HOUSTON — Cooling centers around the Houston area are open this weekend ahead of the dangerous heat.
The City of Houston on Thursday activated its Public Health Heat Emergency Plan ahead of the weekend. Fort Bend County listed its
The plan aims to provide resources for people who need a place to take cover from the heat. According to the KHOU 11 Weather team, the 'feels like' temperatures will get up to 105 degrees over the weekend.
People without access to air-conditioning will be able to seek shelter at any of the city's designated cooling centers, including the following:
Saturday, June 11
- Houston Public Library locations (All locations with the exception of McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood located at 7405 Stella Link Road, and Young Neighborhood Library, located at 5107 Griggs Road)
- Normal operating hours
- Houston Parks & Recreation Department Community Centers
- Normal operating hours
- Tidwell Community Center
- Extended hours from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- 9720 Spaulding St., Houston, TX 77016
- Hartman community Center
- Extended hours from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- 9311 E Avenue P, Houston, TX 77012
Sunday, June 12
- Houston Public Library Downtown
- From 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- 500 McKinney St., Houston, TX 77002
- Tidwell Community Center
- From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- 9720 Spaulding St., Houston, TX 77016
- Hartman Community Center
- From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- 9311 E Avenue P, Houston, TX 77012
- Acres Home Multi Service Center
- From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- 6719 W Montgomery Rd., Houston, TX 77091
- Southwest Multi Service Center
- From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- 6400 High Star Dr., Houston, TX 77074
If you need help getting transportation to a cooling center, the city asks that you call 311 to request a free ride from METRO. The free transportation is only intended for rides to and from cooling centers.
Fort Bend County
All cooling centers in Fort Bend county are free of charge and open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at most locations.
- Albert George Branch Library
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- 9230 Gene St., Needville TX 77461
- Bob Lutts Fulsher/Simonton Branch
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- 8100 FM 359 S, Fulshear, TX 77441
- George Memorial Library
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 1001 Golf View Dr., Richmond, TX 77469
- Missouri City Branch Library
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 1530 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, TX 77489
- Sienna Branch Library
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 84111 Sienna Springs Blvd., Missouri City, TX 77459
- University Branch Library
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 14010 University Blvd., Sugar Land, TX 77478
- Cinco Ranch Branch Library
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 2620 Commercial Center Blvd., Katy, TX 77494
- Sugar Land Branch Library
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 550 Eldridge Rd., Sugar Land, TX 77478
- First Colony Branch Library
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 2121 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479
- Mamie George Branch Library
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 320 Dulles Avenue, Stafford, TX 77477
- Mission Bend Branch Library
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 8421 Addicks Clodine Rd., Houston, TX 7083
- Mustang Community Center
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 4521 FM 521 Rd., Fresno, TX 77545
- Landmark Community Center
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 100 Louisiana St., Missouri City, TX 77489
The Houston Health Department is asking everyone to be safe from the heat. Below is guidance from them verbatim.
- Increase water consumption. Drink lots of liquids even before getting thirsty, but avoid beverages with caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar because these can result in the loss of body fluid.
- Conduct outdoor work or exercise in the early morning or evening when temperatures are not as high. Outdoor workers should drink plenty of water or electrolyte replacement beverages and take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned facility. People unaccustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment need to start slowly and gradually increase heat exposure over several weeks.
- Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration.
- Do not leave infants, children, senior citizens, or pets unattended in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are cracked open. Check to make sure everyone is out of the car and don’t overlook children who may have fallen asleep.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat to help prevent sunburn as well as heat-related illness. Apply sunscreen, which protects from the sun’s harmful rays and reduces the risk of sunburn.
- Seek accommodations in air-conditioned facilities during the heat of the day if the house is not air-conditioned: a relative’s home, multi-service centers, malls, movie theaters, libraries, etc.
- Take frequent cool baths or showers if your home is not air-conditioned.
According to the city's health department, symptoms of heat exhaustion include weakness, dizziness, excessive sweating, cool or moist skin, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps and a fast, weak pulse.
To counteract these symptoms, the Houston Health Department said you should try and lower your body temperature by getting to a cooler place, drinking water, taking a cool shower and resting.
Signs of heat stroke include a throbbing headache, red, hot and dry skin, extremely high body temperature, nausea or vomiting, confusion, loss of consciousness and a rapid, strong pulse.
If a person has these symptoms, the Houston Health Department said you should contact 911 immediately and try and lower the person's body temperature until help gets there.