City Opens Emergency Cooling Centers as Excessive Heat Warning Continues

NEW ORLEANS — The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued another Excessive Heat Warning for Sunday, August 6.  The weather forecast indicates that high humidity levels will result in heat index values – that is, temperatures that “feel like” degrees in New Orleans – of 108-116 degrees, while overnight heat indices range between 86-93 degrees.   

EMERGENCY COOLING CENTERS 

In coordination with the New Orleans Health Department and New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the City of New Orleans is coordinating the use of three New Orleans Recreation Development facilities as “emergency cooling centers” that allow individuals to seek respite from the dangerously hot temperatures. The following locations will be available from Sunday, August 6, 10 AM to 6 PM: 

• Joe Brown Recreation Center, 5601 Read Blvd 

• Rosenwald Recreation Center, 1120 S. Broad Ave. 

• Annunciation Recreation Center, 800 Race St.

• Cut-Off Recreation Center, 6600 Belgrade St.

NOLA READY HEAT RELIEF MAP 

Earlier this summer, the City of New Orleans launched the NOLA Ready Heat Relief Map, which can be found at https://ready.nola.gov.  This interactive map lists locations with free water and free, indoor air-conditioned locations for the general public.  Individuals in need of heat relief should check this interactive map for updated information on hydration stations or cooling centers. 

Businesses or organizations that are willing to act as a free community cooling site should email ready@nola.gov with the address, dates, and hours to be added to the map. 

HEAT RELIEF RESOURCES FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 6:

Individuals seeking refuge during the daytime may visit the following locations on Sunday, August 6:  

• Joe Brown Recreation Center is open Sunday from 10 AM – 6 PM (5601 Read Blvd) 

• Rosenwald Recreation Center is open Sunday from 10 AM – 6 PM (1120 S. Broad Ave) 

• Annunciation Recreation Center is open Sunday from 10 AM  -6 PM (800 Race St)

• Cut-Off Recreation Center is open Sunday from 10 AM - 6 PM (6600 Belgrade St)

• OHL Sobering Center is open 24/7 (732 N Claiborne Ave) 

• For Unhoused Individuals: 

• Ozanam Inn has a cooling area from 5:30AM – 6:30PM daily (2239 Poydras St) 

• New Orleans Women & Children's Shelter is open 9am-5pm.

• The New Orleans Mission will open their Day Center as a cooling site and provide water 10 AM - 4 PM.

• Grace at the Greenlight will be open 6:30 AM - 7:15 AM daily and will have water on hand. 

SAFETY TIPS 

These hot temperatures can become life-threatening if the proper precautions are not taken. Residents can visit weatherwise.nola.gov to find localized updates on weather conditions when considering outdoor activities.  Residents are advised to take the following precautions to prevent health emergencies due to overexposure to extreme heat:  

• Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside.  

• When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.  

• Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  

• Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible.  

• To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.  

• Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. 

• 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.  

For more city updates or information about heat-related illnesses and tips on staying cool, please visit ready.nola.gov/  

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