Category: News || By Submitted Reports

An emergency cooling center has been opened today and tomorrow on Lysle Boulevard for residents having difficulty coping with the current heat wave.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service says that the continued hot, humid weather may cause increased levels of air pollution near U.S. Steel's Clairton Works, and that the air may become unhealthy for people suffering from heart disease and asthma or other lung conditions.

Allegheny County spokesman Kevin Evanto said the "cooling center" will be open at LifeSpan's Mon Valley facility at 624 Lysle Blvd. from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and tomorrow, and is among 11 such centers opened around the county to provide "refuge from the heat and humidity" for the elderly and people with health conditions who don't have air conditioning.

All county residents ages 60 and older are also welcome to visit senior centers during regular hours of operation to socialize and enjoy activities while taking refuge from the heat, Evanto said.

In the Mon-Yough area, those centers are located at 3000 Locust St., Braddock Hills; 530 Miller St., Clairton; 5739 Smithfield St., Elizabeth Township; 5344 Second Ave., Hazelwood; 308 E. 8th Ave., Homestead; 4231 Shady Ave., Munhall; 519 Penn Ave., Turtle Creek; and Century III Mall, Level 3, West Mifflin. A complete list is available on the county's website. Hours of operation vary.

The county Area Agency on Aging is also encouraging residents to check on elderly neighbors, friends or relatives.

Extra operators will be staffing county emergency hotlines in case of medical or other heat-related problems, Allegheny County Executive RIch Fitzgerald said.

The Department of Emergency Services has added additional staff at the Allegheny County 9-1-1 center today and tomorrow in anticipation of increased call volumes. Call-takers will triage those calling with heat-related issues, ask additional questions of callers, ascertain the severity of the situation, and provide first responders with additional information on callers' symptoms and problems.

. . .

The "air quality alert" issued for the Clairton, Glassport and Liberty Borough areas means that the elderly or those with heart and lung conditions should avoid strenuous outdoor activities, an NWS spokesman said.

NWS forecasters say Thursday will remain sunny and hot, with a high near 89. Thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday are expected to bring some relief, with highs Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the low 80s, and a high Monday of 78.

Allegheny County will continue to monitor the weather over the next two days and will issue public advisories as necessary, Evanto said.

(Image courtesy of weatherclipart.net)

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