Tennessee Heat Relief Update

08/29/2007 -- Tennessee’s initiative for heat relief has provided air conditioners to thousands of low income families in response to the recent record-setting heat. Through a streamlined application process and direct purchases through the Tennessee Department of Human Services, 19 local community action agencies have or will distribute air conditioners to 5000 low income households across Tennessee.

“One of the key functions of government is to provide emergency assistance to citizens when needed, and I am proud to say we have lived up to this role,” Governor Phil Bredesen said. “I am particularly proud of the way Tennesseans have responded to this serious situation. The low number of problems over the last weekend is testament to people exercising caution outside and looking out for one another. Temperatures are going down, but we still have some issues in front of us. We’ll continue to monitor the public water supply, especially in rural areas where homes depend on wells for water.”

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The near and long term forecasts are for temperatures to soon drop to seasonal levels. The 19 local community agencies will continue to take care of installing units for those who have been approved and are waiting for units to arrive as they resume normal operations.

As temperatures fall - even a few degrees - and the humidity rises, “orange” alerts for ozone are falling but the state will continue to monitor and report air quality alerts to the public.

Other actions underway by the state:
• Outside burning is restricted only to residents who get permits from the Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry. The permits are necessary before conducting any outdoor, open burning of debris within 500 feet of woodlands, grasslands or forestlands.

• Open campfires are not allowed at Tennessee State Parks, because of fire hazard. Use of grills for cooking is permitted.

• The state is providing local officials with private sector contacts who’ve agreed to help when rural private wells aren’t producing. So far, there’s been no need for any emergency response or action.

• The Department of Health is warning community sports leagues and public school principals about risks associated with outdoor sporting activities, emphasizing that people should stay hydrated and get care if they feel sick.

• Licensed health care facilities are reminded to be aware of patient food and water consumption and exposure to the outdoors.

• Since July 2, more than 1,140 Tennessee farmers have been approved by the Dept. of Agriculture for $3.7 million to help them construct storage facilities for hay, in the event of future extreme weather conditions.

Comprehensive information is available on the state’s Web site at: http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/govoffice/heatdrought.html

Source: Tennessee Department of Human Services