Triangle counties open cooling stations as temperatures soar. Here’s where to go.
Triangle officials will open some public buildings as cooling stations starting Wednesday, as temperatures climb into what will feel like the triple digits.
“More than 600 people in the United States are killed by extreme heat every year, but heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable,” Darshan Patel, operations manager with Wake County Emergency Management, said in a news release. “We encourage anyone who doesn’t have a place to take shelter to visit one of our cooling stations.”
Wake County
The following locations will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Thursday through Friday.
- Wake County Health and Human Services, 220 Swinburne St., Raleigh
- Wake County Health and Human Services Center at Departure, 5809 Departure Drive, Raleigh
- Eastern Regional Center, 1002 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon
- Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest
- Southern Regional Center, 130 N. Judd Parkway NE, Fuquay-Varina
- Western Health and Human Services Center, 111 James Jackson Ave., Cary.
- Wake County Public Libraries will also be open as cooling stations during their regular hours starting at noon Wednesday through Sunday. People can check their local library hours online at www.wake.gov/departments-government/libraries/locations or by calling their local branch.
Wake County opens cooling stations when the heat index will be over 100 degrees for three consecutive days, when the heat index will be 105-109 degrees for two or more days or when the heat index is forecast to be over 110 degrees over the next 12 to 24 hours.
When the heat index exceeds 90 degrees, the Wake County Animal Center stops all midday dog walks to prevent animals from getting heat stroke or burning their paws. Dogs are walked in the morning and evening instead.
Wake County also has a few programs that provide funding for people who need help paying their utility fees due to the excessive heat. More information about those programs can be found online at wake.gov/energyassistance or calling 919-212-0476.
Durham County
Durham County libraries are designated as cooling stations. For hours, go to durhamcountylibrary.org.
- Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St., Durham
- East Regional Library, 211 Lick Creek Lane, Durham
- North Regional Library, 221 Milton Road, Durham
- South Regional Library, 4505 S. Alston Ave., Durham
- Southwest Regional Library, 3605 Shannon Road, Durham
- Bragtown Branch Library, 3200 Dearborn Drive, Durham
The Durham Rescue Mission also is running “Operation RESCUE: Cool Shelter” at both of their shelters.
- The men’s shelter is at 1201 E. Main St., Durham
- The women’s shelter is at 507 E. Knox St., Durham
Orange County
Orange County will open these buildings Friday, July 28, until 7 p.m. to serve as cooling centers.
- Cedar Grove Community Center, 5800 N.C. 86 North, Hillsborough
- Efland-Cheeks Community Center, 117 Richmond Road, Efland
- Rogers Road Community Center, 101 Edgar St., Chapel Hill
- Orange County Public Library, 137 W Margaret Ln, Hillsborough
This story was originally published July 25, 2023 at 3:41 PM.
