Updated June 29, 3:08 p.m.
Several cooling centers are set to open in the Sacramento region through this weekend to help unhoused people and anyone without air conditioning escape what’s expected to be dangerously hot conditions.
The hottest temperatures should arrive Friday through Sunday, with many parts of the Sacramento Valley and foothills exceeding 100 degrees and some with a chance of hitting 110 degrees, the National Weather Service reported.
Temperatures are expected to remain in the high 90s on Monday before dropping to the low 90s on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sacramento County cooling centers:
The county is extending hours Thursday through Monday evening at two Department of Human Assistance (DHA) offices to serve as cooling centers, according to Janna Haynes, a county spokesperson.
They include the DHA Annex at 1725 28th St. in Midtown Sacramento and DHA Service Center at 5747 Watt Ave. in North Highlands.
On Thursday and Friday, both offices will open during their regular hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will extend hours for weather respite from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, they will open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Monday, they will open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended hours from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., according to the county.
Haynes said all community members are welcome. Pets must be on a leash or contained in an animal carrier at all times.
City of Sacramento cooling centers:
Meanwhile, the City of Sacramento is opening two cooling centers starting on Friday. The first is at the Outreach and Engagement Center at 3615 Auburn Blvd. The hours of operation will be from 2 p.m. to 7 a.m. each day starting Friday afternoon, ending at 7 a.m. on Monday. It has space for pets and belongings, the city said in a news release.
The second is the Sam & Bonnie Pannell Community Center at 2450 Meadowview Road. The center will open Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, according to the city. The center does not allow pets. Belongings will be limited to what visitors can carry with them.
People can use Sacramento RT light rail and buses to go to and from cooling center locations. To ride free, people must print out or show a screenshot of this SacRT Free Ride Flyer and present it to the bus operator upon boarding, or show light rail fare inspection staff upon request, according to the city.
Elk Grove cooling center:
Elk Grove’s cooling center will open at the Wackford Community Complex at 9014 Bruceville Road beginning on Friday. It will operate from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Sunday.
The center will be open to anyone who lacks shelter or adequate home cooling. A limited number of animal kennels will be available to house pets, if needed, according to the city.
The facilities, which officials also call respite centers, typically offer water, snacks, air conditioning and a place to charge electronic devices during the hottest part of the day. They are not full-service, overnight shelters.
Anyone looking to cool off can also use public libraries and community centers during their normal business hours.
Contact CapRadio reporter Chris Nichols at [email protected].
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