Cooling center activations to offer residents relief during forecast High Risk Heat events

The City of Santa Rosa will activate two cooling centers on Monday and Tuesday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. The National Weather Service (NWS) has forecast an extended heat wave through the middle of next week for Sonoma County, including Santa Rosa where the hottest temperatures are forecast for Monday and Tuesday with temperatures expected to peak at 99 and 102 degrees respectively. The NWS considers both Monday and Tuesday’s forecasts to be high risk heat events for the area, and the City-operated cooling centers are being activated to offer residents a place for relief during the heightened conditions.

Cooling centers will be located at the following locations:

• Rincon Valley Library – 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa
  Cooling area will be in the Library’s Community Center Room. Food will NOT be permitted.
  
  
• Salvation Army Senior Center –115 Pierce Street
  Cooling area will be in the Center’s multipurpose room. Food will be allowed, but will not be provided, and kitchen access will not be available. Residents may bring food that is ready to eat.

To adhere to public health order guidelines, face coverings must be worn inside the cooling centers, and cooling center visitors must maintain six feet of physical distance between themselves and visitors from other households. Additionally, wellness screenings, including temperature checks, will be required at the door upon entry. Visitors must stay within the space designated as the cooling center area at each site except to use restrooms.  Face coverings and hand sanitizer will be available on site for those that do not bring their own.

Residents planning to visit either City-operated cooling center site should plan ahead for their visit. Books, games, and laptops are allowed. For the experience of all residents, please bring and use headphones for listening. Free WiFi is available, but no broadcast television, and the ability to charge devices may be limited. Due to space limitations, please limit your personal items to one small tote and daypack per person. Only service animals will be permitted inside of the cooling center. Please note that the City of Santa Rosa is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Residents should be mindful of the heat and follow these safety tips:

• Never leave children, seniors or pets in a parked car during periods of intense summer heat.
• If possible, stay out of the sun and in air-conditioned areas.
• Drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool.
• Check on seniors and those most susceptible to heat impacts.
• Take extra care for pets, crops and livestock.
• Watch for hot pavement when walking dogs.

The City of Santa Rosa will continue to monitor conditions through the week to determine if cooling centers will be needed for additional days beyond Monday and Tuesday.

To learn more about weather alerts, emergency preparedness, and to follow ongoing emergency information updates from the City of Santa Rosa, please visit www.srcity.org/emergency. 

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