The National Weather Service has issued a heat warning for Central Kentucky through Thursday.
It’s forecasting a heat index, which combines air temperature and humidity, above 100 degrees throughout the region.
In Lexington, the NWS forecasts maximum heat indexes of 105 degrees Tuesday and Thursday. Frankfort’s local heat index could reach 111 degrees Thursday.
Lexington has activated its heat plan in response. The city has opened cooling stations and is providing free rides through LexTran for anyone unhoused.
Those stations are located at Arbor Youth Services, Lexington Rescue Mission, Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, New Life Day Center, New Vista Drop-In Center, Nathaniel Mission and Recovery Café Lexington. Community centers in the Dunbar, Kenwick and Castlewood neighborhoods will stay open in the evening.
Lexington Parks and Recreation is offering discounts on pool admission, and outreach teams are handing out supplies. Waste collection is also beginning an hour earlier, with residential pickup beginning at 4:30 a.m. and commercial at 3:30 a.m.
In the meantime, Lexington Emergency Management recommends residents stay inside as much as possible.
“If you're working outside, you want to take frequent breaks in the shade and stay hydrated, and remember to start drinking like those hydrating fluids, water, and like electrolyte drinks before you start feeling thirsty, because you're going to be losing a lot more water through sweat than you realize,” public information officer Emily Fay said.
Temperatures in the high 80s and low 90s are expected through Fourth of July weekend. Lexington’s heat index is forecasted to reach 102 degrees on Friday.
Fay said to continuously hydrate and stay away from too much alcohol and sugar while celebrating.
“You want to wear sunscreen to avoid that really bad sunburn. Wear loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing, help your body regulate that heat,” she said. “And then, of course, keep an eye out for yourself and your loved ones, or people you're with for those signs of heat illness. So heat stroke, heat exhaustion.”
Symptoms of heat-related illnesses include confusion and altered mental state, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, hot and dry skin, profuse sweating, seizures and very high body temperature, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They could prove fatal if treatment is delayed.
The Division of Emergency Management says the young, elderly and those with medical conditions are most at risk for heat-related illnesses. It’s recommending residents be careful when going outside, and to keep pets inside, hydrated and cool.
