Agencies, governments, utilities react to area heat wave

Fort Smith officials, food relief agencies and utilities are just a few of the organizations scrambling to react to a heat wave that has seen the Fort Smith area suffer through 29 consecutive days of temps above 100 degrees.

As of 3 p.m., Tuesday (Aug. 2), the temperature in Fort Smith was 109 degrees and expected to reach a high of 111. Poteau and Van Buren temps were also at 109 degrees, according to the weather page at KFSM 5 News.

“The high of 111 reached Monday, August 1 was appreciably more physically taxing than the 106 to 108 degree highs so far this summer, and even higher temperatures are forecast for today and later this week, with overnight lows remaining unusually high,” noted a statement from the city of Fort Smith.

The statement accompanied a two-page PDF providing info on areas where citizens may go to stay cool and how to avoid heat-related medical emergencies. (Link here for the PDF.)

The city statement also said the Sebastian County Emergency Management office is working to support “firefighters and emergency responders battling blazes in these extreme conditions.”

According to the city’s PDF, the following tips help avoid heat-related illness.
• Avoid vigorous physical activities in hot and humid weather when possible.
• Drink plenty of fluids like water or specialty drinks that replace electrolytes.
• Avoid alcohol, coffee, tea or soft drinks containing caffeine.
• Take frequent breaks to hydrate yourself.
• Wear hats, and light-colored, loose clothing

UTILITY ACTION
Electricity demand in the Southwest Power Pool area, which covers all or parts of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas peaked at 54,534 megawatts on Monday, breaking the previous record of 53,146 MW set in August 2010, according to this report from Reuters.

Officials with Oklahoma City-based OG&E have said they are not disconnecting residential service during the heat wave.

“We recognize that some of our customers will need more time to pay their electric bill, and we want to be as flexible as we can during the next few months,” OG&E spokesman Brian Alford in a statement. “We will offer residential customers who have fallen behind on their bill up to six months to catch up.”

Oklahoma Corporation Commission rules prevent utilities from disconnecting service during times of extreme heat. Alford said the company decided to restrict its actions even more than required by law.

“We’re taking this added step to help put our customers’ minds at ease during this difficult time. … Like everyone, we’re hoping the heat will loosen its grip to give our great employees and equipment some time to recover from the stress and strain this summer has placed on them,” Alford said.

FOOD BANK ACTION
The River Valley Regional Food Bank sent emergency heat relief out to 20 member agencies as soaring temperatures remain in the forecast, according to Ken Kupchick, director of marketing and development for the food bank.

With so many lower income families facing higher utility bills and coping with higher than expected gasoline prices, getting emergency heat relief supplies out to member agencies became a food bank priority. Clarence Smith Jr., the food bank’s agency relations director, recognized that the mixed beverages in the food bank’s inventory needed to immediately get out into the region given the week’s forecast. He called for an Emergency Heat Relief Initiative that summoned 20 pantries and shelters into the food bank on Tuesday, Kupchick said.

“Roughly 34,000 servings of various juices, Gatorade and Kool-Aid Jammers, soda and bottled water were shipped out today to help people get through the week. About 50% of the pantries and shelters are in Sebastian county with the other agencies located in Crawford and Franklin counties,” Kupchick noted in a statement.
 
Brian Myers, Food Service Director, braved the intense heat to shuttle more 2,000 pounds of drinks back to the Children’s Emergency Shelter.

"We’ve been at housing capacity all summer long and in the summer we use quadruple the amount of water and Kool-Aid,” Myers said. "What else can I say, the kids like to drink stuff and we got a good mix of Kool-Aid, soda and water from the food bank."

John Pouk, a food bank volunteer, suffered with the 105-degree temperature inside the food bank warehouse to ready pallets of beverages.

"I just try to keep my mind on my work,” Pouk said when asked how he deals with the heat.

According to Kupchick, the food bank supports 15 qualified U.S. Department of Agriculture commodity distributors in six area counties that distribute federal food assistance to about 6,400 people and serves an added 2,150 meals each month. Local Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) commodities amount to about 1,200 cases of staples like canned corn, beans, pasta and grains.

“If valued at $1/can or package, that federal support equates to roughly $286,000 in yearly assistance to elderly, unemployable, SNAP recipients, foster families and people living below 130% of the federal poverty standards,” Kupchick explained. “TEFAP remains threatened by budget cuts under the proposed Phase II deficit reduction plan passed by the House yesterday.”

The food bank effort is likely to be required for several more days. KFSM 5 News Chief Meteorologist Garrett Lewis, the heat wave is expected to continue into mid-August. Lewis provided the following info about the weather. All numbers are as of July 29.
• Total 100º+ Days in Fort Smith: 33 Days
• Non-Stop 100º+ Days in Fort Smith: 25 Days
• Total 100º+ Days in Fayetteville: 9 Days
• Highs Averaged this month in Fort Smith: 104.1º
• Highs averaged this month in Fayetteville: 97.5º

“Unfortunately, there’s nothing to break the pattern in the next 7-10 days. Hang in there,” Lewis noted on his blog.