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The York County Area Agency on Aging has been making a lot of phone calls in the past 24 hours.
"We're calling seniors to make sure they have air conditioning," said Jenny Nace, the agency's information specialist. "We're encouraging them to get to senior centers, to stay cool and well hydrated."
With temperatures reaching the mid-90s on Wednesday and forecast by the National Weather Service to do the same Thursday, senior centers throughout the county and the local Salvation Army have set up cooling stations where the public can get water in an air-conditioned area.
The Agency on Aging, the county commissioners and the county office of emergency management helped coordinate the cooling centers, said Nace and Carl Lindquist, the county's spokesman.
"We are thankful that there are so many organizations that are willing to help in a time like this," Lindquist said. "A lot of people take heat for granted, but it can be deadly and it should be taken seriously."
High temperatures and high humidity can lead to heat-related illnesses, he said. There is high concern, especially for seniors and people with disabilities, Lindquist added.
The Salvation army served at least four people at its cooling station Wednesday at 124 S. Duke St. in York City, said Maj. Suzanne Saunders, a chapel pastor. The agency provided water, snacks, magazines to read and an area for people to sit, she said.
"If feels good here," Saunders said. "People can stay here as long as they want to cool down."
The Salvation Army's cooling station will be available Thursday from noon to 4:30 p.m., she said.
While a high of 96 degrees was expected for Thursday, the weather will cool off just a bit with the weather service predicting highs of 89 on Friday, 85 on Saturday and 83 on Sunday. Friday's low will be 72 degrees, while the lows for Saturday and Sunday will be near the mid-60s, according to the National Weather Service.
In the meantime, the area agency on aging is still holding the annual York County Senior Games, which started Monday and conclude Saturday, Nace said.
"We're keeping (participants) well hydrated and making sure they cool down in the shade," she said.
These senior centers have extended hours to help cope with the heat:
* Dillsburg Senior Activity Center, 1 N. Second St., Dillsburg, open until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and until 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Phone: 432-2216.
* Golden Visions Senior Community Center, 250 Fame Ave., Hanover, open until 6 p.m. the remainder of the week. Phone: 633-5072.
* Heritage Senior Center, 3700 Davidsburg Road, Dover, open until 5 p.m. the remainder of the week. Phone: 292-7471.
* Red Land Senior Center, 736 Wyndamere Road, Lewisberry, closes at 4:30 p.m. the remainder of the week. Phone: 938-4649.
* Stewartstown Senior Center, Broadway & Main Street, Stewartstown, open until 5 p.m. the remainder of the week. Phone: 993-3488.
* Susquehanna Senior Center, 2427 Craley Road, Wrightsville, open until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, until 9 p.m. Thursday and 5 p.m. Friday. Phone: 244-0340.
* White Rose Senior Center, 27 South Broad St., York City, closes at 5 p.m. the remainder of the week. Phone: 843-9704.
* Windy Hill Senior Center, 50 North East St., Suite 2, Spring Grove, open until 4:30 p.m. or 5 p.m. the rest of the week. Phone: 225-0733.
* York Community S.E.N.I.O.R.S., 1251 W. King St., West York, will remain open as needed. Interested individuals should contact the center for hours. Phone: 848-4417.
--Reach Eyana Adah McMillan at emcmillan@yorkdispatch.com.
