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Chattanooga: Plea made for fans, fluids, financial aid for needy

By: Adam Crisp
(Contact)

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Kimberly George

If it feels unseasonably hot today, your inner thermometer is pretty accurate.

“Thursday is going to be hot again but a little more humid,” David Glenn, WTVC News-Channel 9 chief meteorologist, said on his Internet broadcast. “We could see some late-afternoon showers Thursday, but there’s a better chance Friday afternoon and an even better chance as we approach the weekend.”

Hot weather appears to be an unwelcome guest that has arrived slightly early this summer, records show. And its arrival has the Salvation Army here calling on the community to help provide electric fans, drinks and financial assistance to the needy.

Records from the National Weather Service in Morristown show the 30-year average high for this time of year should be around 88 degrees. Wednesday’s high at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport was 95 degrees, the weather service reported.

The record high temperature for Wednesday was set in 1952 at 102 degrees, records show.

Until rain or some other weather system comes through, temperatures will continue to tick higher and higher, said Derek Eisentrout, a weather service representative.

“As we get further and further into summer, a system known as the Bermuda High grows in strength and causes a warm, stagnant air mass to form over the Southeast,” Mr. Eisentrout said. “That allows the temperatures to continue to climb until a front comes through.”

Relief may appear Friday with increased cloud cover and an expected high of 88 degrees, Mr. Eisentrout and Mr. Glenn predicted.

The Salvation Army is appealing for help to the homeless and low-income residents and for financial assistance to those who can’t pay their electric bills, spokeswoman Kimberly George said.

Wednesday was the kickoff for the Salvation Army’s annual Beat the Heat drive, which seeks donations of cash, electric fans and beverages. The first day was a big success, thanks to help from the Ooltewah Wal-Mart, which donated 85 electric fans and 1,320 bottles of water, Ms. George said.

“Our Beat the Heat Campaign is a three-prong approach to help the poor and the homeless get relief from the heat,” she said. “Today’s donation from Wal-Mart is just a huge blessing to us.”

Wal-Mart’s donation is just the beginning of the store’s efforts to help as temperatures inch closer to 100 degrees, store manager Todd Suchy said. He said the company hopes to match Wednesday’s donation with a second delivery later this summer.

“Depending on the season, we work with the community. Right now, it’s the Salvation Army and trying to keep people cool,” Mr. Suchy said. “The company gives us the ability to be a part of the community through funding and, as a store manager, me and my community relations team ... we vote on what would be the most powerful impact.”

Though Ms. George said Wal-Mart’s donation is a tremendous start, the charity still needs help from the public.

“Last year, we gave out 500 fans to the community and about a dozen air conditioners,” she said. “The public’s help is still very much needed.”

Electric fans cost between $12 and $15 each, she said. Donations are accepted at the Salvation Army’s administrative offices at 800 McCallie Ave.

The agency expects an increased need for heat assistance this summer, Ms. George said.

“Overall, we are seeing an incredible increase in the need for our programs,” she said. “I’m certain (the worsening economy) is the case. People are having to decide if they should put gas in their cars, pay their bills or buy groceries.”

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