Fort Wayne are the surrounding area had major storm damage related to Friday's storm, which packed wind gusts of up to 91 mph. Now, as residents get their electrical power restored, a triple-digit heat wave is struck. Here are some updates:
Red Cross shelter closing Friday
The American Red Cross shelter at First Assembly of God will be closing at 10 a.m. Friday. Only a few residents remained at the shelter Thursday evening and arrangements were being made to house those families elsewhere. The majority of residents have been able to return home after their power was restored.
Anyone wanting to donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help with local or national relief operations can do so by calling 1-800-RED CROSS, visiting redcross.org or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. To learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer to assist in future disasters, call the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana at 484-9336.
Parts of Greenway blocked
Trail users are urged to use caution when traveling along sections of the city's trail system damaged during Friday's severe storm.
Trail users should be prepared to travel around the brush and large branches that were knocked onto the trails or those broken branches still suspended above the trail.
While some debris has been removed, the following obstructions remain:
*Maumee Pathway, where the trail is blocked in the 700, 1000 and 1500 blocks of Edgewater Avenue; partially blocked in the 1800 block of Niagara Drive and completely blocked and boardwalk damaged between the North River Road Trailhead and Kreager Park.
*St. Joe Boulevard Pathway, where the trail is blocked by downed trees and limbs near the intersection of Lake Avenue.
*St. Joe Pathway in Shoaff Park, where the trail is blocked in south Shoaff Park, between East Shore Drive and the boardwalk. Trail users can get around the downed tree by walking or riding through the grass.
Cleanup of the trails may take several weeks. For more information about trail system damage, go to www.fortwayneparks.org, then click on Trails and then Trails Closed.
95% of power outages restored
As of 2 p.m. Thursday, 95 percent of the storm restoration effort has been completed, according to Indiana Michigan Power spokesman Dave Mayne. Crews are working to restore the remaining 4,200 customers in the Fort Wayne area who lost power after the storm. In Allen County, 78,000 customers had their electric service interrupted by the storm.
Triple-digit temperatures
Thursday's high was predicted to be 104, with Friday's high expected to be near 106. The heat index will be around 110. The level of ozone in Fort Wayne and Allen County has been forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups Friday, according to the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health. Active children and adults, the elderly, and people with heart or lung disease should limit or avoid prolonged outdoor exertion while an Air Quality Action Day for Ozone is in effect. If breathing becomes difficult, go indoors and contact your health care provider.
Price cut at city pools beginning Thursday
Children 12 and younger will be admitted free to Northside, Memorial and McMillen pools. Those 13 and older will pay $1.
Thursday pool hours are 12:30-5 p.m. at Northside and Memorial, and 1:30-7 p.m. at McMillen. Friday hours are 12:30-5 and 7-9 p.m. at Northside, 12:30-5 p.m. at Memorial and 1:30-7 p.m. at McMillen. Saturday hours are 12:30-5 p.m. at Northside, 12:30-5 p.m. at Memorial and 1:30-7 p.m. at McMillen.
Residents will only be allowed into the pools until they reach capacity, whether or not they plan to swim. About 400 people will be allowed into Northside and McMillen pools at one time; Memorial Pool will hold only 200.
Foster's 100th celebration delayed
Due to storm damage in Foster Park, its 100th year celebration scheduled for Friday and Saturday will be postponed until July 27 and 28. The celebration golf scramble scheduled for Saturday is cancelled, with hopes of rescheduling it in September.
For a new schedule of events, see our Living section.
