COLUMBUS, Ind. – To help fight the heat, Bartholomew County Emergency Management and the City of Columbus have announced that three Cooling Stations will be open until the end of the day Thursday, two in Columbus and one in Hope.
Donner Center will open its doors from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for those without air conditioning and who need a break from the heatwave. Crates will be available from Columbus Animal Care for anyone who has animals. Animals will not be allowed to run free in the building unless they are a service animal.
The main branch of the Bartholomew County Public Library in downtown Columbus is available from 9 a.m. to 6 p,m. and the Hope Branch is open as a Cooling Station from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday
The National Weather Service says an extended period of hot and humid conditions is expected across central and southern Indiana through Thursday. Daily high temperatures in the low-to-mid-90s with heat indices approaching 100 during the afternoon may be hazardous for vulnerable and sensitive populations. Take precautions if spending time outside during the day’s peak heating hours.
According to FEMA, there are several ways to keep cool this summer. They include drinking lots of water, finding air conditioning, wearing sunscreen, and avoiding strenuous activities.