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Pittsfield residents beat the heat at Onota Lake in Monday.

Stay Safe In the Heat Wave: Cooling Centers and Resources

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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Temperatures rose during the day, hitting 92 degrees on Main Street in North Adams. 

List of South County cooling centers here. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Summer is here, and people are feeling it with the heat wave that has hit central and eastern U.S., including Berkshire County. 

On Wednesday, the U.S. Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health issued an extreme heat alert, advising people to remember that the first heatwave of the season is when risk is the highest.
 
"Data show that heat-related illnesses and hospital visits spike during the first stretch of [85-degree] F days, before people have acclimated to the heat," it stated. 
 
According to The Weather Channel, people will be experiencing the "hottest temperatures of the year and uncomfortably muggy air from the Midwest and the Northeast."
 
The dangerous heat dome is expected to last into much of the week for some areas. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the region through 8 p.m. on Tuesday, and says while the temperature may be in the 90s, the heat index value is up to 102 degrees.
 
Wednesday is expected to be in the high 80s with chances of thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening. Thursday should bring some relief with temperatures dropping into the 70s. 
 
During prolonged periods of extreme heat, the body has to work harder to stay cool, which can be dangerous and even life-threatening if precautions are not taken, according to the Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health.
 
"While anyone can be affected, older adults, young children, pregnant individuals, workers exposed to excessive heat, and people with chronic medical conditions are especially vulnerable," it said 
 
"Taking preventive steps — like staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activity, and seeking cooler environments — can help protect your patients and community members during periods of extreme heat." 
 
Several community organizations, including libraries, senior centers, churches, and public spaces, are open for use as cooling centers. 
 
Some locations include the Pittsfield Senior Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Dalton Community Recreation Association Hall of Fame from 5:30 a.m. until 8 p.m., the Berkshire Athenaeum, the Spitzer Center, and more. 
 
A list of cooling centers can be found here
 
Explore guidance, tools, and resources to help understand, prepare for, and stay safe during periods of extreme heat in Massachusetts here.

Tags: heat advisory,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Companion Corner: Cookie at No Paws Left Behind

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There's an adventurous cat at No Paws Left Behind looking for his forever home.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

Cookie is a six year old grey and white domestic shorthair who has been at the shelter for a couple of months.

The shelter's Executive Director Noelle Howland introduced us to him.

"He came in, actually, with a couple other cats. It was just due to having too many cats in a house, and he came in with, we believe he might be like the father to the others. The others all were adopted over the last couple weeks, so he's the last one still here."

Cookie is a very friendly cat and he is always interested in the other cats to play or hang out. He can do well with other animals and any age but don't let his age fool you as he is still very active and very outgoing.

"He does well with other cats, he would do fine with being at home with dogs, kids. I know, like some people like seeing, a six year old cat you would think he may be not as active, but he is very active, outgoing, vocal. So, I think if you were somebody that was looking for a cat that was active and had a personality that I feel like he'd greet you at the door. He lets you know when he wants food. Really, he can go home with anything, as long as you want a cat that will let you know he's there, he'd be great."

He is quite adventurous as well. He enjoys climbing and exploring around his space. While he may be a bit shy to newcomers at first once he gets to know you he will talk to you and want to play.

"He likes to explore up high, so I think if you had a tall cat tower or windows for him to explore, he would love that, because he always is trying to get up high and get on the cabinets to see what's up there. There's not much he doesn't like, and then he can be a little like shy at first with new people, where he'll kind of go up to you and then walk away, but once he trusts you and is used to you, he's the easiest going social cat," she said.

Cookie does have a bit of a sensitive stomach and would be better if he has certain foods.

"We've tried a lamb or turkey food, and he's had a sensitivity to that, so we've been having him on just salmon and rice food, and he's been perfectly fine, no issues. So, otherwise, aside from the sensitivity, he's perfectly healthy and normal."

Cookie is waiting to be your next family member, if you want someone to talk to and lounge around with this is your boy.

"I really just think if you're looking for a social cat, he's going to be a great companion for somebody. I don't think it matters if you're… it doesn't matter your age. I think he would be happy to just have somebody keep him company and give him attention," she said.

If you think Cookie is your next companion be sure to fill out the form on their website and email or drop it off to No Paws Left Behind today.

 
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