Stay safe in summer heat: Cooling stations offer relief from sweltering temps
We're in the middle of a sweltering summer in central North Carolina. Here are some places to cool off.
Wake County
Wake County Public Libraries offer shelter for those without air conditioning or to offer relief from the heat. Closing times for libraries vary, so visitors should check online or call their local library for site-specific information.
Additionally, the following locations are open weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. to the public:
- Wake County Health & Human Services, 220 Swinburne St., Raleigh
- Wake County Health & 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 Regional Center, 111 James Jackson Ave., Cary
In Wake County, sites that are not normally open to the public, such as EMS stations, fire stations and county fleet maintenance buildings, will not be available as cooling stations.
Durham County
Durham libraries are available for people who need to cool off, but check the hours online.
- Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St.
- East Regional Library, 211 Lick Creek Lane
- North Regional Library, 221 Milton Road
- South Regional Library, 4505 S. Alston Avenue
- Southwest Regional Library, 3605 Shannon Road
Johnston County
The Johnston County Courthouse in Smithfield can be used as a refuge from the heat during regular business hours.
Address: 207 East Johnston St. | Hours: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday to Friday
Cumberland County
Library locations are open for relief from the heat. Find your nearest library location online. Libraries are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Headquarters Library, Cliffdale Regional and Hope Mills Regional libraries are open Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The first-floor lobby of the Cumberland County Department of Public Health, located at 1235 Ramsey St., is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Cumberland County Department of Social Services, located at 1225 Ramsey St., will open the auxiliary lobby as a cooling station. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. All public lobbies will be available to citizens.
The lobbies of Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation Centers are open to the public year-round during normal operating hours and can be used as respite from the heat. For locations and hours, click here.
The lobby of Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST), located at 505 Franklin St., is open during normal operating hours.
Citizens with preexisting conditions are encouraged to wear a mask or face covering.
Stay informed by visiting the county’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov or check out the county's Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) social media pages.
How to stay safe in extreme heat
Wake County offers the following tips to stay safe and cool during extreme heat:
- Stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
- Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
- Familiarize themselves with the medical conditions that can result from over-exposure to heat, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat and take frequent breaks.
- Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
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