Glen Carbon police lobby opened as a cooling shelter

Glen Carbon has opened the police department lobby at 149 N. Main St. as a cooling shelter as dangerous heat grips Madison County.

The announcement comes as the National Weather Service has an extreme heat warning in effect for the county through July 2, with heat index values reported as high as 110 degrees.

The village’s move gives residents without reliable air conditioning a place to cool down during the warning, which raises the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke for people spending time outdoors or in hot homes.

Why the shelter opened

The cooling shelter is a public-safety response to the ongoing heat emergency. Glen Carbon police urged residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces, and avoid prolonged time in the sun.

The department also advised people to check on relatives and neighbors, especially those who may be more vulnerable to heat.

Heat-safety guidance

Police said strenuous outdoor activities should be rescheduled for early morning or evening when possible.

They also warned that children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles.

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool, shaded place, and suspected heat stroke should be treated as an emergency.

What to watch next

Officials may update the community if they open additional cooling sites or publish specific hours for access to the police lobby shelter. For now, the village is using the police department’s lobby as a simple, immediate place for residents to get out of the heat.