Cooling centers available in Boone and Cole counties

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ.)

To help residents beat the heat, organizations in both Boone and Cole County are reminding the community of its available cooling centers.

"It's a good place just to come in and take a few minutes if they need it or its a place where people can spend as long as they want here while were open", said Brian Higginbotham, recreation supervisor at the ARC.

The ARC is one of many cooling centers in Columbia. Higginbotham says the center also offers water and snacks if someone's experiencing heat exhaustion and really needs it. 

"We usually try to help people out if they don't have the means", said Higginbotham.

Higginbotham also says if someone comes in and is experiencing heat exhaustion,they have first responder's on site to help.

"It's either heat exhaustion or somebody has a panic attack or anything, we have first responders here with our aquatics group", said Higginbotham.

Jefferson city residents can also take a break from the heat at West Point Senior Center which is just one of the city's cooling centers. 

"It's an environment where people can get very quickly dehydrated, get exhausted and some people can be prone to heat stroke so just making sure you have ready access to air conditioning and water is always great", said Nathan Baysinger the center administrator at West Point Senior Center.

Although the heat wad day has passed, temperatures will still reach well above 90 degrees Thursday. Some of the side effects of being out in temperatures that reach 90 degrees include, heat rashes, sun burn or feeling weak, shaky, dizzy or tingly.

Cooling centers can be found in many different locations in Boone and Cole County.

Boone County Cooling Centers

• Activity and Recreation Center (ARC) at 1701 West Ash Street
• City Hall at 701 East Broadway
• Columbia and Boone County Public Health and Human Resources at 1005 W. Worley Street
• Columbia Public Library 100 W. Broadway
• Salvation Army 1108 W. Ash Street
• Salvation Army Harbor House at 602 North Ann Street
• St. Francis House at 901 Range Line Street

Jefferson City Cooling Centers

• Missouri Regional Library at 214 Adams Street
• Salvation Army of Hope at 927 Jefferson Street

The northeast community action corporation is also offering 95 air conditioners to Ameren costumers who are elderly or disabled and live in northeast Missouri. The air conditioners are available at a first-come-first-serve basis.