HEAT ADVISORY, COOLING CENTERS AVAILABLE
Heat Advisory
Statement as of 11:56 AM EDT on July 23, 2010
…Heat advisory remains in effect until 7 PM CDT /8 PM EDT/ this evening…
….. Seek shelter in area Cooling Centers, if necessary…..
* Temps/heat index…heat index values will continue to increase
today with values around 105 degrees by the early afternoon.
* Impacts…increased risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke for
individuals working outdoors or engaged in strenuous
activities.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids…stay in an air-conditioned room…stay out of the sun…and check up on relatives and neighbors.
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COOLING CENTERS >
‘Cooling Centers’ are available today for local/area citizens needing relief from the extreme heat. The NWS has issued a Heat Advisory from mid-morning thru 7 pm. Temps will be in the 95 degree range with a heat index near 107. Isolated T-storms are likely.
The cooling centers will be at the First Assembly of God Church in Watseka, Trinity Church in Watseka, Community Center in Crescent City and the Zion Lutheran Church in Clifton, Department of Human Services on Walnut Street, Watseka. Any other churches, government buildings or civic groups that can provide a cool setting for those in need can contact Iroquois County ESDA (815-432-6997).
courtesy: NWS, www.iqesda.com
Iroquois Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement
Statement as of 3:50 PM CDT on July 21, 2010
…Funnel clouds possible this afternoon…
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will affect the area today…with the greatest concentration of these showers and thunderstorms expected south of a Fairbury to Milford in Iroquois County. The atmospheric conditions are favorable for the development of funnel clouds that normally protrude a few hundred feet downward from the parent cloud…rotate or spin like a top…and last a few minutes before dissipating.
The atmospheric conditions these funnels are developing in do not support strong…damaging tornadoes. However…on rare occasions these funnels can briefly touch the ground.
If threatening weather approaches…move indoors to a place of safety. The National Weather Service will continue to closely monitor the situation. Please forward reports of funnel sightings to the ESDA or nearest law enforcement agency for relay to the National Weather Service.
courtesy: NWS, www.iqesda.com
Advisory: Hot Weather Conditions
Special Weather Statement
Statement as of 9:00 AM CDT on July 14, 2010
…Hot and humid conditions today…
The combination of high temperatures in the low 90s and dew points in the low to mid 70s…will produce heat index readings around 100 today into early this evening. The highest heat index values are expected in north central Illinois this afternoon. Despite heat index values below advisory criteria…if outdoors you should avoid strenuous activity.
A cold front will approach from the northwest late tonight into Thursday. This front will slow across the area on Thursday which will result in hot and humid conditions again Thursday afternoon with peak afternoon heat index values of around 100 again…mainly south of Interstate 80.
courtesy: NWS, www.iqesda.com
OFF-DUTY KANKAKEE FIREFIGHTER DIES
A 37-year-old Kankakee firefighter died at his Bradley home Thursday. Kankakee Fire Chief Ron Young provided the bleak news. Lt. Frank Fouts had been a member of the department since July 1998.
Kankakee County Coroner Bob Gessner said an autopsy was scheduled. Gessner said Fouts was found in his backyard by a baby-sitter shortly after 1 p.m. An emotional Young called Fouts a “fine, outstanding young man. He was one of the best.”
ANOTHER FLOOD RESCUE; MILFORD MAN PLUCKED FROM SUGAR CREEK
MILFORD FIRE / AMBULANCE PERSONNEL RESPOND TO 2nd FLOOD RESCUE THIS WEEK…..
> A Milford man was being treated for signs of hypothermia Friday after being pulled from the flood waters of Sugar Creek. Steve Benner appeared OK, but several questions have surfaced as to why and how he wound up in about 10-feet of water off Iroquois County Highway 9, west of Milford.
Milford Fire Chief Frank Hines said Benner was found by friends around 9:30 Friday morning. Benner had not returned home Thursday night and friends were looking for him Friday morning for a golfing date. He was calling for help about 100-yards north of the Sugar Creek Bridge, according to Hines. Benner’s vehicle was found by friends parked along County Highway 1000 N (which is Highway 9). Hines said the vehicle was not in flood waters, but Benner himself was calling for help near the main channel of Sugar Creek. He was in about 8-10 feet of water, holding onto a log.
Hines said firemen and other rescue personnel used a boat and a six-wheeler to reach him. The fire chief said “he was showing signs of hypothermia, but he wasn’t in the water all too long.” Milford Ambulance personnel took Benner to Iroquois Memorial Hospital.
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> Milford and Stockland firemen, with help from a farmer, rescued a Stockland family of three from flood waters Tuesday night. In this case, Geoffrey Fisher drove his van into a flooded roadway. The vehicle floated off the road at County Road 900 N near 2590 E, coming to rest near a grove of trees several feet off the road. Fisher, his girlfriend and their 8-year-old daughter were rescued after climbing on to the top of the van, which was almost entirely submerged.
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courtesy: www.iqesda.com