Sonoma County opens cooling centers for high heat warning this week

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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 nonprofits, libraries, and faith-based organizations to operate cooling centers in unincorporated areas during the heat warning. Locations include:

• Geyserville Park & Ride, Geyserville Road just North of Highway 128, Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.
• Russian River Senior Center, 15010 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville, Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.
• El Verano Elementary School Gym, 18606 Riverside Drive, Sonoma, Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.

In addition, Sonoma County cities or partner agencies have announced the opening of cooling centers in the following locations:

• 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 
• Senior Recreation Center Cooling Safe Haven, Tuesday to Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 8 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
• Finley Community Center, Tuesday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. located at 2060 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa

The City of Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks Department also is offering residents opportunities to escape the heat at  air-conditioned lobbies, two swim centers, and a spray ground in downtown Santa Rosa. The locations and hours of operation are as follows:

Finley Community Center, Person Senior Wing, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 2060 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa

• Ridgway Swim Center, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 455 Ridgway Ave., Santa Rosa
• Spray Ground at Prince Gateway Park , 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 171 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa
• Steele Lane Community Center, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (closed July 4th), 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 415 Steele Lane, Santa Rosa

To see a complete list of County cooling centers as well as those operated by cities and community-based organizations, go to the SoCoEmergency.org cooling center webpage. Also check this site for any changes to the operating hours.

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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