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Groups offer advice, cooling stations to help Mid-Ohio Valley resident beat the heat

John, left, and Amy, right, who declined to give their last names, enjoy each other’s company at a cooling center at the Washington County Homeless Project’s Community Resource Center at 271 Front St. in Marietta. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

PARKERSBURG — It’s heating up in the Mid-Ohio Valley this week, and local officials have suggestions on how to keep cool.

According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, temperatures are expected to stay in the 90s for most of this week. A heat advisory has been issued throughout the area.

“The heat indexes, which is how it feels outside, will be in the high 90s or low 100s,” meteorologist Levi Cornett said. “The humidity will be around 60% for Monday and Tuesday, becoming a little less later in the week.”

Chris Dellinger, director of emergency, trauma and ICU services at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, said if someone needs to be outside, try to do so during certain times of day.

“If you’re outside during the early morning hours or late evening hours, the heat is less intense,” she said.

However, if one needs to work outside, they can lessen the impact in different ways, Dellinger said.

“”If you’re in the heat, wear light colors. Dark colors absorb the heat. Also wear loose fitting clothing,” she said.

Dellinger also recommends not remaining in a parked car for a long period of time, even with the air conditioner on.

Organizations on both sides of the river are offering places to get out of the heat. New Hope Baptist Church at 1777 Rosemar Road, Parkersburg, is offering their Ministry Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. all week.

“It’s a conference room we use. We did it last year with our sanctuary, and decided to do it again,” Andi Ervin, communications admin, said.

In Marietta, Washington County Homeless Project on Front Street is also offering their building for those who need a cool space.

“We’ve been swamped today,” site manager Kelly Hendershot said Monday afternoon. “We’ve had at least 35 people in here. We also provide shower and laundry services, and we’ve had a couple people take showers to cool off,” she said.

Hendershot said she anticipates more visitors will visit during the week. The Homeless Project provides water for visitors to stay hydrated.

Visitors John and Amy took advantage of the Homeless Project’s cooling station Monday afternoon. They both enjoyed a cold drink while chatting. They both agreed that it was hot outside and that they were using the cooling center to beat the heat.

“It’s pretty terrible out there,” Amy said about the heat Monday afternoon.

Michelle Dillon contributed to this report.

Kristen Hainkel can be reached at khainkel@newsandsentinel.com

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