As dangerous heat wave descends, how will Stanislaus County help vulnerable residents?

Ken Carlson
·6 min read

A dangerous heat wave is descending on the Northern San Joaquin Valley, prompting local agencies to initiate monitoring to protect the public and provide relief for vulnerable residents.

The Stanislaus County Office of Emergency Services said an excessive heat warning will be in effect from 11 a.m. Tuesday through 8 p.m. Saturday. Daily high temperatures could range from 105 degrees to upward of 115 in portions of the Central Valley, with overnight temperatures providing little relief.

The National Weather Service has a forecast of 109 degrees Wednesday and 107 for Independence Day. The high could reach near 110 on Saturday and forecasters expect the heat wave will be sticking around Sunday (109 degrees) and next Monday (107).

Stanislaus OES said it will monitor the daily forecasts and follow guidelines in a county contingency plan for dealing with extreme heat.

The county’s Emergency Medical Services Agency is staying in contact with nursing homes and other care facilities to make sure contingency plans are followed, county spokeswoman Carissa Lucas said. County OES and public health officials are monitoring hospital emergency department visits for heat illness.

People can find relief from the intense heat at libraries and air-conditioned places including Vintage Faire Mall. The county Office of Emergency Services said more than 20 cooling zones are open this week in Modesto, other cities and unincorporated communities.

Because many of the designated facilities are closed holidays, county and Modesto officials discussed special arrangements to make cooling centers available on Fourth of July. The Modesto Senior Center, at 211 Bodem St., and Maddux Youth Center, 615 Sierra Drive, will serve as cooling centers Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Salvation Army Berberian Shelter in Modesto has a day center serving as a cooling zone for the homeless. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and stays open till 8:30 p.m. Mondays when it’s above 95 degrees.

County health officials said extreme heat poses risks for vulnerable groups, such as older adults, young children and people with health problems including heart and respiratory diseases, diabetes and mental illness.

Those individuals may have more difficulty regulating body temperature and could be less aware of temperature changes in their environment. Certain prescription drugs like diuretics and antipsychotic medications may interfere with regulation of body temperature and fluid balance.

People are advised to stay hydrated this week by drinking plenty of water. But residents also should know that not all liquid consumption is healthy during extreme heat. Alcoholic beverages and drinks loaded with sugar can contribute to dehydration when temperatures are hot, raising the risk of heat-related illness and heat stroke.

The National Weather Service is expecting a toasty 107 degrees in Modesto for Fourth of July. Health officials recommended that people who are not used to extreme heat avoid outdoor activities. Fortunately, the city’s Independence Day parade is at 9:30 a.m., beating the day’s high temperatures.

County public health offered additional advice for staying safe during the heat wave: Check on older folks you know and those with chronic health conditions. Share resources like water and cool areas and avoid outdoor activities when it’s especially hot. That’s going to be a challenge for those attending the Stanislaus County Fair, which starts Friday.

If you are vulnerable to excessive heat, ask your doctor about medications and replacing depleted salts and minerals due to sweating.

Residents should drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, take precautions such as wearing lightweight and loose-fitting clothing and engage in strenuous activity only in the early morning or evening. Don’t forget to check on pets and be sure not to leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, because a car interior can reach lethal temperatures within minutes.

The holiday is expected to lure people to reservoirs and other waterways. Wearing lifejackets is highly recommended. Anyone with signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke should be moved to a cool, shaded area.

Symptoms including a throbbing headache, nausea, dizziness, 103 body temperature, fainting and loss of consciousness are considered a medical emergency. Call 911 or take the person to a hospital.

The cooling zones in Stanislaus County include:

Modesto

  • Modesto Library, 1500 I St., Tuesday to Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday, noon to 8 p.m.

  • Modesto Senior Center, 211 Bodem St., Tuesday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., Thursday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday and Monday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. A free membership waiver is required to enter the facility.

  • Stanislaus Regional Transit Center, 1001 Ninth St., Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

  • Modesto Airport lobby, 617 Airport Way, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

  • Maddux Youth Center, 615 Sierra Drive, Tuesday, noon-7 p.m., Thursday, 1-5 p.m.; Monday and Friday, 2-7 p.m.; Saturday, 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Turlock

  • Turlock Transit Center, 1418 N. Golden State Blvd., Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. During excessive heat warnings, regular fares are waived upon passenger request.

  • Turlock Library, 550 Minaret Ave., Monday-Tuesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday, noon-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Ceres

  • Ceres Community Center, 2701 Fourth St., Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

  • Ceres Library, 2250 Magnolia St., Tuesday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Monday, noon-8 p.m.

Riverbank

  • Riverbank Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe St. For seniors only. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-noon.

  • Riverbank Library, 3442 Santa Fe St., Monday-Tuesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday, noon-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

  • Riverbank Community Pool, 6601 Seventh St.; Monday-Friday, 1-3:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $3 per person.

Patterson

  • Patterson City Hall lobby, 1 Plaza Circle, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

  • Patterson Library, 46 N. Salado Ave., Monday-Tuesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday, noon-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Other communities

Oakdale: Oakdale Library, 151 S. First Ave., Monday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday, noon-8 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Hughson: Senior Center, 2307 Fourth St., Monday, Wednesday Friday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Salida: Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road, Monday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday, noon-8 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Denair: Denair Library, 4801 Kersey Road, Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Empire: Empire Library, 98 I St., Tuesday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

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