Updated July 14, 3:23 p.m.
City halls, libraries and even police station lobbies are opening as cooling centers across the Sacramento region this weekend, as more dangerously hot weather arrives.
The facilities are open to unhoused residents and anyone who needs to escape the heat.
At their peak, temperatures will likely reach or exceed 110 degrees in the northern part of the Sacramento Valley, according to the National Weather Service. Saturday and Sunday are expected to be the hottest days, though temperatures will remain near 100 degrees on Monday and Tuesday.
Sacramento County cooling centers
In advance of the extreme heat, the county is extending hours Thursday through Sunday evening at three Department of Human Assistance (DHA) offices to serve as cooling centers, according to a news release.
They include the DHA Annex at 1725 28th St. in Midtown Sacramento, the DHA Service Center at 5747 Watt Ave. in North Highlands and the DHA office at 2450 Florin Road in South Sacramento.
On Thursday and Friday, the three 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., according to the county.
County officials 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. in northeast Sacramento. 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 and offers water, snacks and device recharging, 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 12 p.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.
The public can also use the city’s air-conditioned libraries, community centers, spray parks and pools as places to cool off during regular business hours.
Also in Sacramento, La Familia’s Maple Neighborhood Center is opening as a cooling center at 3301 37th Ave. It will operate from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. It accepts pets.
Rancho Cordova
Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Dr., will open as a cooling center from noon to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. It allows service animals but does not accept pets.
Citrus Heights
The Citrus Heights Police Station Lobby, at 6315 Fountain Square Dr., will open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Monday, if the high temperature exceeds 100 degrees. It allows service animals but does not accept pets.
Galt
The Galt Police Station Lobby, at 455 Industrial Dr., is opening as a cooling center. It will operate from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Monday. It accepts pets.
Folsom
The Folsom Public Library, at 411 Stafford St., will open as a cooling center from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday through Monday. It accepts pets.
Elk Grove cooling center
Elk Grove’s cooling center will open at the Wackford Community Complex at 9014 Bruceville Road beginning Friday. It will operate from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Monday.
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.
The website 211sacramento.org includes a map of cooling centers across the Sacramento region.
Contact CapRadio reporter Chris Nichols at [email protected].
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