Friday, July 30, 1999
Help gives agencies warm feeling
Citizens respond with donations, checks on elderly
BY TANYA BRICKING
The Cincinnati Enquirer
At social centers across the Tristate on Thursday, hundreds of people seeking help in the unrelenting heat found an outpouring of donations and volunteer support.
Because there's only so much service agencies can do, Hamilton County Coroner Dr. Carl L. Parrott Jr. and Cincinnati Health Commissioner Dr. Malcolm Adcock pleaded Thursday for residents to look out for their neighbors.
Most of the deaths have been of elderly residents in private residences, Dr. Adcock said. Neighbors, family and friends need to help protect them, he said, and that appears to be happening.
“We are hearing around town that there are people looking in on those folks who might need their help,” Dr. Adcock said.
“We hope — in the best of all possible worlds — that there will be no additional deaths,” Dr. Parrott said. “We'll just have to wait and see if we've (successfully) gotten the word out.”
At the Franciscan at St. John social service center in Over-the-Rhine, the heat wave prompted $8,000 in donations in two days and a contribution of 45 fans from the Trane Co., a heating and air-conditioning company in Evendale.
“The community really is taking a step forward and helping us out,” Franciscan spokeswoman Tara Robinson said.
Heat has been blamed for at least 71 deaths across the nation since July 19, including 10 in Hamilton County alone.
Missouri has been hardest hit, with 27 heat-related deaths, followed by 19 in Illinois.
In Kentucky, temperatures reached 100 or above Thursday in Louisville and four other cities. A 75-year-old man was found dead of heat stroke in Hopkinsville, where the high was 100 degrees.
Greater Cincinnati temperatures are expected to reach 96 today and Saturday. The high for Sunday is expected to be 92. A smog alert continues through Saturday. A high of 88 is expected for Monday and Tuesday, according to AccuWeather Inc.
Cinergy said Thursday it will again ask customers to voluntarily conserve electricity starting today because it expects record demand.
High temperatures and dry weather continued to hammer at areas throughout the Tristate.
Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton asked federal farm officials for disaster declarations for 27 counties — including Grant in Northern Kentucky — because of crop damage. On July 23, he made the same request for seven other counties.
In Ohio, Gov. Bob Taft invited Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman to tour drought-stricken areas. Earlier, he had asked the U.S. Agriculture Department's Farm Service Agency in Ohio to begin gathering damage assessments in 39 counties in anticipation of federal disaster aid.
In Greater Cincinnati, help continued to focus on the human toll.
“The number of deaths is what's really striking,” said Mary Lehman of Amberley Village. She was one of seven people who called Hamilton County Senior Services on Thursday to volunteer to help check on elderly residents. She was put to work making phone calls to some of the agency's 1,500 low-income clients.
“I have elderly parents myself,” she said. “I understand how hard it is for them to reach out for help.”
Cincinnati is keeping 28 cool centers open and free bus rides are available. Northern Kentucky has 10 community centers and health agencies open as cool centers. Taylor Mill declared a heat emergency and set up a 24-hour cool center at the fire department at 5225 Taylor Mill Road.
“As much as we do to try to publicize what's available, nothing works as well as one-on-one reaching out to people and talking to people,” said Gina Ruffin Moore, spokeswoman for Cincinnati City Manager John Shirey. “People don't realize that heat can be just as deadly as cold weather.”
“It's not just seniors and shut-ins; it's the mental health community,” said Brigid McLinden-Swartz, spokeswoman for Catholic Social Services of Southwestern Ohio. “Don't assume anyone's all right. If you've got a minute, look in on a neighbor or family.”
Franciscan at St. John is helping up to 40 people a day with heat relief, Ms. Robinson said. The agency accepts used fans and needs money for new fans and air conditioners. It has distributed 400 fans and 50 air conditioners this month.
At the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency in Walnut Hills, assistance for fans and air conditioners came earlier this week, thanks to $300,000 in federal aid.
Health officials worry that many people on fixed incomes are not using their air condi tioners because they fear high bills. The cost of running an average-sized room air conditioner is about 10.4 cents an hour.
Community Action Agency workers have been overwhelmed with requests for help since the heat wave began. The elderly and people who have a medical need and a note from their doctor are first on the list for assistance from the agency.
“We've given away 100 air conditioners. We need 400,” said Herbert Walker, manager of the agency's economic development office and a supervisor of the cooling program. “We have 25 coming in (today) from California. There's not one left in town.”
Mark Curnutte, Phillip Pina and William A. Weathers contributed to this report.
Many cool centers empty
Electric fans aren't much help
Businesses boom, bust in heat
Where to get help from the heat
Tips for staying cool
How to conserve energy
Public pools
Help gives agencies warm feeling
Summer's R-rated films tempt teens
Surgeons pull out of Anthem Blue Cross
Be prepared for school violence, sheriff warns
Butler eager to put jail inmates in tent
Evening, weekend parking rates fall
Former Ky. official to face theft charge
New site gives parents Web filtering information
Pet killed by mistake at shelter
Rape attempt has suburbs on alert
Cincinnatian added to series' cast
GET TO IT
Inland sailors find relaxation, success on Cowan Lake
'Push for Pencils' starts Sunday for school kids
She likes Florence but loves New York
Arson suspected in 2 Hamilton office fires
Ashland to give $2.5M to Kentucky universities
Bids on bears to brighten shelter for area homeless
City's growth draws candidates
Commissioners firm on airport
Fairfield happy with scores on advanced exams
Federal judge rebuffs nude club's opponents
Ft. Thomas approves new school
Goal: Link with history
Kiddie porn suspect linked to N.Ky.
Land buyout came with limits for township
Mt. Orab tap water defended
Pretty park replaces city water plant
Prisoner's letters provide clues to suicide
Retiring director saw library grow
Runner's therapy leads to victory
Tower controversy lingers
TRISTATE DIGEST
