HARTFORD, Conn. — Cities and towns opened cooling centers Tuesday for residents in need of relief as expected hot weather heads our way.
Forecasters anticipate temperatures will hit the 90s over the next few days as Connecticut could see its first heat wave of the year. Gov. Ned Lamont activated the state's extreme hot weather protocol Tuesday through Sunday.
East Hartford Mayor Mike Walsh said the city will have several spots ready for residents.
"East Hartford does have five outdoor pools, we'd love to host you. It's a great way to cool off, a great way to stay hydrated but we also have some cooling centers: we use our public safety complex on school street, number two our senior center, and then finally our public library,” he said.
Over in Vernon, the town is extending its pool hours until 8 p.m. through Sunday to help locals beat the heat.
To stay safe in extreme heat, stay hydrated, wear lightweight clothing and bring pets indoors. Also, keep an eye on infants and children and check on your neighbors who may be at greater risk for heat-related illness.
"Watch for signs like dizziness,” Walsh said. “In the event that you believe you're suffering from some type of heat-related illness, your best course of action is to call 911.
For more information regarding cooling centers, call 211, or visit 211ct.org.
COOLING CENTERS & FACILITIES:
EAST HARTFORD:
• The East Hartford Public Safety Complex Lobby at 31 School Street is open 24/7.
• East Hartford Public Library at 840 Main Street is open Monday and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday- Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• East Hartford Senior Center at 15 Milbrook Drive is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
HAMDEN:
- Hamden Government Center and Keefe Community Center: Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Miller Memorial Library, 2901 Dixwell Avenue. Monday & Tuesday: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday: 12 p.m.-5 p.m., Thursday – Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Whitneyville Branch Library, 125 Carleton Street. Monday – Wednesday: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. & 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Thursday: 12 p.m. -8 p.m.
- Brundage Community Branch Library, 91 Circular Avenue. Monday & Tuesday: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. & 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday: 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Thursday: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. & 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Hamden Police Department Lobby, 2900 Dixwell Avenue. Always Available.
HARTFORD:
- Hartford Public Library's Albany, Barbour, Campfield, Dwight and Park Street branches will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Hartford Public Library's Downtown branch at 500 Main Street is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The North End and South End senior centers, on 80 Coventry St. and 830 Maple Ave. respectively, will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The city's fire department will also be handing out water.
MIDDLETOWN:
The lobby of the Middletown Police Department, 222 Main Street, which is open 24 hours a day, will be available to serve as a cooling station.
Russell Library on Broad Street. Russell Library business hours are as follows Monday through Thursday: 9AM – 8PM, Friday and Saturday: 9AM – 5 PM
Middletown Senior Center on Durant Terrace during business hours Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
City Hall lobby is also available Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Check with these facilities prior to travel.
The City of Middletown will also be opening fire hydrant sprinklers at designated times and locations. The sprinklers are expected to be opened Saturday and Sunday and will be at the following locations:
- The Highlands Crescent Drive bus stop from 12 P.M. – 6 P.M.
- Julia Terrace from 12 P.M – 6 P.M.
- Maplewood Terrace from 12 P.M. – 6 P.M.
- Summer Hill Road and Woodbury Circle from 12 P.M. – 6 P.M.
- Macdonough School from 12 P.M - 8 P.M.
- Santangelo Circle from 12 P.M. – 8 P.M.
NEW HAVEN:
The City’s senior centers will serve as cooling centers for the elderly until 4 p.m.:
- Atwater Senior Center (26 Atwater Street)
- Dixwell / Newhallville Senior Center (197 Dixwell Avenue)
- East Shore Senior Center (411 Townsend Avenue)
Elderly residents are reminded that the city’s senior centers require 24-hour notice to make meal reservations.
All branches of the New Haven Free Public Library will also serve as cooling centers for the general public:
- Ives Main Library (133 Elm Street): Open Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Fair Haven Branch (182 Grand Avenue): Open Monday and Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday noon – 6:00 p.m., Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Mitchell Branch (37 Harrison Street): Open Monday noon – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Stetson Branch (197 Dixwell Avenue): Open Monday and Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Wednesday noon – 8:00 p.m., Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Wilson Branch (303 Washington Avenue): Open Monday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Tuesday noon – 8:00, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
NEW LONDON:
• New London Public Library, 63 Huntington Street open 9:30 a.m. till 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Friday, and 9:30 a.m. through 1 p.m. on Saturday.
VERNON:
• Community Pool at 375 Hartford Turnpike is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., extended hours: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, through Sunday, July 24.
WEST HAVEN:
Cooling Center Open at Main Library, 300 Elm St. through Friday
Elisha Machado is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at emachado@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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