Scorching temperatures are here and the City of Erie is taking action.<\/p>\n
Officials have set up what they call \u201ccooling centers\u201d across the city.<\/p>\n
Tents have been set up at Perry Square, Wayne Park and Gridley Park for anyone seeking relief from the warm weather.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s where residents can find shade, water and cooling towels on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.<\/p>\n
Some Like it Hot, Some Not\u2026 <\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cJust 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,\u201d said Allen Clark, emergency management coordinator for the City of Erie.<\/p>\n Several local groups are running these centers, including the American Red Cross.<\/p>\n \u201cThe community got together really quickly and put this plan together and it\u2019s something that the residents can take advantage of,\u201d said Geoffrey Domowicz, community disaster program manager with the American Red Cross. \u201cWe decided to spread it out instead of just putting it in Perry Square because if folks are around here it\u2019s a long walk if they don\u2019t have transportation to Perry Square in the center of the city.\u201d<\/p>\n Erie County officials reminding residents of heat safety, cooling shelter opened <\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2019s life.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re starting to experience dizziness or anything like that, those are signs of heat stress or heat stroke. You really need to take that seriously,\u201d Domowicz said.<\/p>\n Many residents on Tuesday were beating the heat the old-fashioned way like staying cool in the Perry Square fountain.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re just having fun. We\u2019re trying to stay away from the sun as much as possible. But I figured a little bit, one hour is okay,\u201d said Igor Kovalchuk, an Erie resident.<\/p>\n