Sweltering Heat Boils Tennessee Valley

If you went outside today the heat probably hit you like a slap in the face.

Many people in the Tennessee Valley are seeking relief with the sun striking down like the tip of a match.

We found families like David Black's at Coolidge park trying to cool off.

"Unbelievable it turned unbelievably hot so quickly," Black says. "It's just a great way to beat the heat and I had the day off from work and bring the family out and be active."

"It's hot, we came from Whitwell so it's very hot," Gail McCormick says.

You would think that Michelle Walder and her family would be used to heat - they're from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and just passing through Chattanooga on vacation.

"It's hot if not hotter here then it is down near us," Walder says.

While a lot of people decided to go to Coolidge Park to cool off, some people can't cool off when they want to.

The Salvation Army's air conditioning units are working hard with temperatures hitting in the mid nineties.

"The heat will get anybody down if you stay out in it long enough," Paul Champagne, who used to be homeless, says.

And that's why Will Hale with the Salvation Army says they're implementing their Beat the Heat program a little early this year.

"During the summer when the heat index really rises and typically it's July though now it's so hot we decided to push it up to June we pass out fans," Hale says.

They're also opening their day shelter up to anyone who needs relief.

"We're going to have in these temperatures we're going to fill these (pointing to a cooler) of course with ice water and we'll have bottled water on hand for people to take if they're traveling," Hale says.

If you'd like to donate or pick a fan up from the Salvation Army you can call them directly at (423) 756 1023. You can also drop by the facility on 800 McCallie Avenue. They've also told us people can donate window ac units or money.