City of New Orleans Announces Overnight Cooling Center & Heat Relief Resources for the Weekend

NEW ORLEANS — The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an Excessive Heat Warning in the New Orleans area for Thursday, June 29 and Friday, June 30 from 10 A.M. until 8 P.M.   The weather forecast indicates that high humidity levels will result in heat index values – that is, temperatures that “feel like” – up to 120 degrees on Thursday and Friday.  Dangerously hot temperatures likely to continue through the remainder of the week, possibly through Tuesday, July 4.

These hot temperatures can become life-threatening if the proper precautions are not taken. The combination of afternoon heat index readings of 115-120 degrees and evening lows remaining in the 80’s will provide little if any relief for the body to cool for those without access to air conditioning or cooling centers.  Residents can visit weatherwise.nola.gov to find localized updates on weather conditions when considering outdoor activities.

The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) and New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) are coordinating the use of the Rosenwald Annex Building (1120 S Broad St) as an “overnight cooling center” starting on Thursday, June 29 at 6:30 p.m. for unhoused residents. Additionally, NOHSEP and NORD are coordinating the use of several NORDC facilities as daytime cooling centers, particularly for Sunday, July 2.

The public is asked to call the City’s non-emergency number, 3-1-1, to report someone in need of shelter during the excessive heat warning period.

The Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services and Strategies (OHSS) will monitor the overnight cooling center nightly capacity and work with the New Orleans Health Department (NOHD), New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Homeless Unit, Unity of Greater New Orleans, Traveler’s Aid and the New Orleans Mission outreach teams to encourage homeless individuals to utilize the “overnight cooling center.” Transportation will be provided if needed.  

As of June 29, the following locations will be available to the public over the weekend:

• All New Orleans Public Library locations are open Friday – Saturday, 10 A.M. - 5 P.M., except for Rosa Keller Library and Milton Latter Library due to facility maintenance.
• Arthur Monday Community Center is open Monday - Friday, 7 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (1111 Newton Street, Suite 101)
• Carrollton-Hollygrove Senior Center is open Monday - Friday, 8 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (3300 Hamilton St)
• Algiers Courthouse is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 A.M. - 2:45 P.M. (225 Morgan Street, Room 209)
• Louisiana SPCA is open Monday - Saturday, 12 P.M. - 7 P.M. (1700 Mardi Gras Blvd)
• OHL Sobering Center is open 24/7 (732 N Claiborne Ave)
• New Orleans East Opportunity Center is open on Friday, June 30, 10 A.M. – 5 P.M. (12000 Hayne Blvd)
• VOTE Headquarters is open Friday, June 30 – Monday, July 3, 10 A.M. – 6 P.M. (4930 Washington Ave, Suite A)
• New Philippians Missionary Baptist Church is open Saturday, July 1 - Sunday, July 2, 10 A.M. - 2 P.M. (5234 N Claiborne Ave)
• NORDC Aquatics will be open on Friday, June 30 from 2 P.M. – 6 P.M. and Saturday, July 1 from 9 A.M. – 2 P.M. as follows:
  • Sanchez Center Pool, 1616 Fats Domino Ave
  • Stallings Gentilly Pool, 2700 Lapeyrouse St
  • Treme Pool, 900 N. Villere St
  • Lyons Pool, 624 Louisiana Ave
  • Federal City Pool on Naval Base, 2220 Constitution St
  • Rosenwald Pool, 1120 N. Broad St
  • Pradat Pool, 7200 Dreux Ave
  • Joe Brown Pool, 5620 Read Blvd
• NORDC locations are open as follows:
  • FRIDAY, JUNE 30, location hours vary
    • Rosenwald “Annex” Senior Building is open Monday - Friday, 9 A.M. – 7 P.M. (1120 S. Broad St)
    • NORD Annunciation Center is open Monday – Friday, 9 A.M. – 5 P.M. (800 Race St)
    • Desire-Florida Multi-Purpose Recreation Center is open Monday-Friday, 9 A.M. – 7 P.M. (3250 Industry St)
  • SATURDAY, JULY 1, locations are open 9 A.M. – 6 P.M.
    • Rosenwald Recreation Center, 1120 S. Broad St
    • Lyons Recreation Center, 624 Louisiana Ave
    • Stallings Recreation Center, 4300 St. Claude Ave
    • Gernon Brown Recreation Center, 1001 Harrison Ave
    • Morris FX Jeff Park, 2529 General Meyer Ave
  • SUNDAY, JULY 2, locations are open 10 A.M. – 6 P.M.
    • Rosenwald Recreation Center, 1120 S. Broad St
    • Milne Recreation Center, 5420 Franklin Ave
    • Cutoff Recreation Center, 6600 Belgrade St
    • Joe Brown Recreation Center, 5620 Read Blvd

SAFETY TIPS

Residents are advised to take the following precautions to prevent health emergencies due to overexposure to extreme heat:

People Over Age 65 Are At Higher Risk For Heat Related Illness

• Stay in air-conditioned spaces. 
• Wear light, loose fitting clothing made from breathable materials. 
• Take cool showers.
• Keep your windows covered. 
• Rest.
• Stay in contact with loved ones.
• Seek medical care immediately if you begin showing symptoms of heat related illness.  

How To Help An Older Adult In The Heat 

• Know what medications they take, and check if they can increase risk for heat related illness.  
• Check in with them regularly, making sure they are somewhere cool and are staying hydrated.
• Place fans close to walls to reduce risk of tripping over wires or extension cords.
• Get medical care for them if they begin showing symptoms of heat-related illness. 

How To Help Someone With Dementia Or Alzheimer’s During Extreme Heat 

• Make sure they are dressed appropriately for the weather.  
• Make sure they stay hydrated; they may forget to drink enough water. Drinking water at the same time as them may help. 
• Keep glasses of water within easy reach. Straws may also help if they have limited mobility.  
• Eat high water content foods with them, such as ice pops, watermelon and cucumber. 

Children & Pets

• Children and pets should never be left unattended in a vehicle.
  • Even in 70-degree weather, the interior temperature of a vehicle can increase rapidly to over 100 degrees in just 20 minutes.
  • Cracking a window does not help.
• Leaving a child or pet unattended in a vehicle often leads to a life-threatening emergency.
• Anyone who sees a child or animal unattended in a vehicle is urged to call 9-1-1 immediately.

SUSPENSION OF SERVICE DISCONNECTIONS

Entergy New Orleans does not disconnect on days that the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory, which is expected to last through July 4, 2023.  Residents can call 1-800-ENTERGY to report outages. The Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) will also suspend shut offs for delinquent accounts.  Please call 52-WATER to report any water or sewer emergencies. 

For more information and safety tips visit nola.ready.gov. To receive up-to-date alerts text NOLAREADY to 77295.

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