CLEVELAND — News 5 meteorologists have been warning everyone about today's heat, and it has arrived. We may reach temperatures not seen in years, decades or ever.
The heat is already having an impact.
Cleveland Orchestra cancels event
The Cleveland Orchestra announced it is canceling a free concert scheduled for Wednesday at Cain Park. The concert will now take place at 8 p.m. on Sept. 2.
Forecast
A major heat dome begins to build over the Ohio Valley this week. Temps surged to near 90 degrees on Monday and into the middle 90s on Tuesday. Humidity is also much more noticeable alongside the heat.
High heat + high humidity = dangerous heat.
It will feel like triple digits for at least three straight days, something Northeast Ohio does not see often in any given summer.
Records
If Cleveland reaches 95 degrees, it will tie a June 30, 1941, record.
Cooling centers
Cities around Northeast Ohio have opened cooling centers to help anyone dealing with the heat.
In Akron, the Summit Lake Community Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. All other community centers will remain open during their normal business hours.
The following locations will be open in Cleveland to cool down:
- Zelma George NRCC: 3155 Martin L. King Blvd.
- Collinwood NRCC: 16300 Lakeshore Blvd.
- Gunning NRCC: 16700 Puritas Ave.
- Kovacic NRCC: 6250 St. Clair Ave.
- Frederick Douglass NRCC: 15401 Miles Ave.
- Crossroads Men's Crisis Center: 5310 Carnegie Ave.
In Rocky River, the Civic Center lobby will be open to allow people to cool down.
Viewers find ways to keep cool
Viewers tell News 5 they'll be leaning on air conditioning and the pool to keep cool this week.
Local Hardware Stores Prepared For Heat
Gerry Burger's Ace Hardware is prepped and ready to go, restocking items twice a week, including cooling devices.
"We're always looking at the inventory on hand at the warehouse, and if we see some rapid movement, we're going in and stock reserving some so we don't disappoint our customers when they come in to purchase one. So far, knock on wood, Ace has been in really good shape, but of course, this heat wave has been widespread, so it probably won't be long before the fans are going to be in short supply," Burger said.
Burger, who is the co-owner of the Ace Hardware store, said the store has already gone through more than 50% of its fan inventory this year.
"We've got fans that start out with an oscillating fan. We also have some personal fans here, too, that they can direct right on themselves. If it's a larger area they're trying to do, then maybe one of these pedestal fans that can rotate and really move some air for them. In addition to that, we've got a number of breezebox fans. From the fan department, we think we got things pretty well covered and then we have air conditioners, window air conditioners that have been extremely popular too," Burger said.
Fans and air conditioners are not returnable, or in other words, are considered final sale for Burger's Ace Hardware.
Burger said the store has this policy to prevent customers from buying one of those items, then returning it a few days later once the temperatures settle.
Fans or air conditioners can be exchanged, provided the product/box is not damaged and the exchange fits the guidelines of the store's return policy.
Customers must have their receipt and exchange the item within 30 days of purchase.
Burger understands how brutal the heat wave is getting, so even if you don't buy, he said, people are welcome to take advantage of his store's AC.
"I pity the poor people who are at home who have no air conditioning or fans to keep themselves cool. It's almost unbearable to get into your car and sit there for 10 minutes waiting for the air conditioner to head on home. It can be pretty miserable. If people are too hot and they want to come in and just do a little browsing and take advantage of our air conditioning, they're more than welcome," Burger said.
Impacts to Roads
In North Royalton, the city said the rising heat made West Sprague Road, just west of Hoertz Road, buckle on Monday.
"Of course, it happened right around rush hour. People are coming home. People are getting ready to go out for the night," North Royalton Mayor Paul Marnecheck said. "It looked like two panels. They just kind of raised up and formed a little bit of a ramp."
Marnecheck said with the support of the city's service director and Parma's service director, emergency crews were able to mobilize within 20 minutes to begin repairs.
"We were able to coordinate and keep Sprague Road open. It's a main artery for this area. We kept it open while we did these repairs. Later on this week, we're going to do some more permanent repairs, but we were able to keep the road open while we deal with this latest curveball from Mother Nature," Marnecheck said.
To be prepared for the potential of more of this happening, he said the city is in full repair supply and has maintenance teams on standby.
Marnecheck encouraged residents to keep refreshing the city's social media pages for the latest updates on cooling resources and heat-related topics.
Keep your pets safe
If your pet is outside, make sure they have plenty of water and shade.
Before walking your dog, place the palm of your hand on the pavement for several seconds. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your pet's paws.
Try to walk your dog either earlier in the day or later at night.
Don't leave your animal unattended in a car - temperatures could reach deadly levels within minutes.
