The official explanation from the Mayor’s office, on behalf of the city and county.
From: Crawley, Katie
Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2013 2:30 PM
To: All Alders
Cc: Soglin, Paul; Ruckriegel, Ed; Dahl, Eric
Subject: Heat related informationSome of you have had inquires regarding cooling shelters. While the city is recommending cooling centers, there are no current plans for cooling shelters for overnight use. Below is information Ed Ruckriegel’s staff and I have drafted. I hope this is helpful.
The City and County plan for heat related events is based on medical data, health information and the weather forecast. In addition, the plan uses existing shelter resources such as Porchlight and the Salvation Army. The plan was developed in collaboration with the Health Department, Red Cross, Police Dept., Fire Dept., community based shelters, the Mayor’s Office and Dane County Emergency Management.
The plan calls for an overnight shelter only if there is an Excessive Heat Warning which would be triggered by overnight temperatures over 80 degrees for more than three consecutive nights. That has not, and is not happening. There are many options for cooling centers during the day including public buildings, libraries, shopping malls and senior centers. Porchlight has a weather exception in effect allowing more occupants and staff there report St. John’s Church is air conditioned and open for overflow.
Currently there is a Heat Advisory in effect, not an Excessive Heat Warning. Below is information from Meteorologist Charlie Shortino.
– The Heat Advisory is in effect until 7pm Friday. Temps and humidity levels will be below Heat Advisory criteria most of the days and nights. The only time the heat index will be at that level will be during the period 2pm to 8pm each of the next few days. They issued it for the whole period so they don’t have to reissue it each day.
– I highly doubt if a Warning will be issued. Temps are barely high enough for an Advisory.If anyone has any questions Ed would be happy to talk to you and can be reached at 575-9856
Katie Crawley
Office of the Mayor
City-County Building, Room 403
210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd
Madison, WI 53703-3345
608-266-4611
www.cityofmadison.com
kcrawley@cityofmadison.com
Before the protests, the Capitol basement used to be open all the time and the homeless people would hang out there. Then they closed it to the public to set up a command center for all the extra security, and never opened it up again. 95% of the time it sits empty.
Let her sit out there all day and all night. Really despicable dismiss
of any discomfort those who are without shelter might be going through.
Does she realize many homeless are disabled? On meds? with children?