Those who work, live outside coping with the heat

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Temperatures approaching the century mark are here to stay across Oklahoma, at least for a while. <br/><br/>National Weather Service meteorologist Doug Speheger says temperatures in

Thursday, July 21st 2005, 6:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Temperatures approaching the century mark are here to stay across Oklahoma, at least for a while.

National Weather Service meteorologist Doug Speheger says temperatures in the upper 90s and low 100s are typical for this time of year. He says the heat will continue to build into the state for the next several days.

That's not the best of news for people who work or even live outdoors.

Humberto Aguirre is part of a road crew doing a safety improvement project on Interstate 40 in west Oklahoma City.

He and others were doing some concrete finishing work yesterday when a nearby heat gauge hit 98 degrees. Aguirre says he's used to the heat and drinks plenty of water.

At the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless, executive director Sandra Lewis says 500 people come into the facility daily on average. Lewis says that number has increased by about 25 a day since the onset of the extreme heat.