🔥 Beat the Heat: Long Beach Issues Urgent Heat Alert and Expands Cooling Centers! ☀️

The city of Long Beach is bracing for a scorching heat wave, with temperatures projected to soar up to 102 degrees by Friday. In response, the local health officer has issued a heat alert aimed at safeguarding the community, especially those without air conditioning or those particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures.

🌡️ Extended Hours for Cooling Centers

To provide relief, Long Beach is extending the hours of various cooling centers across the city. These spaces will be available for residents seeking refuge from the heat. The designated cooling centers include:

📍 Cooling Center Locations and Hours

• Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.)
• Thursday, Sept. 5, to Friday, Sept. 6: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 7, to Sunday, Sept. 8: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• El Dorado Park (2800 Studebaker Road)
• Thursday, Sept. 5, to Friday, Sept. 6: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 7, to Sunday, Sept. 8: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Silverado Park (1545 W. 31st St.)
• Thursday, Sept. 5, to Friday, Sept. 6: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 7, to Sunday, Sept. 8: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• McBride Park – California Recreation Community Center (1550 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave.)
• Thursday, Sept. 5, to Friday, Sept. 6: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 7, to Sunday, Sept. 8: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Long Beach Senior Center (1150 E. 4th Street)
• Thursday, Sept. 5, to Friday, Sept. 6: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 7, to Sunday, Sept. 8: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Additionally, the Long Beach Multi-Service Center at 1301 W. 12th St. will also extend its hours to assist individuals experiencing homelessness, offering a respite from the heat. The hours for this center are:

• Thursday, Sept. 5, to Friday, Sept. 6: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 7, to Sunday, Sept. 8: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

🌞 Heat Alert Explained

A heat alert is typically issued when the forecast predicts temperatures exceeding 95 degrees for two consecutive days or an overnight low of 80 degrees for two nights in a row. The expected highs for Long Beach are:

• 97 degrees today (Sept. 5)
• 102 degrees on Friday
• 99 degrees on Saturday (Sept. 7)

Officials are urging residents to take necessary precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses and to seek air-conditioned environments during peak heat hours. Relief from the heat is expected to start by Saturday, with temperatures gradually returning to normal by mid-week.

What do you think?

• Do you feel the city is doing enough to protect its residents during extreme weather events?
• Should cooling centers be made available year-round, regardless of weather conditions?
• How can communities better support vulnerable populations during heat