Santa Clara County announced the opening of cooling centers today, due to a heat wave anticipated to last until 11 p.m. tomorrow. The Santa Clara County news release came after the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Heat Advisory for the entire Bay Area, predicting unusually high temperatures and an increased risk of heat-related illnesses.

In response to the heatwave, Santa Clara County has rapidly mobilized to safeguard residents, particularly those most at risk from heat—outdoor workers, individuals without air conditioning, children, seniors, and to people with chronic health conditions. Central to this plan are county libraries, converted into cooling centers, offering air-conditioned spaces for the community. A list of these and other cooling centers can be found on the preparescc.org website.

Kathryn Kaminski, Deputy Director of the Office of Supportive Housing, emphasized the importance of libraries during such heat events to people's safety. The efforts of outreach teams and community volunteers have also been noteworthy in visiting encampments for water distribution and spreading awareness about cooling centers and other resources.

San Jose community centers and libraries are maintaining regular operating hours for locals to seek relief from the heat. More information and library locations can be discovered at sjpl.org.

The county advocates for anyone noticing someone in heat-related distress—to immediately call 911. Additionally, drinking ample water, limiting physical activity during peak heat hours and light clothing are preventative safety measures encouraged by the county during heat waves.

Residents are further cautioned about the potential heat risks related to some medications by Kaminski. In particular, stimulants might raise the body's core temperature and make individuals more prone to hyperthermia.

For more information on heat safety measures, including multilingual advice in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese, community members can visit preparescc.org/heatsafety.