Children played in the heat Thursday at Forest Hills Park in Durham. The park has a "spray ground" to help visitors beat the heat. {Photo: Greg Childress)
It was a scorcher Thursday in the Triangle, but not as hot as it had been the previous two days when temperatures soared near the 100-degree mark.
Still, with temperatures in the mid-90s, it was plenty hot enough for Durham resident Geneva Cearnel, her two-year old daughter and a nine-year old niece, to visit the “spray-ground” at Forest Hills Park.
Geneva Cearnel waits for children to slide at Durham’s Forest Hill Park. (Photo: Greg Childress)“It can be blistering out here, but as long as you bring something to keep hydrated, and keep the children hydrated, it’s OK,” said Cearnel.
The trio had been at the play area for about two hours when approached for this story. Cearnel pointed to a gallon-sized bottle of water and remarked that it had been a “block of ice” when they arrived.
“A lot of people come out here to beat the heat,” Cearnel said. “Two days ago, there were some grandparents out here with their grandchildren because their AC went out and they came to the splash pad because it’s free.”
On Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for most of Central North Carolina until 7 p.m. That was a downgrade from the Extreme Heat Warning in effect on Wednesday, when temperatures were several degrees warmer.
Wake County announced that temporary cooling stations across the county would remain open through at least June 30 as a response to the heat wave.
“During prolonged periods of extreme heat, it’s important for everyone to remain cautious and continue taking the proper steps to stay cool,” said Josh Creighton, deputy director of Wake County Fire Services and Emergency Management. “If at all possible, avoid strenuous activity outside during the hottest part of the day. Take breaks in the shade, or preferably in an air-conditioned space, and drink plenty of water.”
In Winston-Salem, housing activists gathered this week to demand the City of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County enact “immediate plans” to protect the county’s “elderly, children, unhoused and others without access to air conditioning from heat deaths.”
Housing Justice Now said the county’s response to the heat advisories had been “sorely lacking.”
“The only official response to the heat advisory from Forsyth County is a Facebook post stating: “be careful with the extreme heat expected this week!” Housing Justice Now said in a press release it shared earlier this week. “With conditions demanding more than a one-liner on social media, Housing Justice Now and community advocates urge public officials to do better.”
The group demands included extending the county’s public library hours and using vacant buildings such as the old courthouse and Kaledium North (a downtown museum that targets children and families) as cooling stations.
Back in Wake County, Vielka Gabriel, the season and volunteer supervisor, who oversees “Cool for Wake,” the county’s heat relief program that provides window air conditioners and fans to people who can’t afford them, said soaring temperatures this week sent demand into overdrive.
Vielka Gabriel (far right) and the “Cool for Wake” team pose with fans in Raleigh. (Photo: Cool for Wake)“We have lots of individuals that are seniors who have broken HVAC systems and can’t afford to get their systems fixed,” Gabriel said. “We’re also partnering with our public health department, which has been referring individuals with chronic illnesses, newborn babies that are coming out of NICUs (Neonatal Intensive Care Units).”
On Wednesday, Gabriel said “Cool for Wake” ordered eight air conditioners for senior citizens and donated six used ones to families who needed them.
“We’ve just restocked our regional centers with fans,” she said. “Yesterday alone, I’ve ordered about 150 fans.”
The fans are sent to regional centers, so residents don’t have to travel to Raleigh to get them. “Cool for Wake” also arranges deliveries of air conditioners to residents with chronic illnesses, she said.
“We’re utilizing a partnership with the Raleigh Regional Association Realtors Giving Network,” Gabriel said. “They took six requests on Tuesday, and delivered four and are delivering the other two today [Wednesday].”
Gabriel noted that residents who receive air conditioning units must arrange to have them installed.
Residents are grateful to receive fans, Gabriel said, but acknowledged that in the extreme heat the region is experiencing, a traditional box fan does little more than circulate hot air.
“This year, I’ve made a major push into getting more air conditioning units into homes,” Gabriel said. “It has been a challenge because of the cost. We have an amazing community, however, that has stepped up to the call and has been helping to get gently used units into homes.”
The Central America native has been looking into acquiring cooling units that are popular there. The units use water and ice to cool rooms, Gabriel said.
“We’re just trying to find ways that are truly effective in keeping a person cool.
In the meantime, Gabriel said residents should close curtains, lock doors and run AC units strategically to conserve energy.
This year, Gabriel said, “Cool for Wake” has worked with the Wake County Housing team to connect with the county’s westernization program to help seniors and others with to provide adequate cooling systems.
“Part of my ask would be for businesses and folks to help us get to the root cause [of why a resident doesn’t have an adequate cooling system],” Gabriel said. “If the HVAC system is the need, is there a way get donations or have [HVAC] companies come in and check units?”
Continued monetary donations are also critical, Gabriel said. And air conditioning units are no longer a luxury as summer temperatures continue to rise.
“We can get box fans rather cheaply, but if four people or five people got together and donated $25 each, it would help us be able to purchase more air conditioning units,” Gabriel said. “We really need to see the need for air conditioning units in the community.”
Financial donations can be made online at the Cool for Wake website. Check contributions can be mailed to: Cool for Wake, Wake County Health & Human Services, 4401 Bland Road (MD 110), Raleigh, NC 27609
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