"Stay cool, stay hydrated and stay informed:" Excessive heat to take hold
“Stay cool, stay hydrated and stay informed:” Excessive heat takes hold beginning Thursday
"Stay cool, stay hydrated and stay informed:" Excessive heat takes hold beginning Thursday
MILWAUKEE -- The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat WARNING set to take effect on Thursday, July 21st at noon and continue through Friday, July 22nd at 7:00 p.m. for most of southeastern Wisconsin.
The heat shouldn't be taken lightly. Officials with agencies across southeastern Wisconsin have been issuing warnings ahead of the impending heat wave, including Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who held a news conference Wednesday afternoon, July 20th.
"It hasn't been that hot, but it's getting there now. It's getting there now," Sheryl Stamps said.
Columbia School Playfield
Water brought relief to kids at the Columbia School Playfield Wednesday -- with temperatures expected to soar on Thursday and Friday.
Mayor Barrett
"It's going to be very, very hot," Mayor Barrett said.
Barrett asks that you be smart.
"Stay cool, stay hydrated and stay informed," Barrett said.
Cool Spots in Milwaukee County will be open two hours longer than usual on Thursday and Friday.
"We're going to stay open a couple of extra hours to provide this relief to the community," Lynn Greb, recreational director for MPS said.
Columbia School Playfield
Sprinklers are connected to fire hydrants provided by the Milwaukee Water Works at several Milwaukee Public
Schools playgrounds.
Cool Spots are open weekdays when the temperature is predicted to be 85 degrees or hotter, or when the city of Milwaukee issues a heat advisory.
For Thursday, July 21st and Friday, July 22nd, Cool Spots will be open 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – two hours longer than the usual 5:00 p.m. closing time.
2016 Cool Spots
MPS Recreation Wading Pools are another great way to stay cool on those hot summer days! Wading pools
are open Monday-Friday (and Saturday at Enderis) from June 20th through August 12th:
2016 MPS Wading Pools
You can also cool off in a Milwaukee County community center pool.
For information, call the 24-hour Pool and Beach Hotline, (414) 257-7230, or visit www.county.milwaukee.gov/Pools9145.htm.
Officials with the Milwaukee Department of Public Works are reminding people NOT to open fire hydrants. It is dangerous and against the law to open fire hydrants without permission -- no matter how hot the temperature.
Dean Cannestra
Festa Italiana takes place from July 22nd through the 24th at Maier Festival Park.
Festa officials say water stations will be located throughout the grounds where people can obtain free water, and there will be misting stations, along with lots of shade along the lakefront and throughout the grounds.
"We'll be giving away free, chilled water for everybody as they need it," Dean Cannestra, VP of Festa Italiana said.
A splash pad will be available for kids and adults.
There will be several covered stages and tents on the grounds for people to take cover from the sun -- and there will be lots of water on hand for the Vince Lombardi run on Saturday morning.
"It's cooler near the lake. The statement's been used many times before and it's very accurate," Cannestra said.
CLICK HERE for tips, resources and cool spots as the extreme heat takes hold.