While weather watchers keep an eye on Death Valley for possible record heat, an Inyo County Cooling Center continues to operate in Tecopa and the Inyo Sheriff stood by to open centers in the Owens Valley if needed. At last word, people were holding their own in the blistering heat.

The world record for high temperature was set in Death Valley in 1913 at 134 degrees. Patty Thurber of Inyo County Health and Human Services is stationed at the Tecopa Community Center. She told us Sunday that the mercury had topped 126 degrees. Thurber said a few people had come to the Cooling Center, but most, she said, headed for Pahrump and the air conditioned casinos.

Last year, Tecopa reached 128 degrees. Thurber said a lot of people in the Death Valley towns are geared up for the intense heat. They stay inside during the day and venture out, sometimes, at night.

Staff from the Inyo Sheriff, Health and Human Services and Inyo Administration met last week when word went out that the temperatures were expected to soar. The big concern – possible power outages and/ or people without coolers or air conditions.

As of Sunday, the Inyo Sheriff had not received any calls from citizens in distress. Bishop Police had one case last week of an elderly woman walking who was overcome by heat. Nothing over the weekend. Authorities advise citizens to stay indoors where it is cool as much as possible and to stay hydrated.

Temperatures in the Owens Valley topped 110 degrees in places over the weekend. We will let you know if Cooling Centers are opened or any other details that may impact conditions.