Community members rally to provide cooling centers
As temperatures have soared this week, local organizations are working to provide places for residents to cool down.
Ned Brandenberger, manager of Sandpoint Property Management, said this year’s heat is the worst he’s seen in the area, particularly for June. He opened the Priest River Beardmore Building Suite 206 on the second floor as a cooling center.
Brandenberger said with the extreme heat, it’s harder for many people to cool their houses to an acceptable level, even with air conditioning. That is especially a risk for seniors.
“There’s a need for seniors to go [to a cooling center] if they don't have air conditioning,” he said. “There are certain temperatures where your cooling system can’t handle the temperature.
“When it reaches a certain temperature outside you just cannot cool the building to an acceptable level. We're right up against the limit of that.”
There’s also some risk of AC units breaking if the thermostat is turned below a certain level. When that happens, it can cause the condenser to freeze up, Brandenberger said.
“We have a half a dozen air conditioners that are on wheels which we can bring if the AC fails,” he said.
The cooling center is 86,000 square feet, he said, and will be open from [time] to [time] on [days] for those who need it.
Numerous other cooling centers are also opening in Bonner County, in addition to local libraries.
The Priest River Library recently opened its new addition, said West Bonner Libraries Director Katie Crill, and has plenty of space for visitors to stay cool, read and social distance. The library has definitely seen an increase in patronage as the weather heats up, she said.
“We’re a cooling center by nature,” she said. “We get an increase in summer when it gets hot.”
Other library locations, including Blanchard, Priest Lake and the Sandpoint Library will all be open throughout the week for people to come and cool off.
A number of churches are also opening their doors for those who wish to cool off.
Mich Lewis-Sorensen with Cedar Hills Church in Sandpoint said the church will be open Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. and next week Tuesday through Thursday afternoon. There will be an air conditioned room, and likely some snacks available, she said.
The church also had a member of its congregation, who asked to remain anonymous, donate three portable air conditioning units Wednesday. By the afternoon, they were all spoken for.
“I know I’ve gotten over 20 calls from different people,” she said.
That individual had the units leftover after a remodel in her home, and suggested anyone who may have extra units from something similar donate them.
“People who have put in air conditioning, if maybe they have a portable unit, they could donate that,” she said. “I even had the Agency on Aging in Coeur d'Alene call me. There is a desperate need.”
Kellie Risso, a local volunteer who helped organize several of the cooling centers, spent several hours making sure they were available on Monday.
After four to five hours on the phone, Risso said the centers were organized with the help of numerous community members and volunteers. Several area grocery stores including Super 1, Mitchell's Harvest Foods and Safeway donated several cases of water for cooling centers as well.
“Everyone’s just really receptive,” she said. “A big shout-out to Safeway, Super 1 and Mitchell’s.”
Cherie Coldwell, executive director for Sandpoint Area Seniors, said people 65 years and up are more susceptible to heat-related illness including heat stroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion due to factors such as medical issues, changes in the body’s response to heat and medications they may take. It’s important to check in on neighbors, she said, particularly those who are older.
For those who are unable to get to a cooling center, there are several tools to help stay safe and cool.
The CDC recommends taking cool baths and showers to cool down, and limiting outdoor activities and drinking water before one becomes thirsty. Cooking with stoves or ovens is discouraged, as it increases the temperature in the house.
Children and pets should never be left in cars, and lightweight, light-colored clothing is encouraged.
Pets are also susceptible to heat, and should be provided ample water and shade, and kept inside with air conditioning if possible.
Currently, many cooling centers are not able to accept non-service animals. However, people who need their animal taken care of can use the Better Together Animal Alliance’s Temporary Loving Care program for emergency short-term boarding, said Andrea Nagel, director of storytelling and partnership.
Dealing with heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Heat cramps are muscle pains and spasms that generally occur in the leg or abdomen, Coldwell said. They can be treated by providing an electrolyte-containing fluid such as a sports drink.
Heat exhaustion is more serious, and signs include cool, moist, pale ashen or flushed skin, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness and exhaustion. People suffering from heat exhaustion should be moved to a cooler location, clothing should be remove or loosened and cool, wet towels applied to the skin if necessary. If the person is conscious they can be given a small amount of fluid. If conditions do not improve, 911 should be called.
Heat stroke is life-threatening, and generally occurs when signs of heat exhaustion are ignored. Signs include high body temperature, red skin, changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; rapid, shallow breathing; confusion, vomiting, and seizures. If someone has heat stroke, 911 should be called immediately.
List of area cooling centers:
* Note: Hours for some cooling centers may change depending on temperatures and community needs
Blanchard Community Center
Open through Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 685 Rusho Lane
Blanchard Library
Open Wednesday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 412 Railroad Ave.
Cabinet Mountain Calvary Chapel
Open through Thursday from noon-5 p.m., 136 Calvary Way in Clark Fork. Any indoor pet is welcome.
Priest River Senior Center
Open through Friday from 1-6 p.m., 339 E. Jackson Ave.
Priest River Library
Open Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., 118 Main St.
Beardmore Building
Open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., 50 Main St., Suite 206, in Priest River
Priest Lake Library
Open Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 28769 Highway 57.
North Summit Church
Open Thursday from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 201 N. Division Ave. in Sandpoint. Service animals only.
Newport Library
Open Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 116 S. Washington Ave.
Newport Hospitality House
Open daily from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., 216 S. Washington Ave.
Cedar Hills Church
Open noon to 4 p.m., Today and Tuesday through Thursday next week.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Open noon to 8 p.m. through Friday at 331 Westmond Road in Cocollala.
East Bonner County Library District, Sandpoint
Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
East Bonner County Library District, Clark Fork
Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Annisa Keith contributed to this report.