NO RELIEF IN SIGHT FROM HEAT, HUMIDITY

"It's some kind of hot out here. I'll be glad when this is over."

Cape Girardeau contractor John Green is not alone in wanting to see an end to the high temperatures that have dominated the region for the past week.

However, he'll have to wait a while longer for any relief.

It looks like the pattern isn't going to change for the next week or so, said a spokesman for the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky. "In layman's terms, it's going to stay hot, humid and just like it has been for the past week."

The spokesman said the above-normal temperatures are caused by a high pressure system over the southeastern United States that is "sort of anchored there."

Temperatures have hovered around the 100-degree mark all week, with an average daily heat index of between 105 and 115 degrees. The heat index is the combination of temperature and humidity that describes how hot it actually feels.

The temperatures are expected to remain high throughout the next week, with a slight chance of thunderstorms possible each afternoon.

Don't expect any relief there, though. Any thunderstorms in the region will be brief and followed by an immediate return of high humidity afterwards.

Despite the temperatures, hospital emergency rooms in Cape Girardeau have seen few cases of heat exhaustion or heat stroke in the past week.

However, Merla Brooks, house supervisor at Saint Francis Medical Center, said there has been a slight increase in emergency room patients complaining of heat-related illness.

Said Brooks: "It really hasn't been heat stroke or exhaustion. They've just come in hot and dehydrated, so we'd give them some fluids and then they're able to go back home. All the ones we've had have been related to people that were working when they developed the problems."

Hot, dry conditions this summer also have caused Cape Girardeau city officials to dip into the city's water reserves. Water system manager Kevin Priester said residents have responded well to a request made Friday to reduce their water usage.

Even so, a water tower check Saturday revealed Cape Girardeau water consumers were still using some 7 million gallons of water daily. The average summer consumption is normally between 6 and 6.5 million gallons daily, said Priester.

"Water use is still high, but people are watering a little less, and we can tell that," he said. "We know it's an inconvenience, but we've had good cooperation."

Priester said if the city's water reserves were to reach critical levels, mandatory restrictions would be enforced.

There was no preset critical level, and Priester said he doubted mandatory restrictions would be necessary.

"If it were to get real bad we'd have to do something," he said. "As long as people continue to cooperate as well as they have been, I don't think we'll get to that point."

Ron MacCubbin, director of emergency services with the American Red Cross, said two shelters were opened last week for residents in Cape Girardeau and Jackson. Usage was minimal last week, said MacCubbin.

"Most people have been going to the malls or somewhere where there's something to do," he said. "We'd rather have (shelters) open and nobody use them than not have them and have people need somewhere to go."

Cape Girardeau residents may visit the Osage Community Centre from 12-5 p.m. each day. City officials have waved usage fees for those using the shelter.

Jackson residents needing relief from the heat may go to the New McKendree United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 225 N. Main, from 12-5 p.m. daily.

Elderly or special needs residents needing transportation to either shelter should contact the Cape County Public Health Center, (573) 335-7846.

For more information about the shelters, the American Red Cross also can be contacted 24 hours a day at (573) 339-1822.

To avoid heat-related illnesses, residents should stay indoors in air-conditioned rooms whenever possible. People who must work outside should wear loose, light-colored clothing; take frequent breaks; and drink plenty of fluids.

Symptoms like light-headedness, a faint feeling and profuse sweating could indicate heat exhaustion. When these symptoms occur, rest in a cool, shaded area, drink water or other fluids, and apply a cool compress on the forehead or under the arms.

Signs of heat stroke, a more serious illness, include a lack of sweating; hot, dry, flush skin; deep, rapid breathing; headache or nausea; dizziness; loss of consciousness; and/or convulsions. Death can also result from a heat stroke, so medical attention should be sought right away.