CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -
The Charlotte region is bracing for another day of near record setting heat.
But, it will be the first day since Thursday that the temperature may stay below 100 degrees.
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a Heat Advisory and Air Quality Alert for Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lincoln, Iredell, Rowan, Cabarrus, Albemarle, Union, Anson, Lancaster, York and Chester counties.
The Heat Advisory remains in effect until 8 p.m. as temperatures are expected to top out in the upper 90s.
But the heat index will make it feel much hotter outside. The index is forecast to be between 102 and 105 degrees, according to the NWS.
The city of Charlotte opened a cooling center at noon in uptown.
Volunteers with the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army will be on hand to provide water, light snacks (no meals) and a cool place to stay. The cooling station is located at the Homeless Resource Center in the Hal Marshall Annex, 618 North College Street. Hours are noon through 8 p.m.
The Charlotte Fire Department and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management urge everyone to stay alert by being aware of the current weather conditions and warnings in effect; stay safe by exercising extreme caution when grilling outdoors, utilizing tiki torches and smoking outdoors; and stay alive by staying hydrated, limiting your exposure outdoors, and recognizing the signs and symptoms of heat-related medical emergencies.
The Levine Campus of Central Piedmont Community College is closed Monday due to a power outage. The power is expected to be restored on Tuesday.
Millions are still without power after Friday's strong storms and officials say it could be several days until electricity is restored in some areas. The Red Cross is operating shelters and supporting numerous cooling centers in West Virginia, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, as well as in and around Washington, D.C. More than 900 people spent Saturday night in Red Cross and community shelters due to the power outages.
If someone needs to find a Red Cross shelter they can go to www.redcross.org or access the free Red Cross phone app. Both are refreshed with updated information every 30 minutes. People can also watch local media reports to find out where shelters are located.
If a community is without power, people should check on those who are alone or more likely to be affected by the heat. They should also make sure animals have plenty of water and a shady place to rest. Many people are resorting to generator power. They should connect the equipment they want powered directly to the generator outlets, and never connect a generator to the home's electrical system.
- While the power is out, people should keep their refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible. If the refrigerator remains closed, it can keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer can hold its temperature for about two days if the door remains closed.
- People should turn appliances and electrical equipment off and unplug them, leaving one light on to know when the power is restored.
- Those affected should travel only if necessary. Traffic lights are out and roads will be congested.
If someone would like to help people affected by these disasters, they can make a donation today to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.columbiaregionredcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
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