KOSCIUSKO — With dangerous temperatures and high humidity forecast beginning Thursday, many area communities are offering cooling centers to help residents stay safe.

The National Weather Service announced the region is under an excessive heat warning as tempertures by Friday and Saturday reach into the mid-90s.

Numerous communities are opening facilities to help folks stay cool.

The city of Warsaw will host a daytime cooling center at the Pete Thorn Center, 800 N. Park Ave, Warsaw. 

Residents with animals that need cooling will need to bring their own kennel (Thursday and Friday only). The cooling center will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, July 19.

 Fellowship Missions, 1520 Winona Ave., Warsaw, is also serving as a cooling center during daytime hours. The cooling station is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning today through Saturday. 

Other opportunities to avoid the heat:

• A cooling station will be provided at the Winona Lake Senior Center, located at 1590 Park Ave., Winona Lake, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, through Friday, July 19. 
• The Mentone Emergency Services building will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 18, and Friday, July 19. The building is located at 201 W. Main St., Mentone.
• The Pierceton Community Building will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, July 18, and Friday, July 19, as a cooling center.
• Milford Clerk-Treasurer Trish Gall said the town does not have any plans for a center, but if someone needs assistance they can contact the clerk’s office (574) 658-4519 or Van Buren Township Trustee Becky Alles at (574) 658-9686.
• Milford Fire Chief Todd Haines said the Milford Fire Station will be open from Friday through Monday for residents. Haines said residents can contact him at (574) 453-6836 if help is needed and the firefighters will do what they can to assist.
• Those living in the North Webster/Tippecanoe Township area can go to the North Webster Community Center. The center is open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 18, and Friday, July 19, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 20.
• Wawasee High School will serve as a cooling center during evening and overnight hours, on Friday, July 19, from 7 p.m. – 8 a.m. Enter Door 1.
• For residents in Syracuse and Turkey Creek Township, the Syracuse Community Center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 18; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, July 19; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Turkey Creek Fire Territory Fire Chief stated persons needing a location after the community center is closed should contact Station 1 at (574) 457-4100 or call 911.

Residents are encouraged to check on family members and neighbors, bring pets inside and only go outdoors if absolutely necessary.