With heat index surpassing 100 degrees, Lexington takes action to help protect people
With the heat index projected to hit 100 degrees or more for the next several days, Lexington has activated Phase One of the city’s Heat Plan.
The National Weather Service in Louisville said Lexington’s heat index — the temperature it feels like outside when humidity is taken into account — is expected to be 100 degrees on Sunday and Monday and 103 degrees on Tuesday.
High temperatures will be in the 90s through Wednesday and in the upper 80s Thursday and Friday, the weather service’s forecast stated.
Some isolated thunderstorms could be possible Saturday night and Sunday, the weather service said.
The city announced the heat plan would be in effect from Saturday through Tuesday, triggering several accommodations, including:
• People experiencing homelessness can ride Lextran to a cooling station for free.
• The Dunbar, Kenwick, Castlewood and Tates Creek community centers will stay open until early evening.
• Cooling stations are being opened at Arbor Youth Services, Lexington Rescue Mission, Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, New Life Day Center, New Vista Drop-In Center, Nathaniel Mission and Recovery Café Lexington. Some of those facilities may have restrictions on hours and who can stay there, according to information provided on Lextran’s website.
• “Beat the Heat” cooling kits will be distributed by the Division of Environmental Services Sustainability in conjunction with community partners, and outreach teams also will be distributing supplies.
• Waste collection will begin early, with commercial service beginning at 3:30 a.m. and residential service beginning at 4:30 a.m. Carts should be put out on the curb the night before collection.
“Lexington will monitor the heat index and expand options and resources as necessary,” the city said in a news release.
The Division of Emergency Management said people should be mindful of the heat and take precautions to stay safe outside, especially from mid-morning through afternoon. Young children, the elderly and people with medical conditions are particularly vulnerable, the city said.
