designed to cool themselves. We sweat or perspire when we get too hot, and when that sweat evaporates from our skin, it cools the body. This is one form of thermoregulation - the way our body regulates its temperature.

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Like most systems, they are only good until they aren't, and there is a bit of a design flaw in this one. When it is incredibly humid, with a higher percentage of moisture in the air, like it often is in the Midwest, our sweat doesn't evaporate as quickly or efficiently. The result? We can quickly overheat, leading to a higher likelihood of experiencing heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses.

READ MORE: These Medications Can Make the Heat More Dangerous for You

Not only does increased humidity reduce our body's ability to cool itself, but when you pair the high humidity with high temperatures, it can create an environment that feels much hotter than it already is. So while the thermometer may read 95°, high humidity can easily make it feel like it's 105°.

Understanding the Heat Index

That "feels like" temperature is what's known as a heat index, and when the heat index reaches into the triple digits, it's time to take precautions. For some folks, that may mean simply staying inside and out of the heat. For others, it may mean the need to leave their home to go somewhere cooler.

Where to Find Cooling Centers in the Tri-State

With heat indexes rising into the triple digits, getting out of the hot house and somewhere cooler could be life-saving. Cooling centers located in Vanderburgh County and Warrick County have opened in Southern Indiana to help combat the oppressive temperatures.

In Evansville, a cooling station has been opened at the C.K. Newsome Center to provide relief from the extreme heat. The cooling center will be open from 8 am until 5 pm, and is located at 100 East Walnut Street. Additionally, all Evansville-Vanderburgh Public Library branches are available as cooling stations during normal hours of operation.

Likewise, Impact Ministries has opened its doors in Boonville to provide a reprieve from the heat. According to Facebook, they are located at 509 East Walnut Street and will be open around the clock until further notice, with everyone welcome.

More Resources to Stay Cool and Safe

If you need additional information or are looking for cooling centers outside of these two Indiana counties, you can call 2-1-1 or visit the National Center for Healthy Housing. Wherever you are, stay hydrated and stay safe. Don't forget to check on your neighbors, and keep reading to learn how you can help protect your four-legged family members from the heat, too.