The Knox County Health Department and the county’s Emergency Management Agency are monitoring conditions to see if formal cooling centers need to be opened over the next few days.
Temps are forecast to be in the upper 90s starting today and running through Thursday.
Knox County EMA Coordinator Randy Hovind says “the regular (cooling) places” will be available but it’s not likely they will open a formal cooling center unless there is a “significant power outage or other events.”
A list of informal places for temporary relief includes the Public Safety Building, the YMCA on Carl Sandburg Drive, and at both Oneida and Wataga Fire Stations.
If more cooling centers are open the list will be updated on the City of Galesburg’s website.
Emergency coordinators advise that at-risk populations include the elderly and the very young who are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses.
Additionally, pets should have plenty of water and shade to get out of the hot sun.
Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended, so proceed in the heat with caution.
Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating, and headaches.
