Cooling stations in place to help people avoid heat

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Widespread power outages resulting from Friday’s storm caused problems all over northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio. Factor in the ninety degree temperatures and many people were trying to find a way to stay cool.

Several cooling centers are in place across northeast Indiana.  The American Red Cross is operating a cooling center in the First Assembly of God church on West Washington Center Road.  The center is open 24 hours. Currently the facility can hold 400 to 500 people. 

“We’re here to help. We’re open, it’s a cool place to stay if they don’t have power or their homes have been damaged,” said Amy Poffenberger, American Red Cross Shelter Manager.

The shelter offers three meals a day.  There are also light snacks in between meals.

The Red Cross isn’t able to provide everything for everyone.  Poffenberger suggested people bring the necessities.

“Good things for them to bring would be blankets, sleeping bags if they have it, pillows, hygiene products we do have showers, so towels and such for that, medication certainly and anything they can bring to keep themselves occupied,” said Poffenberger.

On Saturday, the American Red Cross said the shelter would remain open until" all residents have a safe place to return."  The shelter is free of charge for anyone affected by Friday's storm.

Anyone wanting to make a donation to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund can call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcross.org. 

The City of Fort Wayne has made arrangements for other cooling centers on Monday at the following locations:

• The Community Center on west Main Street
• Jerry Fox Lifetime Sports Academy at the McMillen Park Golf Clubhouse
• Jennings Center

Each cooling center is open from 9 to 7 p.m.

If you want to know if there is a cooling shelter in your area, please call your local Red Cross chapter.