Lexington activates heat plan in response to soaring temperatures. Here’s what it does
The high temperatures this week in Central Kentucky could put vulnerable residents in harm’s way. Lexington is opening several resources city-wide to help people stay cool.
The city’s heat plan, which kicks in when the heat index hits 95 degrees or higher, is now in effect. Cooling stations are open throughout Lexington and community centers are keeping extended hours for families to stay comfortable in an air-conditioned space. The plan will be in effect through 9 p.m. Thursday.
The heat index in Lexington is expected to reach 105 degrees, forecasters say. The heat index combines the temperature, humidity and other factors to determine how hot it feels outside.
Lextran will provide free rides to cooling centers for homeless residents. Those centers are:
- Arbor Youth Services
- Lexington Rescue Mission
- Mountain Comprehensive Care Center
- New Life Day Center
- New Vista Drop-In Center
- Nathaniel Mission
- Recovery Café Lexington
The city’s five community centers — Black and Williams, Castlewood, Charles Young, Dunbar, Kenwick, Tates Creek, and William Wells Brown — will be open through the early evening.
Morning city trash collection will begin an hour earlier than usual, at 4:30 a.m. Residents should put their garbage bins on the curb the night before their scheduled pick-up morning to make sure their trash is collected. Business trash collection will begin at 3:30 a.m. each morning this week.
