GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Temperatures and heat indexes like those predicted for the coming week are not only uncomfortable... they can be downright dangerous, even life-threatening.
While many residents of the greater Twin Cities metro are fortunate to hunker down in air conditioning at home or work, there is a significant portion of the population that doesn't have that luxury. That group includes the elderly, those surviving on a minimal income or people without housing.
Fortunately, there are public options to escape the scorching temps and prevent heat stroke or exhaustion. Here are some of them.
Hennepin County
Public buildings across Hennepin County are open for those without air conditioning, including libraries, government centers and city halls, public rec centers, beaches, pools and more.
Other options, including movie theaters, pools and recreational facilities that require admission and others may have an entry fee.
Note that visitors to most county buildings are not required to wear a mask, with the exception of correctional, detention, and health care settings. Follow instructions from signage and building staff.
Ramsey County
A long list of cooling spaces are open to the public in Ramsey County during periods of extreme heat like this week. Most of the ones listed on the county's interactive map are libraries, public rec centers or government buildings.
Ramsey County also has nine beaches and Waterworks facilities that are open to the public. They are: Lake Gervais County Park, Lake Josephine County Park, Lake McCarrons County Park, Lake Owasso County Park, Long Lake Regional Park, Tony Schmidt Regional Park, Turtle Lake County Park, Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park and White Bear Lake County Park.
Ramsey County also reminds residents to check on relatives, neighbors, older adults and other vulnerable community members during periods of extreme heat, to ensure they are staying cool and hydrated. Those at highest risk include people 65 and older, children younger than two, and people with chronic diseases or mental illnesses.
Dakota County
The Dakota County Emergency Management Office shared the following list of facilities where county residents can cool off and escape the anticipated heat wave.
- Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings
- Northern Service Center: 1 Mendota Road W., West St. Paul
- Western Service Center: 14955 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley
- Burnhaven Library: 1101 W. County Road 42, Burnsville
- Farmington Library: 508 Third St., Farmington
- Galaxie Library: 14955 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley
- Heritage Library: 20085 Heritage Drive, Lakeville
- Inver Glen Library: 9098 Blaine Ave., Inver Grove Heights
- Pleasant Hill Library: 1490 S. Frontage Road, Hastings
- Robert Trail Library: 14395 S. Robert Trail, Rosemount
- Wentworth Library: 199 E. Wentworth Ave., West St. Paul
- Westcott Library: 1340 Wescott Road, Eagan
- City of South St. Paul Library: 106 Third Ave. N., South St. Paul
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army operates a number of service centers across the Twin Cities metro to serve as cooling centers as temperatures approach triple digits, and heat indexes (relative humidity combined with air temperature) could reach 105 degrees or higher. Here are the locations that can be accessed.
- 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
For hours and other considerations, check out the Salvation Army website.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is also offering up these reminders for keeping your home as cool as possible and protecting yourself against unhealthy high temps.
- 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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