Clark County did not wait for the thermometer to hit triple digits. With a heat advisory pushing temperatures into the mid 90s yesterday, officials opened multiple cooling centers as Springfield recorded a high near 96 degrees and residents headed for libraries, churches and the Salvation Army to get a break from the heat.
Where to cool off
The county’s Emergency Management Agency has verified several cooling sites, including the Salvation Army at 15 S. Plum St., First Lutheran Church’s Wittenberg Hall at 30 S. Wittenberg Ave. (open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through tomorrow) and the New Carlisle Church of the Brethren at 219 N. Main St., according to the Springfield News‑Sun. Hours vary by location, so residents are encouraged to call ahead before heading out. Organizations that want to be added as verified cooling centers were asked to contact the EMA by email, the paper reported.
Libraries offering relief
The Clark County Public Library says all of its branches, including Main, Park, Southgate, Houston, Enon, Tuttle, Northridge and New Carlisle, are open as cooling options for anyone who needs air conditioning. Local broadcaster WHIO has also shared the county’s list and urged residents to confirm hours before making the trip. Inside, people can expect steady air conditioning, a place to sit and access to drinking water if they do not have a cool space at home.
Heat advisory through Thursday
The National Weather Service in Wilmington has a heat advisory in effect through tomorrow at 8 p.m. for Clark County and several neighboring counties, warning that heat index values could climb above 100 and that highs will stay in the mid to upper 90s. Forecasters urge residents to keep an eye on local updates and to limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day.
What officials are urging
Clark County EMA is reminding residents to stay hydrated, spend time in air-conditioned buildings when possible, check on elderly neighbors, and never leave children or pets in parked vehicles. “Working together, we can help ensure everyone in our community has access to a safe, cool place during this period of extreme heat,” EMA wrote in a message cited by the Springfield News‑Sun.
Anyone needing a cool place is urged to call ahead to cooling centers or check the library system’s website for current hours. Organizations interested in registering as verified cooling centers should contact the Clark County EMA at [email protected] or visit the Clark County EMA online. The Salvation Army’s Springfield community center at 15 S. Plum St. is among the listed sites and may be able to help with transportation or other needs.
