The National Weather Service has put much of southwest and lower mid-Michigan under an “excessive heat warning” through Saturday. With the humidity factored in, it could feel as hot as 110-degrees in some places later this week.
Chapters of The American Red Cross are prepared for the heat wave. Chip Kraght directs emergency services for the west Michigan district.
“It can become a disaster, however, with some really easy preventative stuff and some careful monitoring people can really prevent any sort of side effects,” Kraght said.
Kraght says staying out of the sun during the middle of the day and drinking lots of water is the best thing to avoid heat stroke. The Red Cross is prepared to open cooling centers if there’s a demand.
Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell urged people to keep elderly neighbors and young children in mind because they are more vulnerable to heat stroke.
“It would be tragic in this community if we were to lose even a single life as a result of this heat when there are resources available. Please, please take advantage of them,” Heartwell said.
The vast majority of Michigan counties participate in 2-1-1 help lines. People looking for a place to cool down, or who need transportation to get to a cooling center can call 2-1-1 for help.
