FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 12, 2023

MEDIA CONTACTS

Megan Snow, Media and Communications, msnow@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5051

City of Tacoma Urges Residents to Prepare for Heat Over the Next Several Days

Weather forecasts are predicting temperatures nearing 90 degrees Fahrenheit over the weekend. The City of Tacoma is encouraging residents to prepare for the heat.

Excessive heat can be dangerous to all people, and older adults, people with health concerns and children are at a greater risk.

“There are things everyone can do now to be ready for excessive heat,” said Shontieka Adeogun, City of Tacoma Emergency Manager. “Think about wearing light colored clothing and lighter layers, start hydrating now, have electrolytes on hand and know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”

Symptoms to watch for from the CDC include:

• Cold, pale and clammy skin
• Heavy sweating
• Fainting or passing out
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Fast, weak pulse
• Tiredness or weakness
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache

If a person has these symptoms, they should cease activity, move to a cooler location and seek medical attention. Elders and children are the most susceptible, so checking on elderly neighbors and keeping children out of the sun is important.

Don’t leave children, dependent adults or pets in parked vehicles. Temperatures can quickly climb to a level that can result in death. If you see a person or pet left in a parked vehicle during hot weather call 911 and stay with the vehicle until it is resolved.

The City is continuing to conduct outreach to unhoused neighbors to connect them with shelter and resources and is providing bottled water to people living unsheltered during weekdays.

Things to do to keep cool:

• Metro Parks Tacoma's 10 spraygrounds are open on weekends from 10 am-8 pm until Memorial Day when they begin daily operation through the summer. In response to the predicted high temperatures, all spraygrounds will also be open on Monday, May 15, and Tuesday, May 16 from 1 - 8 pm.  Please note throughout the season maintenance issues may arise and a sprayground may need to be shut down temporarily. For the most up-to-date information on all Metro Parks Tacoma’s services, visit them at metroparkstacoma.org/staycool253.
• Stay in the shade.
• Drink water (people and pets).
• Plan trips to places with air conditioning, including libraries, grocery shopping, etc.
• Keep your house cool – shut windows and blinds during the day, and open windows and use fans to cool the house once the temperature outside declines.
• If you plan to go to the water to cool off, please remember that even when it is hot outside, people can die of hypothermia in the water if core body temperature drops below 93 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tacoma Public Library’s eight neighborhood locations are all open to the public Tuesday through Saturday.

Tacoma Public Library current hours for all locations are:

Additionally, the City is partnering with homelessness services providers to distribute bottled water to people who are unsheltered during excessive heat.

For the upcoming warm inclement weather, the City of Tacoma will respond to the needs of people who are experiencing homeless in two ways.  

At the threshold, 85 degrees or warmer, the City will work with Catholic Community Services, outreach teams providing outreach in the city, and volunteers to distribute water to individuals who are unsheltered throughout the city.  

At the threshold, 90 degrees or warmer, the City will activate cooling centers.

Currently, Catholic Community Service’s Nativity House at 702 S 14th Street will provide a place to cool down during for individuals during the day from 7 AM to 4 PM everyday if needed. 

For more information about the City’s inclement weather resources, visit cityoftacoma.org/inclementresources.

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