(June 26, 2009)—Afternoon highs or 100 degrees or more are possible Saturday and again on Sunday in Central Texas, but after the sizzling weekend, the forecast holds out at least a slight chance of relief.

A weak cold front is expected to move through the area Sunday night and Monday and it could touch off some isolated showers.

Monday’s forecast calls for highs in the mid 90s, which may seem almost cool after a week of searing heat.

In the meantime, a heat advisory remains in effect for much of the region through Saturday as the state continues to bake under a high-pressure bubble.

Residents of the area of Temple west of Highway 317 were under a stage-5 water conservation order Friday evening after a pump station failure that reduced the capacity to keep the elevated tanks that serve that portion of the city filled.

City Manager David Blackburn said a valve failed at around 2 a.m. at the pump station.

As a result, the tanks that serve the western portions of the city were not refilled as water was used.

The order bars any outside water use including yard watering and car washing.

About 2,200 homes are affected, the city said.

Residents who ignore the restrictions could be cited, Blackburn said.

The order will remain in effect at least until Monday in order to allow the tanks to refill.

And in Bartlett, a boil order was issued Friday after a water main break that left the entire community without water for a short period of time.

The order remains in effect until routine tests confirm that the water is free of contaminants.

The heat poses a health threat, particularly to the very young, the elderly and the chronically ill, and area paramedics have responded to a number of heat-related calls in the last several days.

Health officials advise residents to try to stay in air-conditioned areas.

Those whose homes aren’t air-conditioned may want to spend the hottest part of the day in such public places as malls, recreation centers or libraries.

Experts say those without air conditioning should close window shades and use cross-ventilation and fans to cool rooms, however they say electric fans won’t prevent heat-related illnesses once the temperature reaches 90 degrees.

Officials are also urging Central Texas residents to check regularly on neighbors who are ill or elderly.

Caritas of Waco has launched its annual fan drive to provide fans to low-income families who don’t have air conditioning.

The help-organization is collecting new or used fans as well as cash donations with which new fans will be purchased.

"Caritas clients will be benefitted by the donation, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped someone deal with an uncomfortable, sometimes dangerous, situation in a very real way," said Buddy Edwards, the agency’s executive director.

Fans may be dropped off at Caritas at 300 S. 15th St. in Waco.

For information, call Caritas at (254) 753-4593.