College Station opens public facilities for residents to escape the heat

College Station has identified several air-conditioned facilities to be used as cooling centers as temperatures rise.

According to a July 22 news release, the city is encouraging residents to use the facilities to cool down and hydrate.

The options

These cooling centers will be available to the public during normal weekday business hours:

• Lincoln Recreation Center
  • 1000 Eleanor St.
  • 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Meyer Senior and Community Center
  • 2275 Dartmouth St.
  • 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Southwood Community Center
  • 1520 Rock Prairie Road
  • 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• City Hall
  • 1101 Texas Ave. S.
  • 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

The city also has several facilities available for cooling off during the weekend:

• Larry J. Ringer Library
  • 1818 Harvey Mitchell Parkway S.
  • Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Friday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Sunday: 1:30-5:30 p.m.
• Visitor Center
  • 1207 Texas Ave. S.
  • Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Gary Halter Nature Center
  • 3555 Rock Prairie Road W.
  • Monday-Saturday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Fire Station No. 3 Community Room
  • 1900 Barron Road
  • Daily: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Fire Station No. 5 Community Room
  • 1601 William D. Fitch Parkway
  • Daily: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Fire Station No. 6 Community Room
  • 610 University Drive E.
  • Daily: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

One more thing

The city is encouraging residents to drink plenty of water throughout the day to beat the heat, even when they're not thirsty. The city also recommends others to check on their elderly neighbors and pets to make sure they have access to cooling.

Signs of heat exhaustion, per the Center for Disease Control, include:

• Heavy sweating
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea

Meanwhile, heat stroke is an emergency. Guidance from the CDC says symptoms include:

• High body temperature
• Confusion
• Rapid pulse
• Lack of sweating

If you suspect heat stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.