Scorching temperatures are here and the City of Erie is taking action.
Officials have set up what they call “cooling centers” across the city.
Tents have been set up at Perry Square, Wayne Park and Gridley Park for anyone seeking relief from the warm weather.
That’s where residents can find shade, water and cooling towels on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Separately, the Erie City Mission is also opening a temporary cooling shelter from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the week at its chapel at 1017 French Street.
“Just like we have a snowstorm we have severe weather. This is just another one of those emergencies we need to be prepared for. So drink a lot, wear light clothing, limit your time in the sun, wear sunscreen,” said Allen Clark, emergency management coordinator for the City of Erie.
Several local groups are running these centers, including the American Red Cross.
“The community got together really quickly and put this plan together and it’s something that the residents can take advantage of,” said Geoffrey Domowicz, community disaster program manager with the American Red Cross. “We decided to spread it out instead of just putting it in Perry Square because if folks are around here it’s a long walk if they don’t have transportation to Perry Square in the center of the city.”
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Both Domowicz and Clark reminded residents to check on vulnerable neighbors such as children, the elderly and those with disabilities as well as pets. They said knowing signs of heat illness can save someone’s life.
“If you’re starting to experience dizziness or anything like that, those are signs of heat stress or heat stroke. You really need to take that seriously,” Domowicz said.
Many residents on Tuesday were beating the heat the old-fashioned way like staying cool in the Perry Square fountain.
“We’re just having fun. We’re trying to stay away from the sun as much as possible. But I figured a little bit, one hour is okay,” said Igor Kovalchuk, an Erie resident.
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The Kovalchuk family said they had a day full of plans to take advantage of their favorite time of year.
“It’s a very nice time to go to place that you can’t go in the winter,” said Aliana Kovalchuk.
“The winters are long and so we just can’t complain. It’s only here for three months. We gotta get what we can get,” Igor Kovalchuk said.
The city is also accepting donations of water bottles that can be dropped off at any of the three locations.
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