Stanislaus County gripped by excessive heat again, threatening those living on the streets

Triple-digit daily highs will continue in Modesto through Sunday, the National Weather Service forecasts. An excessive heat warning that went into effect Wednesday and was to end Friday night has been extended to 9 p.m. Saturday.

With the temperature expected to hit 110 degrees Thursday, Lynelle Solomon, a Modesto advocate for the homeless, said she would make her rounds to take water, skin lotion and other supplies to people who live outside.

“People are suffering unnecessarily,” Solomon said by email. “Unfortunately, Modesto doesn’t have adequate cooling stations or misters around town. Modesto should also have cars driving around passing out ice and water on days like these. Most of those on the streets are elderly, and this kind of heat is very dangerous for them.”

Stanislaus County had a temporary break from the heat wave Tuesday, as daytime temperatures dipped into the high 90s for the first time since July 1.

But what little relief it was is apparently over for a couple of days. The National Weather Service predicts the high Friday will be near 109, followed by 104 on Saturday and 100 Sunday. The seven-day forecast shows expected highs next week of 98 Monday and 96 Tuesday and Wednesday.

Overnight low temperatures aren’t expected to dip into the 60s until Sunday night.

Chris Alves parked his bike outside the Modesto Library on Wednesday afternoon as the heat became more stifling. Alves said he buys a bag of ice and drinks water from insulated containers to survive hot days on the street.

The library on I Street has served as a cooling zone during the heat wave. “I come here when I get a chance,” Alves said. “In some areas of town, there is no place to get cool.”

Inside the library, anyone seeking refuge from the heat blended with people engrossed in the typical activities of strolling the aisles, using the Internet and checking out materials.

The libraries in Ceres, Turlock, Riverbank, Salida, Newman and other communities also are designated as cooling zones.

As of Monday, 61 people had gone to hospital emergency departments with heat-illness symptoms since the heat wave began July 2. County officials said most of the hospital visits were people who worked or otherwise exerted themselves outdoors or drank alcohol. All of the patients were discharged.

Shelters like the Modesto Gospel Mission and Salvation Army Berberian Center have been using their day programs as cooling centers for unsheltered people during the hot weather.

Jim Stokes, director of the Berberian shelter, at Ninth and D streets, said an older adult walked up to the cooling center early this week, looking like he was close to passing out. “We gave him water and food and monitored him in case we needed to call 911,” Stokes said. “There is an unacceptable number of people walking around the streets who are not in a safe situation.”

Stokes said from 30 to 50 people were using the day center this summer and the numbers spiked to 80 to 85 per day with the intense heat this month. The center is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and until 8:30 p.m. Monday when it’s above 95 degrees. The Salvation Army shelter accepts donations of drinks and snacks for the cooling center.

The National Weather Service recommended reducing or eliminating strenuous activity until the coolest time of day. Residents were advised to wear light-fitting clothing, eat light, drink plenty of water and spend time in air-conditioned locations.

For those who are working outdoors, don’t forget to take breaks, slow down and avoid getting too much sun in the hot parts of the day, said a county Health Services Agency post.

The Stanislaus County Office of Emergency Services has a list of cooling zones in locations throughout the county. People taking public transit buses to cooling zones can ask to waive the fare.