For Immediate Release
Cooling centers to open during high heat event this week
Santa Rosa, CA | July 01, 2024
SANTA ROSA, CA – Cooling centers, where residents can escape the heat, will be available at several locations in Sonoma County beginning Tuesday as the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management activates its extreme temperature response. The National Weather Service has issued a High Heat Warning as temperatures will reach triple digits in some parts of Sonoma County for six consecutive days beginning Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Temperatures in Cloverdale and Healdsburg are expected to reach as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures in coastal regions of the county are expected to reach as high as 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Santa Rosa can expect temperatures in the upper 90s with Tuesday and Friday peaking at the lower 100s.
In anticipation of the high temperatures, the County will activate pre-established agreements with local groups such as non-profits, libraries, and faith-based organizations to operate warming centers or cooling stations in unincorporated areas during the heat warning. Locations include:
- COTS Mary Isaak Center, Tuesday through Thursday, 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. located at 900 Hopper St., Petaluma
- Rohnert Park Community Center, Tuesday through Wednesday and Friday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. located at 5401 Snyder Lane
- Finley Community Center, Tuesday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. located at 2060 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa
- Senior Recreation Center Cooling Safe Haven, Tuesday to Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. located at 9231 Foxwood Dr., Windsor
- Healdsburg Senior Center, Tuesday to Wednesday, 11 a.m to 7 p.m., located at 133 Matheson St., Healdsburg
To see a complete list of the County cooling centers as well as those set by cities and community-based organizations, go to the socoemergency webpage.
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors last year approved an extreme weather response plan that would be activated when the following criteria was met:
- The National Weather Service issuing a Heat Risk Level 3 warning or greater for at least three consecutive days
- AND The National Weather Service issuing an Excessive Heat Warning
- And/or a forecast of high daytime temperatures accompanied with overnight low temperatures of at least 75 degrees or higher
- And/or The California Independent System Operator issuing an Energy Emergency Alert 2 or Alert 3 electrical emergency.
Cooling centers are air-conditioned public facilities where the public can go for relief during periods of extreme heat to prevent or reduce heat-related illness and stress. A complete list of cooling centers can be found at socoemergency.org/emergency/extreme-heat.
Excessive heat poses a significant health risk, particularly to the elderly, young children, pregnant women and those with chronic diseases. To protect yourself and your family when the weather is very hot, follow the tips found on socoemergency.org/get-ready/local-hazards/heat
For more information about keeping cool in the summer heat, visit the county emergency information website, socoemergency.org/emergency/extreme-heat or call 211. Updates on heat conditions are available from the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov.
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Media Contact:
Gilbert Martinez, Communications Specialist
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 565-3040
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