The nearly three-week heat wave has claimed another victim.
St. Louis City officials announced today that 90-year-old Earline Walker died July 24 at her home on Semple Ave. Window air-conditioning units were blowing hot air when her family found her body that morning.
Semple is the sixth confirmed victim in the city. As of July 29, there were 14 heat-related deaths in the St. Louis region.
The city is urging family and friends to check on neighbors and relatives and make sure that air conditioning units are working properly. Cooling centers are open for residents who do not have air conditioning, and assistance is available for individuals worried about paying utility bills - contact the United Way at 1-800-427-4626 or 211 if calling from a land line phone. Assistance can also be obtained by contacting Cool Down St. Louis at 241-7668.
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to moderate slightly toward the end of the week.
