Even as temperatures surpassed 90 degrees once again Thursday, the heat didn’t stop people in and around Reading from going about their business.
For some, that business already revolves around keeping cool: when the weather gets hot, people head to their local pools in droves. George Vogel, a manager at the Wyomissing Pool, said as many as 500 people can be expected to come to the pool on an especially hot day, compared with the pool’s average of about 300 daily guests.
To make lifeguards’ lives easier, Vogel said that when it’s especially hot, he tends to bring in an extra guard so that each lifeguard can take a longer break. He also encourages them to put on extra sunscreen and sit under umbrellas.
For Kathy Kleppinger and her dog, Clouseau, staying cool is part of a daily routine, even on days less sweltering than Thursday. The Wyomissing resident walks with her dog along the trail near the Reading Public Museum every morning, and along the way they stop so Clouseau can take a dip in the Wyomissing Creek.
“This is his normal walk, and he loves the water,” said Kleppinger, who has gotten to know others who also take their dogs to swim in the creek on a regular basis.
While Clouseau was perfectly happy spending his morning in the creek, it can be dangerous for animals to be outside for long periods later in the day.
The Animal Rescue League of Berks County activated a Code Red ordinance starting at noon Thursday. Under this ordinance, which will remain in effect until 8 p.m. today, people are encouraged to keep their pets inside, and animals found left outside could be taken by an animal control officer.
Even without the chance to cool off in a pool or a creek, many deal with the heat as part of their work days, even amid a National Weather Service heat advisory.
The weather service warned of a heat index reaching or surpassing 100 degrees; the heat index reached 100 just before 5 p.m. And Thursday marked the third consecutive day temperatures reached at least 90 degrees in Berks.
Jeremy Missimer of Mohnton spent his morning cutting the grass in a shady section outside the Reading Public Museum, taking breaks to drink water or stand near a fan.
But the workers who dealt with the most heat may have been those laying asphalt on South Second Street.
Construction worker Ryan Bannon of Exeter Township said the hot weather is compounded by the asphalt getting as hot as 300 degrees. On days like Thursday, workers are given instructions in the morning on how to stay safe in the heat, and they are encouraged to stay hydrated.
All six Berks Encore locations welcome seniors to come in and beat the heat, according to LuAnn Oatman, the organization’s president and CEO.
Seniors can cool off, enjoy something to drink and learn more about Berks Encore services, she said. Berks Encore in Reading is open until 4 p.m. every day. Berks Encore’s locations in Birdsboro, Fleetwood, Shillington, Wernersville and Strausstown are open until 3 p.m. every day.
Oatman also urged those with elderly neighbors to check in on them.
(Staff writer Anthony Orozco contributed to this story.)
Contact Ellen Bardash: 610-371-5019 or ebardash@readingeagle.com.
