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City of Houston activates Public Health Heat Emergency Plan
A heat advisory is headed to Houston and cooling Centers will be opening for those in need. FOX 26’s Damali Keith shares more.
HOUSTON - The heat is on - literally, and the City of Houston announced its emergency plan would be activated for residents needing to take refuge from the extreme weather.
RELATED: Heat waves set records with more hot days ahead for the Houston area
Texas temperatures can be brutal this time of year. Sure, 'heat and Houston' certainly aren't a rookie team, but residents know first hand the two can be punishing when they partner.
"It’s not something that we’re not used to, but it’s something that we have to deal with here," says Houstonian Gerry McGee. "I don’t always run my air conditioning because the bill goes high. I do try to keep the thermostat at a moderate rate."
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Extreme heat taking over southeast Texas
A very hot weekend is on the way in southeast Texas, we will likely see a heat advisory for triple-digit feels-like values from Friday through Sunday. Take it easy out there, especially during peak heating of the day. Rain chances remain fairly non-existent for the extended period, with only very isolated showers at best. Not much changes heading into next week, aside from a slight decrease in temperatures and an increase in gulf breezes as this building area of high pressure slides off to our east.
The heat index, according to the National Weather Service, is predicted to surpass 105 through the weekend. That's why the City announced it would be activating its Public Health Heat Emergency Plan to provide resources for residents without air-conditioning.
MORE: May 2022 gave the Houston area hot temperatures, it may stay that way through June
"The City of Houston has activated its Heat Emergency Plan. What that means is we have cooling centers. City buildings are designated as places to go to take refuge from the heat," explains Porfirio Villareal with the Houston Health Department. "It’s important to have refuge from the heat because this weekend we’ll have extreme heat and people who may not have air conditioning it’s going to be dangerous for them."
RELATED: Houston Health Department offering tips for hot weather week ahead
"Everyone can’t pay a high light bill. It’s just impossible," says Houston resident Oliver Roberts. "With gas and food prices we’re in hard times right now. I leave my AC at 75. Sometimes I go up there and look at the thermostat, and it says 85, but I just leave it at 75. Eventually throughout the night it comes back down to 75."
Residents are encouraged to call 311 for more information on these cooling centers and even request a free ride from METRO transportation to and from a center.
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How you can protect yourself during the Houston heat wave
FOX 26 Anchor Rashi Vats explains how you should take care of yourself if you have to be out and about this week in the Houston heat.
High-risk groups such as adults over the age of 55, children under 4, as well as those with chronic health conditions or who are either overweight or take certain medications are encouraged to stay in air-conditioned buildings between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., which is the hottest part of the day.
Here is a list of city buildings designated as cooling centers residents may turn to:
Saturday, June 11, 2022:
Houston Public Libraries (All locations)
Normal operating hours
Houston Parks & Recreation Department - Community Centers
Normal operating hours
Tidwell Community Center (with extended hours)
9720 Spaulding St., Houston, TX 77016
Hours: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Hartman Community Center (with extended hours)
9311 E Avenue P, Houston, TX 77012
Hours: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 12, 2022:
Houston Public Libraries (All locations)
Normal operating hours
Tidwell Community Center (with extended hours)
9720 Spaulding St., Houston, TX 77016
Hours: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Hartman Community Center (with extended hours)
9311 E Avenue P, Houston, TX 77012
Hours: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Acres Home Multi Service Center
6719 W Montgomery Rd., Houston, TX 77091
Hours: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Southwest Multi Service Center
6400 High Star Dr., Houston, TX 77074
Hours: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Residents may also seek air-conditioning at multi-service centers, libraries, and recreation centers during regular business hours, even when the Public Health Heat Emergency Plan is not activated.
The Houston Health Department also shared other tips and precautions residents may follow to protect themselves from the extreme heat including:
- Increase water consumption. Drink lots of liquids 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.
- 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.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat to help prevent sunburn as well as heat-related illness. Apply sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays and reduce the risk of sunburn.
- Seek accommodations in air-conditioned facilities during the heat of the day if the house is not air-conditioned.
- Take frequent cool baths or showers if your home is not air-conditioned.