Eastern Heat Puts Strain on Water Supplies

Record high temperatures in the Great Lakes region Tuesday strained water supplies and readings of up to 101 degrees across the plains prompted the opening of shelters for Kansas residents without air conditioning.

Temperatures mostly in the mid-90s baked states from Missouri to Illinois and from North Dakota to Oklahoma, with 40% to 50% humidity over much of the plains making it feel even hotter.

“There are about 100 people at the pool today, about twice the normal amount,” said Tracy Hadley, a lifeguard in Salina, Kan., where it was 96 degrees. “It’s pretty much wall-to-wall people, and it will stay like this until the heat breaks.”

The mercury reached 101 at Lincoln, Neb., and Altus, Okla., and record high readings were set in Michigan, with an 87 at Alpena and 83 at Marquette. Records also were set in Minnesota, where Duluth hit 87 and International Falls recorded 92.

East Gets Relief

Hot, humid weather that was smothering the East Coast eased Tuesday, with temperatures in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas hitting 84, below Monday’s scorching 94 that closed schools in the area.

School administrators in Fairfax, Va., however, closed schools an hour early Tuesday in anticipation of the heat. The temperature reached 85 in the city Tuesday.

In the upper Great Lakes, where the heat was most intense, the Grand Rapids, Mich., suburb of Kentwood banned lawn sprinkling in fear of a water shortage caused by record usage.

“There was some concern about the system running dry,” Mayor Gerald DeRuiter said. “That is a very dangerous situation for fire protection services.”

Heat in the plains prompted officials in cities across Kansas, including Topeka and Wichita, to open community shelters to residents who do not have air conditioning and people were urged to take precautions against the sweltering conditions.