June 23, 2003

The City of Houston has activated its Heat Emergency Plan. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory expected to remain in effect for southeast Texas through Thursday, June 26. A heat advisory is issued when the heat index, a computation of the air temperature and humidity, reaches 108 degrees for two consecutive days.

During a heat emergency, everyone is urged to take extra precaution to protect themselves from heat illness and death. High-risk groups such as adults age 55 and older, children under the age of five and people with chronic illness are urged to stay inside air-conditioned buildings between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., the hottest part of the day. Anyone living without air-conditioning can seek air-conditioned shelter at any City of Houston library, Parks and Recreation facility or Houston Department of Health and Human Services multi-service center.

People involved in outdoor labor or recreation should also consider altering their schedule to reduce heat exposure during the hottest part of the day. Prolonged heat exposure or strenuous physical activity may result in heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Outdoor workers should drink plenty of water or electrolyte replacement beverages and rest frequently in the shade or in an air-conditioned facility.

Houstonians needing transportation assistance to a city-cooling center may call 311 and ask for cooling centers. Transportation provided by Metro is available to 11 regional cooling centers. The cooling centers are:

• Acres Homes Library, 8501 W. Montgomery Rd.
  Mon 12PM-8PM; Tue 10AM-6PM; Wed-Sat 12PM-6PM
• Alief Library, 7979 South Kirkwood
  Mon& Wed 10AM-8PM; Tue & Thur 12PM-8PM; Fri 12PM-6PM; Sat 10AM-6PM
• Blue Ridge, 7007 W. Fuqua
  Mon12PM-8PM, Tu & Thur-Sat 12PM-6PM; Wed 10AM-6PM
• Central Library, 500 McKinney
  Mon-Thur 9AM-9PM, Fri & Sat 9AM-6PM; Sun 2 PM-6PM
• Collier Library 6200 Pinemont
  Mon & Wed 10AM-8PM; Tu & Thur 12PM-6PM; Fri 12PM-6PM; Sat 9AM-6PM
• Morris Frank, 6440 W. Bellfort
  Mon & Thur 12PM-8PM; Tue-Wed & Sat 10AM-6PM; Fri 12PM-6PM
• Jungman Library, 5830 Westheimer
  Mon &Thur 12PM-8PM; Tue-Wed & Sat 10AM-6PM; Fri 12PM-6PM
  Montrose Library, 4100 Montrose Blvd
• Mon & Thur 12PM-8PM; Tue-Wed & Sat 10AM-6PM; Fri 12PM-6PM
• Robinson Westchase, 3223 Wilcrest
  Mon & Thur 12PM-8PM; Tue-Wed & Sat 10AM-6PM; Fri 12PM-6PM
• Stanaker Library 611 South Sgt. Macario Garcia Blvd.
  Mon & Thur 12PM-8PM; Tue-Wed & Sat 10AM-6PM; Fri 12PM-6PM
• Vinson Library 3100 West Fuqua
  Mon & Thur 12PM-8PM; Tue-Wed & Sat 10AM-6PM; Fri 12PM-6PM

Two heat-related deaths, one in Houston and another in Harris County, and four heat-related illnesses, have been reported to the Houston Department of Health and Human Services this year.