Heat continues to be a big story not only for the First Coast but for much of the Southeast half to two-thirds of the nation. Augusta, GA hit 108 degrees today -- tying for the hottest temp. ever. Click here for safety tips & other info. from the NWS regarding heat. The city of Jacksonville has issued the following statement:
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 9, 2007 – With temperatures rising, residents are urged to take precautions against the heat. The City of Jacksonville offers a number of activities for residents to enjoy while keeping cool. More information about these programs and facilities may be found at www.coj.net or by calling 630-CITY (2489).
Residents are also advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned buildings, avoid outdoor activity during the mid-day hours, and check on relatives, neighbors and pets.
City Pools:
The following city pools are open Wednesday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Aug. 10. All 34 city pools are open on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. though Labor Day.
Call the pool location or 630-CITY for specific hours of operation. Signage noting the days and hours of operation has been placed at each location.
- Andrew Jackson High School, 128 W. 30th St., 630-0281
- Blue Cypress Center and Pool, 4012 University Blvd. N., 744-3494
- Cecil Aquatics Center, 13611-A Normandy Blvd., 573-8994
- Charles B. Clark Park and Sherwood Pool, 8739 Sibbald Road, 768-6422
- Clanzel T. Brown Park, 4515 Moncrief Road, 768-1330
- Englewood High School, 4412 Barnes Road, 448-6895
- Eugene Butler Middle School, 900 Acorn St., 630-0322
- Fletcher High School, 700 Seagate Ave., 247-6327
- Forrest High School, 5530 Firestone Road, 573-2485
- Harts Road Park and Pool, 15597 Harts Road, 696-2000
- Jefferson Street Pool, 1358 Jefferson St, 630-0994
- Lake Shore Middle School, 2519 Bayview Road, 387-1772
- Robert E. Lee High School, 1200 S. McDuff Ave., 387-6959
- Mallison Center and Pool, 3133 Lenox Ave., 388-2639
- Mandarin High School, 4831 Greenland Road, 292-1541
- Oceanway Center and Pool, 12215 Sago Ave. W., 757-8704
- Raines High School, 3663 Raines Ave., 765-0920
- Robert Kennedy Center and Pool, 1139 Ionia St., 630-0939
- Terry Parker High School, 7301 Parker School Road, 723-6144
- Woodland Acres Park and Pool, 8200 Kona Ave., 724-6169
Kids Kampus Splash Water Park
1410 Gator Blvd., 630-5437
The Kids Kampus Splash Water Park is open daily from 8 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. through Labor Day. There are two areas inside the park—"Three Friends" and "Bayou, Bogs, & Frogs." "Three Friends" is a large boat play structure with a water slide and water cannons. "Bayou, Bogs, & Frogs" is for younger children through age 6. It is a non-skid, sculptured rug that depicts Florida's wetlands and includes water jets for wet and wild fun.
JaxParks Community Centers
The Department of Parks, Recreation, Entertainment and Conservation staffs more than 25 community centers throughout the city. The centers feature free indoor activities for children and families such as games, crafts, pool, table tennis and special events.
A complete listing of community center locations and hours may be found at www.jaxparks.com (click on “Community Centers”) or by calling 630-CITY (2489).
Senior Centers
The Adult Services Division operates 19 senior centers across the community for residents age 60 and over. The centers Services and activities include counseling for health, social service and personal problems; educational programs addressing health, nutrition, vocational improvement and personal enrichment; medical escort (on a limited basis) to and from services; information on resources and services available within Adult Services; referrals to other agencies; meals; recreational activities; special events; transportation; regular shopping and field trips.
A complete listing of senior center locations and hours of operation may be found at www.coj.net (key words “Senior Centers”) or by calling 630-CITY (2489).
Libraries
The Jacksonville Public Library consists of a 300,000 square foot Main Library and 20 regional, community and neighborhood branch libraries and provides a great place for those most susceptible to extreme heat – seniors and families with small children – to enjoy indoor activities and programs. The JPL also serve the needs of the community with Talking Books Library for Disabled Customers and an active adult literacy program. In addition to traditional library services, the JPL features a number of unique educational programs and social opportunities for residents of any age.
A complete listing of library locations, hours, programs and phone numbers may be found at www.jaxpubliclibrary.org or by calling 630-CITY (2489).
Pet Precautions
Like humans, pets are susceptible to overheating. Owners should make sure their pets have plenty of cool water and that outdoor animals have a source of continuous shade.
If a pet becomes overheated, it is important to calm the animal and give it cool (not cold) water to drink. If it cannot drink, roll the animal onto its back and place icepacks or a cool wet towel on its abdomen to lower body temperature. Seek immediate veterinary attention.
Not a whole lot of relief this weekend though there should be more thunderstorm activity Sat. afternoon & even more Sun. afternoon. Temps. early Sat. will be 80+ in most places & quickly jump into the 90s as widely scattered to scattered storms develop from noon on. We should shave a few degrees Sun. due to convection developing a little earlier & -- more importantly -- being more widespread. We'll have to watch for the potential for severe storms the next few days as the center of the upper level ridge shifts west allowing upper air disturbances to ride south on its east edge instigating widespread strong storms when & if the disturbances match up with the heating of the day as well as where sea breezes set up. I've seen this set-up before around here, & it can lead to some powerful afternoon storms. We should see temps. "drop" to near or a little above 90 by early next week thanks on onshore component to the winds before heating up some again at midweek.
"Earth Gauge":
Avian Decline
The National Audubon Society recently looked at 40 years of data about bird populations, finding that many of the United States' common bird* populations are in decline. For instance, the loggerhead shrike population, gray robin-sized birds with black wings, has declined by 70 percent - from ten million to three million individuals. Many of the declining bird populations are threatened by loss of habitat as cities, suburbs, and farmlands grow.
Viewer Tip: It's estimated that each year, more than 2 million acres of land are used for residential areas. By making some simple landscape choices, you can create a backyard habitat that will welcome feathered-friends. Late summer is a great time to plan for new fall landscaping - consider adding native shrubs and trees to your yard, which are plants that grow naturally in your area and are well-adapted to local weather conditions. More native plants in your yard means more habitat for local birds and wildlife!
*Audubon defines common birds as those populations with more than 500,000 individuals worldwide, ranges more than 385,000 square miles, and that are not on the Audubon WatchList for at-risk bird species.
(Sources: Audubon Magazine, Summer 2007. "Wakeup Call: Common Birds in Decline." National Audubon Society. Available from: www.audubonmagazine.org; National Audubon Society's Audubon at Home program - Monthly Tips and Reminders for Your Healthy Yard: August. www.audubon.org)
Climate Fact: Leaf Litter Loss
Globally, more than a third of all amphibian species are threatened and over 120 species have become extinct since 1980. In an old-growth lowland forest reserve in Costa Rica, the average daily minimum temperature has climbed about one degree Celsius in the past 35 years, while the average number of days per year when it is dry has fallen by half. These changes are causing ground leaf litter to decompose faster and trees to drop fewer leaves, thus reducing the amount of leaf litter present. This leaf litter provides habitat for many of the forest’s reptiles and amphibians, and the loss of this habitat is linked to a 75 percent reduction in the populations of these species.
(Source: Whitfield, Steven, et al. “Amphibian and reptile declines over 35 years at La Selva, Costa Rica.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 20 April 2007 10.1073/pnas.0611256104. Accessed Online 1 June 2007 http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/0611256104v1)
Have a great & safe weekend & try to stay cool!
