HEALTH: CITY OF HOUSTON ACTIVATES HEAT EMERGENCY PLAN

from Houston Style Magazine Vol 34 No 25

Meet Mayoral Candidate – Gilbert Garcia

LIBRARIES, COMMUNITY CENTERS, AND MULTI-SERVICE CENTERS WERE MADE AVAILABLE AS COOLING CENTERS FOR PEOPLE TO SEEK REFUGE FROM THE SCORCHING HEAT.

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

days, all City of Houston libraries and multi-service centers served as cooling centers during their regular business hours. Community centers operated by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department opened to the public once daily programming for enrolled participants concluded.

Individuals with disabilities, limited access, or specific functional needs had the option to visit the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center located at 1475 W. Gray Street, although all city sites welcomed everyone.

"Houston is known to experience uncomfortably hot summers.

I want everyone to understand that this forecast indicates dangerous and potentially fatal heat and humidity for some of our vulnerable Houstonians.

air-conditioning were able to find shelter at designated city buildings serving as cooling centers during the heat emergency. These locations extended their normal hours and remained open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 18, and Monday, June 19 (City of Houston Juneteenth holiday).

The designated cooling centers included:

Tidwell Community Center, located at 9720 Spaulding St. Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, located at 1475 W. Gray St.

Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, located at 6719 W. Montgomery Rd.

Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center, located at 4410 Reed Rd.

The plan was put into action when the heat index, which calculates air temperature and humidity, reached 108 on two consecutive days. The forecast predicted heat index values ranging from 108 to 114 starting Thursday and continuing throughout the weekend.

During weekdays and Satur-

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 require assistance," Mayor Sylvester Turner stated. "I would like to express my gratitude to all our city departments and partners who have worked to activate the heat emergency plan and open the cooling centers."

Individuals without access to

Central Library, located at 500 McKinney St.

For individuals who lacked transportation to reach a designated cooling center, they could call 3-1-1 to request a free ride from METRO or zTrip.