SEATTLE—
It's confirmed! The National Weather Service says the Seattle area beat its all time heat record of 100 degrees, setting a new one of 103 degrees!Sea-Tac Airport reached 102 degrees as of 2:50 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Officials say temperatures could still climb throughout the day.
The previous record was set on July 20, 1994 at 100 degrees.
The City of Seattle has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate a citywide response and assist residents who may need help during this record heat streak.
Seattle police officers are checking on the welfare of vulnerable people, including the homeless, and are providing water and information on city facilities where people can escape the heat. Patrol officers will make routine checks of parks and other public areas through Friday.
The Human Services Department continues to contact vulnerable senior citizens who are part of the city's case management program. The Seattle Housing Authority is monitoring the welfare of tenants who may be at risk due to the hot spell.
Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities have suspended service disconnections for the duration of the heat wave. Service will not be cut off to customers for failure to pay their utility bills. City Light urges those using portable air conditioners to check the amperage on the unit and the outlet, as overloading the outlet could create a fire hazard.
The Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., and 16 library branches have air conditioning and are open until 8 p.m. Queen Anne, Green Lake, Fremont, Columbia and Northeast branches do not have air conditioning and closed this afternoon. The Library is continuing to monitor the temperatures at the West Seattle and University branches, which are historic Carnegie facilities without air conditioning.
Seattle Parks and Recreation announced a temporary ban on camp fires at Golden Gardens and Alki beaches through Monday, Aug. 3. Visitors can still use barbecue grills to cook. City wading pools are being kept open longer through Thursday to help people beat the heat. Indoor swimming pools are operating on regular schedules.
For more information on pools, beaches and spray features, visit www.seattle.gov/parks At Seattle Center, the International and Dupen fountains are operating under extended hours, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., through Friday this week for the public to cool down from the high temperatures. Center House is air conditioned and open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily, and some of the food vendors will remain open during evening hours to accommodate visitors. Currently, no emergency shelters have been activated.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat warning in effect until 6 p.m., Friday.
