TRI-CITIES, Wash. – With maximum temperatures forecasted to reach triple digits throughout the second week of July, health districts and local governments are opening cooling shelters across the region. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, heat is the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the United States.
For those looking to get out of the heat in the Tri-Cities, Mid-Columbia Library locations and the Columbia Center Mall will be open at their normal hours. In Prosser on Meade Avenue, Renz Farmers Insurance and Becky’s Coffee Corner offer a space with access to air conditioning.
In Yakima County, the Yakama Nation Library in Toppenish will be available during normal hours as well as all Yakima Valley Libraries locations. The Harman Center at 101 North 65th Avenue and the Washington Fruit Community Center at 602 N. 4th Street will also be available.
The Yakama Nation Environmental Program has cool misting stations set up at Yakamart and AAOA.
A Choosh Station will also be available at Toppenish Pioneer Park starting at 10 a.m., according to the Yakama Nation with bottled water, fruits and vegetables and more.
The Ellensburg Adult Activity Center at 506 South Pine Street, the Kittitas Valley Memorial Pool at 815 E 6th Avenue and the Ellensburg Public Library at 209 North Ruby Street are also available as cooling spots.
The Walla Walla County Department of Community Health announced a cooling center will be available at First Congregational Church, located at 73 South Palouse Street starting Friday, July 5 through Tuesday, July 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Washington’s 211 database offers an interactive map to search for cooling centers near you, as well as their addresses and phone numbers.
Follow these recommendations to stay cool and safe this summer:
Stay indoors and in an air-conditioned environment as much as possible.Drink plenty of fluids, water is best.Never leave any person or pet in a parked vehicle or outdoors without any protection from the sun for an extended period.Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when the sun is the hottest.Use sunscreen and wear loose lightweight, light-colored clothing.
The Red Cross also recommends:
Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, spend much of their time alone or are more likely to be affected by the heat.Those who don’t have air conditioning should seek relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day in places like schools, libraries, theaters, malls, etc…Check on animals frequently to ensure they are not suffering from the heat. Make sure they have plenty of cool water.
