Local governments are moving to open cooling centers ahead of forecasted triple-digit heat in Sacramento this weekend.
The centers offer cool, air-conditioned spaces to unhoused individuals and others seeking respite from the heat.
Meteorologists with the National Weather Service are predicting temperatures of 99 and 105 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The weather service is also warning of widespread moderate heat risk for much of northern California this weekend, and suggest that people spend time indoors during the hottest portions of the day.
Sacramento Regional Transit District is offering free rides to and from these cooling centers. In order to qualify for a free fare, riders must present this flier to fare collectors. To find a route to a cooling center, SacRT offers a trip planning tool.
City of Sacramento
The City of Sacramento is opening both the Outreach and Engagement Center and the Sam & Bonnie Pannell Community Center as respite centers this weekend.
The Outreach and Engagement Center, located at 3615 Auburn Blvd., will be open from 2 p.m. to 7 a.m. starting Saturday and ending on Tuesday morning. The center can provide shelter to up to 50 people, and allows pets. It also will provide snacks and space to store personal belongings.
The Sam & Bonnie Pannell Community Center, located at 2450 Meadowview Road, will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday through Monday. The center does not accept pets, but will provide snacks and limited space to store belongings.
Both centers will offer water and spaces to charge electronic devices.
Earlier this week, Sacramento City Council members voted to expand criteria for opening “weather respite centers” beyond hot and cold temperatures. The criteria now includes “any National Weather Service extreme weather events, including (but not limited to) wind, flood, or rain events,” according to a city staff report.
“The City will continue to monitor the NWS’s forecast and extend weather-respite operations as needed,” officials said in a news release on Friday. “The City will also monitor capacity at the [Outreach and Engagement Center] to determine if other activations are necessary.”
Sacramento County
Sacramento County is opening three Department of Human Assistant offices as cooling center locations:
- 1725 28th Street, Sacramento
- 5747 Watt Avenue, North Highlands
- 2450 Florin Road, Sacramento
All offices will operate as cooling centers Saturday through Monday. On Saturday and Sunday, the offices will be open between 2 and 8 p.m. On Monday, the offices will be open for business (and available for the public to use for cooling) between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and the lobbies will remain open between 4 and 8 p.m. for those seeking respite from the heat.
Pets are welcome at all three locations, but must remain on a leash or in a carrier at all times.
City of Elk Grove
The city of Elk Grove is opening a cooling center out of its police department office lobby, located at 8400 Laguna Palms Way. The lobby will be open to those seeking respite between noon and 8 p.m. Saturday through Monday.
A limited number of animal kennels will be available for those interested in bringing pets.
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