Cooling centers in Houston open during Juneteenth as heat emergency continues: list

HOUSTON - Despite the celebration-filled weekend, Houston's weather has been uncooperative, to say the least. 

The week leading into Father's Day and Juneteenth Weekend, the City of Houston activated its emergency heat plan to help residents cool off. 

According to a press release, Houston often activates the plan when the heat index is expected to reach 108 degrees on two consecutive days. And our heat index values temperatures ranged between 108 and 114 starting Thursday and into the weekend.

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"Right now, we have dangerous heat for everyone, even strong, young, healthy people. They can suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke," said Porfirio Villareal, a spokesperson with the Houston Health Dept. "It's also important for vulnerable people like the elderly, kids under the age of four, and people with chronic illness -- they really need to take right refuge from the heat."

Here is a list of city buildings designated as cooling centers for Sunday and Monday. These locations will also extend their normal hours and stay open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Residents can also request transportation to a cooling center by calling 311 if they do not have adequate transportation. 

• Tidwell Community Center, 9720 Spaulding St.
• Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 W. Gray St.
• Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery Rd.
• Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center, 4410 Reed Rd.
• Central Library, 500 McKinney St.

As a result, all city libraries, as well as multiservice centers, served as cooling centers during the weekdays. Meanwhile, only a select number will remain open Sunday and Monday during Juneteenth. 

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"We all know Houston sometimes can be uncomfortably hot in the summer. I want everyone to understand this forecast calls for heat and humidity that is dangerous and potentially deadly for some of our vulnerable Houstonians. I encourage people to turn on their home's air conditioners or seek relief at one of our cooling centers. Houstonians should also check on their family members who may need assistance," Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a statement. 'I want to thank all of our city departments and partners, who are working to activate the heat emergency plan and open the cooling centers."

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Experts suggest drinking plenty of water and staying indoors as much as possible, particularly during the hottest hours of the day between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., to avoid suffering from heat-related illnesses. 

Those dealing with air conditioning issues are urged to utilize the cooling centers available or take a cold shower. 

"If they're sitting at home and they're suffering, the best thing to do is just go take a cool shower, you know, a couple of times a day, and your body will help cool down," Villareal said.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include weakness, dizziness, excessive sweating, cool or moist skin, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, and a fast and weak pulse. People experiencing these symptoms should lower their body temperature by getting to a cooler place, drinking water, taking a cool shower or bath, and resting. 

A throbbing headache, red, hot, and dry skin (no longer sweating), extremely high body temperature (above 103°), nausea or vomiting, confusion, loss of consciousness and a rapid, strong pulse are signs of heat stroke. If these symptoms occur, call 9-1-1 immediately and try to lower the person’s body temperature until help arrives.

The Houston Health Department also recommends people:

• 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.