Heat wave builds over Southeast Michigan. Here's what you need to know for Wednesday.
An extreme heat warning remains in effect on Wednesday for southeast Michigan, with dangerously high temperatures and heat index values of 105 to 110 expected to create hazardous conditions.
Because of the extreme conditions, the CBS Detroit weather team will continue NEXT Weather Alert day status through Friday. This means news coverage and forecasts will step up forecasts and announcements as needed.
Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can quickly lead to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, and spend time in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Other reminders include checking in on older adults, young children, and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to the heat.
Even the beach lifeguards at a Rochester Hills park were affected by the heat on Tuesday, city officials said, with beach hours to be limited on Wednesday and Thursday as a result of the circumstances.
Announcements from Southeast Michigan communities and agencies as the heat wave began, including recommendations from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, are in our Tuesday roundup.
Here's what you need to know for Wednesday:
Power outages
DTE says thousands of Metro Detroit residents lost power Tuesday night and early Wednesday, complicating efforts to cope with the heat wave.
Warren residents said going without electricity for hours made for a long and uncomfortable night.
Parked cars
Never leave a child, older adult, or pet unattended in a vehicle, even for a few minutes.
Temperatures inside a parked car can rise to deadly levels very quickly, even with the windows cracked open. Before locking your vehicle, always check the back seat to ensure everyone has safely exited. If you see someone trapped in a hot vehicle, call 911 immediately.
Taking these precautions can help prevent heat-related emergencies and keep everyone safe during this period of extreme heat.
Cooling centers
Dozens of cooling centers remain open across Southeast Michigan, to provide area residents with a place to get into air conditioning and out of the heat.
Cass Community Social Services on Rosa Parks Boulevard in Detroit said its drop-in shelter saw 295 visitors on Monday night, "many of them children." The center is designed to take in up to 195 people, and they set up overflow spaces to handle the additional cases. The shelter explained that they were seeing increased demand even before the heat wave officially began.
Pet care
The Detroit Animal Care and Control staff reminds pet owners that dogs and cats can experience heat-related medical emergencies. The symptoms would include bright red gums, vomiting, mobility weakness and heavy panting.
"If you recognize these symptoms in your pet, immediately contact your veterinarian, begin using cool room-temperature water, not ice-cold water, on places on their body that don't have fur like their stomach, inside of their legs and tips of their ears, while transporting them to a veterinarian immediately," the agency said.
"Even if your pet seems to recover after being cooled, heatstroke can cause internal damage to the brain, kidneys, liver, heart, and clotting system that may not be immediately apparent. Early veterinary intervention provides the best chance for a full recovery."
Those who wish to report pets in distress amid the heat can call 313-922-3647, available Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fans for Highland Park seniors
The Highland Park Community Crisis Coalition made arrangements to distribute free box fans on Wednesday to Highland Park senior citizens whose homes lack air conditioning.
Closings and cancellations
The City of Rochester Hills is limiting hours at the Spencer Park beach for Wednesday and Thursday. The beach will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, then closed from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The park does not have air conditioning in any of the buildings. Lifeguards are usually scheduled from Memorial Day through Labor Day at the park.
The City of Southfield closed some of its offices at noon on Wednesday in response to the weather conditions. The early closings affected City Hall, the Parks and Recreation Building and the Public Service Building.
The Detroit Police Department's weekly Walk a Mile Wednesday community event was canceled for this week. The schedule will resume July 8.
The Detroit Police 5th Precinct's monthly community meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, has been canceled.
City of Detroit executive order
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield signed an executive order on Wednesday directing city employees to take additional steps to assist city residents amid an extreme heat warning.
