The heat index in Northeast Florida could hit 112 on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.The heat index in Northeast Florida could hit 112 on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
The heat index in Northeast Florida could hit 112 on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

Extreme heat leads city to open new cooling centers

Published on June 26, 2024 at 11:39 am
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With Jacksonville facing its third straight day with a heat index between 108 and 113 degrees, city officials have activated cooling centers.

And as announced earlier this week, those cooling centers have been expanded to include all 21 libraries, plus the 24 city community centers and all city pools and splash pads.

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After launching last year’s inaugural cooling center effort, city officials decided to expand Cooling Center operations across Jacksonville this summer.

Then the National Weather Service announced Wednesday that the heat is expected to feel like 112 degrees in parts of northeast and northern Florida and southeast Georgia through 7 p.m. The high heat index warning, the third in as many days, said the hot temperatures and high humidity might cause heat illnesses. So the Weather Service recommended people drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned rooms and keep out of the sun.

If the extreme heat continues, Jacksonville will open two main Cooling Centers from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays and holidays — the Main Library on North Laura Street, and the Legends Center on Soutel Drive.

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The JTA will offer free transportation to cooling centers on designated heat emergency days. Tell the bus driver you are heading to a cooling center to receive free service.

Go to jacksonville.gov/staycooljax to find cooling center locations and other information.


author image Reporter email Dan Scanlan is a veteran journalist with almost 40 years of experience in radio, television and print reporting. He has worked at various stations in the Northeast and Jacksonville. Dan also spent 34 years at The Florida Times-Union as a police and current affairs reporter.

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