Given the stifling heat this week, area power companies are taking steps of their own to reduce cost impacts and they are encouraging residents to do likewise.
Evergy Manager of External Communications Gina Penzig says utility crews are attending daily safety meetings to make sure they are prepared. Other work is done well ahead of potential heat waves.
Evergy is also adding more technology to detect stress in the system, hopefully before outages develop, or at the least in an effort to shorten any outages that happen.
Meanwhile, 4 Rivers General Manager Dennis Svanes, a guest on KVOE’s Morning Show on Thursday, says customers can make a few adjustments and help their electric bills in the process.
The National Weather Service records for Emporia date back to the early 1950s, and if the forecast holds this would be among the earliest days Emporia has reached 100 degrees. The current earliest 100-degree day is June 10, 1953, when Emporia hit 100 degrees. The hottest it has gotten in June was June 15, 1953, at 107 degrees.
5:30 am Thursday: Heat advisory affects Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage, Wabaunsee counties from 1-7 pm Thursday
Heat has been building all week across the KVOE listening area, and it will likely reach its peak Thursday.
Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties are in a heat advisory from 1-7 pm. Air temperatures are expected to reach 102 in Emporia by late afternoon and heat index readings could be as high as 105 areawide.
Friday could also see triple-digit heat with a high of 101. Weekend temperatures could be in the mid- and upper 90s before a significant cooldown early next week.
While the heat continues, you are encouraged to stay in air conditioning if you can. If you can’t, stay out of the sun if possible and be sure to drink lots of water. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes. If you work outside, do your best to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Be sure never to leave young children or pets unattended in vehicles under any circumstances, especially in these conditions, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
