MINNEAPOLIS — It's been a thrilling ride so far this year on Minnesota's wild weather rollercoaster, and with temperatures expected to reach the 90s over the next few days, we're in for a spin with yet another extreme weather event.
While some Twin Cities residents have the luxury of flipping a switch to cool down with AC, others — like those surviving on minimal income and unhoused folks — need some respite.
If you're looking for a public place to beat the heat this summer, check out the places below.
Hennepin County
Public buildings across Hennepin County that are open for people without air conditioning include libraries, government centers and city halls, public rec centers, beaches, pools and more.
There are also ample public beach options, which you can find on a map here. BUT before you fully lean into #lakelife, do be sure to check the county's website for more information about temporary beach closures throughout the summer.
Ramsey County
The east metro also has a long list of cooling spaces open to the public. Most listed on the county's interactive map are libraries, public rec centers or government buildings.
You'll also find nine public beaches in Ramsey County, in addition to Maplewood's Battle Creek Waterworks facility.
Dakota County
Like its north metro counterparts, Dakota County lists libraries and public beaches as its best places to chill out.
Click here for the county's interactive map.
The Salvation Army
When temps and heat indexes approached triple digits in the past, the Salvation Army offered several service centers across the Twin Cities as cooling centers.
For hours and other considerations, check out the Salvation Army website.
- Salvation Army Temple, 1604 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, (612) 721-1513
- Salvation Army Parkview, 2024 Lyndale Ave. N., Minneapolis, (612) 522-4871
- Salvation Army Noble, 10011 Noble Pkwy., Brooklyn Park, (763) 425-0517
- Salvation Army Eastside,1019 Payne Ave., St. Paul, (651) 776-8169
- Salvation Army Citadel, 401 West 7th Street, St. Paul, (651) 224-4316
- Salvation Army Lakewood, 2080 Woodlynn Ave., St. Paul, (651) 779-9177
- Salvation Army Central, 2727 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis, (612) 789-2858
Reminders during extreme heat
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers these reminders to help keep your home as cool as possible and to protect you and your family from heat-related illnesses.
- Limit your time outdoors and stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as you can. Go to a public place like the library, museum or shopping mall if you don’t have A/C at home.
- Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature or prevent heat-related illnesses.
- Roughly 40% of unwanted heat buildup in our homes is through windows. Use awnings, curtains or other window coverings to keep the heat out and check the weather stripping on doors and windows to keep the cool air in.
- Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing, along with a hat and sunscreen when outdoors.
- Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
- Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you. Older adults, individuals with chronic medical conditions and children are at greater risk from these dangerously high temperatures.
- Know the signs of heat-related illnesses. You can find a list here: Extreme Heat | Ready.gov. If you suspect heat stroke, call 9-1-1 or get the person to a hospital immediately.
- Never leave children or pets in cars.
- Check local news outlets for health and safety updates.
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