“Are you in a position to provide cooling places,” Supervisor Richard Coleman asked Emergency Management Agency Director Bill Quinton.
Temperatures in the Mississippi Delta can reach sweltering, dangerous heights in the summer months.
According to Coleman, there are many county residents having to go without air-conditioning.
“We could have something of a problem if the weather hits triple digits,” said Coleman. “I just think this county needs a cooling place.”
In early July 2009 — this time last summer — Bolivar County lost two citizens due to heat.
The deaths caused Deputy Coronor Dr. J.O. Trice of Rosedale to make a public service announcement during a board of supervisors meeting last summer.
“There have been two deaths in Bolivar County that have been heat related or due to heat exhaustion and dehydration,” said Trice. “If you are elderly, especially without air-conditioning, be sure to drink at least an eight ounce glass of water every hour until you have to use the bathroom.
“Fans will dehydrate people by evaporating sweat which feels cool but makes the body hotter,” he continued.
Though this advice was given out a year ago, it is still viable today, particularly in the event of a heat advisory.
Last summer, Bolivar County was placed under a heat advisory for several weeks.
Heat advisories are issued by the National Weather Service when the heat index exceeds 105.
Excessive heat warnings are issued when the heat index exceeds 110.
Coleman mentioned heat related deaths during Tuesday’s board meting.
“According to the coroner, we had two deaths that were heat related,” he said.
However, it was pointed out that those were the deaths from last summer.
The supervisors discussed using a county building from noon to 7 p.m. as an air conditioned place that citizens without other options to go.
However, some were concerned that could become a liability.
“The liability is not an issue for me if it saves a life,” said Supervisor James McBride. “I don’t know about the rest of the board but for me it’s worth it if it saves a life.”
“If an emergency is declared, I would imagine that then the county has to provide a place for citizens to go,” said Board Attorney Linda Coleman.
No firm decisions were made on the matter.