Bay Area Counties Open Cooling Centers As Heatwave Continues

Excessive heat warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service
Photo credit NWS Bay Area

Excessive heat warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service across the Bay Area, prompting counties to open cooling centers in an effort to aid residents looking to escape the heat. 

Marin County opened cooling centers throughout the community on Saturday.

They’re set to be open early to mid-afternoon, when temperatures are expected to reach their peak, said Woody Baker-Cohn, Emergency Services Coordinator for Marin County. 

.@MarinHHS is opening a cooling center Aug 15-18 (3pm - 7pm) for older adults who cannot stay cool at home.Marin HHS is warning everyone to be on the lookout for symptoms of heat related illnesses and offering tips to stay cool. DETAILS: https://t.co/CyOVurHCUj pic.twitter.com/tjXBRidrEW

— Marin County (@maringov) August 15, 2020

Baker-Cohn told KCBS Radio that the centers will be open for residents who are at high risk of health complications due to the heat. 

The use of face coverings and physical distancing will be required, according to the county. 

Santa Clara County has also opened cooling centers in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on how to do so safely during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Residents can cool off at centers in San Jose, Cupertino, Mountain View, Campbell, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Morgan Hill and Gilroy. 

To help with the search for heat relief, PG&E has published “Find a Cooling Center Location.” 

The NWS’s excessive heat warnings are expected to continue into next week. 

Pandemic Leaves People With Few Places To Cool Off, As Temperatures Rise