There is nothing “cool” about summers in Texas, but local municipalities are helping residents beat the heat by opening cooling centers across the metroplex.
The City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management has published a list of more than 80 locations, including libraries, transit centers, and recreation centers, where area residents can go to get out of the heat and cool off. The libraries and recreation centers are open during regular business hours, while the transit centers have extended hours and are also open on Sundays.
In addition, Reliant Energy has teamed up with the City to operate cooling centers at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center at 2922 MLK, Jr. Blvd. and the West Dallas Multipurpose Center at 2828 Fish Trap Rd.
Residents can contact either of these facilities to request a portable AC cooler or a window AC unit at taxpayers’ expense, but supplies are limited.
“Cooling centers and distribution of portable ACs could play a crucial role of relief for Dallas residents dealing with summer heat,” said Jennifer Brown, interim assistant director at the City of Dallas, per KERA News.
The City of Fort Worth has launched the Heat Heroes for the Homeless initiative to combat summer heat-related deaths, according to the city’s website.
The website states, “The initiative focuses on providing extra resources and education to those most vulnerable to extreme heat.”
It lists seven cooling centers that are open during the hottest part of the day, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day through September 16.
Fort Worth libraries and community centers will also be open during regular business hours to offer a cool respite. As WFAA reported, the staff at these locations have been trained to identify and respond to signs of heat-related conditions.
Two non-profit organizations in Arlington, the Salvation Army and Arlington Life Shelter, are offering resources during daytime hours, WFAA reported. Also, all public libraries in Arlington are available as cooling centers during regular business hours, offering water fountains and seating in an air-conditioned environment.
Many other cities across the metroplex are spotlighting their libraries, recreation centers, and community centers as taxpayer-funded cooling stations. Check your local city’s website for locations and operating hours.
Extended exposure to hot temperatures can pose a real danger of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, particularly for young children, the elderly, and people who are chronically ill. Heat is the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Last year, more than 300 deaths in Texas were attributed to heat-related illnesses, KERA reported.
The KnoWhat2Do website describes the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and offers safety tips on addressing these conditions.
This weekend will provide a good opportunity to practice hot-weather safety measures. The weather outlook in the metroplex includes sunny conditions, with high temperatures in the mid to upper 90s and heat indexes above 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.