Extreme heat expected this week; utility assistance available
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Help is available for people struggling to pay utility bills as temperatures hit near-record levels later this week.
The temperature will reach the upper 90s Thursday with a heat index of around 100 degrees. On Friday the high could reach 100 degrees and the heat index could be around 105 degrees.
If the temperature reaches 100 degree Friday it would tie a record in Columbia set in 1953. High humidity is expected both days.
Sydney Olsen, a spokeswoman for the City of Columbia, said utility customers can sign up for two programs if they need help paying their utility bill. The C.A.S.H and the H.E.L.P programs help people with disabilities, people with children and elderly individuals.
Olsen said the city also recommends Central Missouri Community Action, which distributes assistance through the federal Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
LIHEAP helps more than 7,000 families in Mid-Missouri annually, according to CMCA figures. The organization serves people in several Mid-Missouri counties.
The program is broken down into two components: Energy Assistance and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program. Applicants must have an income at or below 135% of the established federal poverty line to qualify.
The Voluntary Action Center also offers a free summer fan program through the end of September where clients who are within 200% of the poverty line can get a new fan for their home. The center also works with the city and Boone Electric to do an air conditioner exchange program on Tuesdays and Thursdays where people can bring in a broken window AC to exchange for a new one.
Heather Stewart with the Voluntary Action Center said last year there was a drop in the need for these programs, but this year the center is "giving out fans like crazy." Last year in total, they gave out 87 fans and so far in 2021 they have given over 60 fans so far.
"Being able to not have to purchase a fan and get a fan for free could make a huge impact on someone's life. It's one less decision they have to make on what they may have to give up," Stewart said.
Cooling centers in Columbia will be open to the public.
Olsen said the Activity and Recreation Center, the Columbia/Boone County Health Department and the Boone County Government Center are all open during business hours when extreme heat is in effect. The city also stops disconnections when the temperature reaches 90 degrees, Olsen said.
The Salvation Army has two cooling centers in Columbia that supply snacks and water. Some cooling centers provide meals and overnight shelter.
"People tend to think of extreme weather more in the winter than they do the summer, but heat can be really dangerous for people especially those with underlying health conditions," Olsen said.
