The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for parts of the Metroplex through Friday evening. The heat advisory includes Dallas and Tarrant counties and counties to the south.
The National Weather Service says heat index values could reach 110 degrees. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 90s, but Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service said the dewpoint had reached a record high of 81.
"Hot temperatures and high humidity will increase the risk for heat-related illnesses to occur, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities," the National Weather Service Fort Worth office wrote in the advisory.
Homeless shelters have increased outreach to warn unsheltered people about the danger.
"We really see the heat and that oppressive humidity peak in the late afternoon hours, so we extend our hours to bring people inside during those times," OurCalling Director of Development Juliana Williams said.
OurCalling is a daytime outreach center that normally closes at 3 p.m. When the heat index is forecast to top 105 degrees, OurCalling stays open until 5.
"Our goal is really to help people walk with Jesus and get off the streets," Williams said. "We offer a lot of resources like meals, showers, on days like today, cold water, hats, and sunblock, but really, we want to help people long term."
She said outreach teams were going into camps to warn people. She said about 70% of homeless people have cell phones, so shelters will also send alerts to warn people about the heat.
"They're bringing cold water, they're bringing sunblock and hats, but they're really trying to help people get off the streets," Williams said.
OurCalling will decide each day whether to stay open until 5 p.m. each morning based on the day's forecast. The nonprofit is asking for donations of sunblock, hats, sunglasses, cooling neck wraps, snacks, and cases of bottled water. Those donations can be dropped off at OurCalling's facility at 1702 S. Cesar Chavez Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75215.
The organization is also taking financial donations. People can learn more at ourcalling.org/hot .
The nonprofit, Housing Forward, found 4,244 homeless people living in Dallas and Collin Counties this year. The organization said homelessness had dropped 4% from last year and unsheltered homelessness had dropped 14%.
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