The blast of triple-digit heat-index weather is back in Johnston County this weekend, with parts of the county, including Smithfield, expected to feel well over 100 degrees. County officials are urging anyone who can to head for air-conditioned spaces during the hottest afternoon hours and to check in on older neighbors, young children and anyone without steady access to cooling. Local agencies have rolled out a short list of daytime cooling centers to give residents somewhere to ride out the worst of the heat.
Cooling centers and hours
Johnston County Emergency Services has listed the Johnston County Courthouse, the Public Library, the Salvation Army and Street Reach as public cooling centers with daytime hours available for relief, according to Johnston County Emergency Services. “We want everyone to stay safe during this period of extreme heat,” Emergency Management Coordinator Sandy Wood said in the county announcement. Officials also shared the advisory on the county’s Facebook page so residents can quickly check for any updates or changes to hours.
Dangerous heat this weekend
The National Weather Service office in Raleigh issued a Heat Advisory on Friday for central North Carolina, warning that heat-index values could climb into the low-to-upper 100s during the hottest stretch of the day, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasts for Smithfield show afternoon highs in the upper 90s and “feels like” readings well above 100, raising the odds of heat-related illness for anyone spending long periods outside or without air conditioning.
Who’s most at risk and safety tips
Older adults, infants, people with chronic medical conditions and outdoor workers are among those the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies as especially vulnerable to heat-related illness, with common warning signs including heavy sweating, dizziness and nausea and guidance on when to seek emergency care. Locally, the county is urging residents to stay hydrated, take frequent breaks in cool areas and never leave anyone, including pets, in a closed vehicle, per Johnston County Emergency Services.
Where to go and what to bring
Nonprofit partners including The Salvation Army and Street Reach are part of the county’s cooling network, and the Salvation Army’s Smithfield corps lists daytime service hours that line up with the county’s relief push, according to The Salvation Army. If you plan to use a cooling center, officials recommend bringing essential medications, a photo ID and water, and calling ahead to confirm hours and any visitor guidelines before you head out.
