Cooling Centers open in Santa Clara County due to heat advisory

A Spare the Air alert is also in effect for Friday, July 21 for the entire Bay Area.

Santa Clara County, CA. 21 July 2023– The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 21 through 11 p.m., Saturday, July 22. Inland areas temperatures could reach triple digits, which can lead to people experiencing heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

County libraries are operating as cooling centers to provide a safe, air-conditioned space for community members seeking relief from the heat. There are also other dedicated cooling centers open across Santa Clara County. For the nearest cooling center information, go to www.preparescc.org/heatsafety.

The populations most at risk to suffer from the heat are those who work outdoors, individuals without air conditioning, young children, the elderly, people with chronic health conditions, and unhoused community members.

“The incoming hot weather poses significant health hazards, especially for our vulnerable populations, and we urge everyone to take advantage of the County Libraries and other specially designated cooling centers,” said Kathryn Kaminski, Deputy Director of the Office of Supportive Housing. “Outreach teams and community volunteers are in the field working with service providers and making extra visits to encampments to distribute water and to spread awareness of available cooling centers and other resources.”

San Jose community centers and libraries are also open during regular business hours for community members. Go to bit.ly/sjcommunitycenters for a list of community centers and www.sjpl.org/locations for a list of libraries.

Camden Community Center
3369 Union Ave.
San José, CA 95124
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22 from 1 – 9 p.m.

Central Park Library
2635 Homestead Rd.
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

College Terrace Library
2300 Wellesley St.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Community Recreation Center
969 Kiely Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Friday, July 21 from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, July 22 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Cupertino Library
10800 Torre Ave.
Cupertino, CA 95014
Friday, July 21 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Downtown library
270 Forest Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Emma Prusch Farm Park
647 S King Rd.
San José, CA 95116
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22 from 1 – 9 p.m.

Gilroy Library
350 W. 6th St.
Gilroy, CA 95020
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Los Altos Library
13 S. San Antonio Rd.
Los Altos, CA 94022
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Los Gatos Library
100 Villa Ave.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Friday, July 21 – Monday, July 23 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Milpitas Community Center
457 E. Calaveras Blvd.
Milpitas, CA 95035
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Milpitas Library
160 N. Main St.
Milpitas, CA 95035
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Milpitas Senior Center
40 N. Milpitas Blvd.
Milpitas, CA 95035
Friday, July 21 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 22 from 9 a.m. – noon

Milpitas Sports Center
1325 E. Calaveras Blvd.
Milpitas, CA 95035
Friday, July 21 from 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Saturday, July 22 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Mitchell Park Library
2700 Middlefield Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Friday, July 21 – Sunday, July 23 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Morgan Hill Library
660 W. Main Ave.
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Northside Library
695 Moreland Way
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Rinconada Library
1213 Newell Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Friday, July 21 – Sunday, July 23 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Roosevelt Community Center
901 E. Santa Clara St.
San José, CA 95116
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22 from 1 – 9 p.m.

Saratoga Library
13650 Saratoga Ave.
Saratoga, CA 95070
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Senior Center
1303 Fremont St.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Friday, July 21 from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday, July 22 from 8 a.m. – noon

Woodland Library
1975 Grant Rd.
Los Altos, CA 94024
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Santa Clara County community members are encouraged to check in frequently with older adults and those with chronic conditions who are especially vulnerable to the heat, including family, friends, and neighbors. If you see someone who may be experiencing distress due to the heat, please call 911. All residents are encouraged to take heat safety measures including the following:

Drink plenty of water and beverages containing electrolytes even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, or lots of sugar because they can speed up fluid loss.
Limit physical activity during peak heat hours of 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Never leave people or pets in a closed, parked car.
Cool off by taking a bath or shower.
Wear light weight, light colored, and loose-fitting clothing to help you keep cool.
Do not bundle babies or put them in heavy clothing.
Wear a wide-brimmed, vented hat or use an umbrella when outdoors.
Wear sunglasses and sunscreen.
Rest often and find shady places to cool down when outdoors.
Check on family, friends, or neighbors.
People taking medications should take extra precautions to stay out of the heat. Drugs such as stimulants can increase body core temperature and may predispose individuals to hyperthermia.