Stats don’t lie, it’s hot outside

LIMA - Who says you can't believe statistics?

On the day forecasters say is statistically expected to be the hottest of the year, the region is actually seeing some of the hottest weather of the year. The National Weather Service was calling for a high of 90 Thursday, and few doubted it would get there. By mid-afternoon, temperatures had hit the 80s and kept climbing. Forecasters are expecting more of the same for today.

On the bright side, at least it's a moist heat.

"Temperatures this time of year are commonly in upper 80s. Now, there's a string of high pressure in the Southwestern states and that's pushing them to 90 or above. Of course, once we get temperatures that high humidity kicks in and heat indexes into the lower 90s," said Lonnie Fisher, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

July 17 is statistically the hottest day of the year, averaging 85 degrees. By late afternoon, some folks were fantasizing about the days of a relatively cool 85.

"I don't know what they say it is, but it feels like 100. I think we've gotten spoiled so far. Now we're getting hot," said Jerry Morris as he took a break from mowing a lawn along the Market Street corridor.

That heat and humidity had many of us heading to the beach, or the next best thing. At Schoonover Pool, a line of 60-plus children waited not-so-patiently on staffers to open the gates for the day. By mid-afternoon there wasn't a spare foot of watery real estate in the pool.

"It's packed, man," said a very wet Juella Robinson as she eyed the crowded pool for a clear place to enter. "It doesn't matter though. It's too hot not to be here."

The 9-year-old was lucky enough to live within walking distance of the city's only public pool. She doesn't consider herself a regular, but Thursday, she planned on taking up residency.

"I'm staying here as long as they'll let me. When you're in the water it's nice. When you're not, it's not," she said.

Not everybody could make it to water. Jim Packard spent Thursday afternoon trying to beat the heat in the tree shade of Town Square. The 67-year-old spends a lot of days on the downtown sidewalks, and usually enjoys the time. But Thursday's heat was almost enough to drive him inside, despite the fact that his apartment has no air conditioner.

"If I had air conditioning I'd be in it. It's OK here when you're in the shade, but it's still too hot," Packard said.

With utility costs climbing even quicker than the mercury, air conditioning is increasingly a luxury. Earlier this year, the Lima Allen Council on Community Affairs announced it did not have the funds to sustain its program for providing free air conditioners to the needy. And many of those who have air conditioners are hesitant to turn them on.

Dave Rosebrock, Allen County health commissioner, said people need to be aware of those friends and neighbors who may be in danger from the heat.

"It's important for neighbors and family to check on folks who are at increased risk," Rosebrock said. "If they do not have access to air condition, then ideally someone could help them maybe find a place, the mall or some such facility where they can go at least for a few hours a day to cool off."

The elderly, infants and those suffering from chronic heart and respiratory problems are at particular risk from the heat, Rosebrock said. Tips such as taking a cool shower to lower body temperature, try to stay in the shade as much as possible, and drink plenty of water, can all help, but ultimately, when the 90-plus days start to pile up, good friends are the best safety device.

"We need to keep an eye on each other, particularly folks who may be at risk. That's more important than anything else," Rosebrock said.