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Heat wave plagues Missouri, Illinois

By Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio

Jefferson City, Mo. – Heat warnings and advisories have been issued across Missouri and Illinois as temperatures this afternoon hover in the upper 90's and low 100's.

Missouri health officials are telling residents who don't have air conditioning at home to go to places that do, such as libraries and shopping centers.

In Jefferson City, poll supervisor Dick Crater says voters can avoid the heat by hanging around after casting ballots.

"Well, most polling places are air-conditioned, but this place is not, but they are welcome to stay here if they want in the National Guard Armory here," Crater said.

Still, it was much cooler inside the armory than it was outdoors.

Health officials in Kansas City, meanwhile, are investigating three deaths as possibly being heat-related.

Kit Wagar is with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

"If you start to feel dizzy, or start to sort of forget where you are or why you were going somewhere, that could be a sign that your body is sort of trying to react to the heat," Wagar said.

Other symptoms include very heavy sweating, a pale complexion, headaches, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.

The Department of Health has a list of cooling centers across Missouri. They can be found on the agency's website: dhss.mo.gov.

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