Various local government and local nonprofit entities will combine to operate a cooling center Tuesday at the Wilson Hall Complex at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.
In conjunction with several Metro departments and the Red Cross, Metro’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will operate the center, which is open to the public, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. The center also was open Monday.
In addition to the cooling rest area, cold bottled water and snacks will also be provided at the center.
The center’s availability comes on the heels of the National Weather Service’s issuing a heat advisory for the area, predicting the temperature will hit 99 degrees Tuesday. Heat indexes could range between 105-113 degrees.
Residents, particularly those outside for long periods, are advised to stay well-hydrated by drinking lots of water and by taking regular breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.
In a related move, staff and volunteers with the Nashville Rescue Mission and patrol officers with the Metro Police Department Central Precinct are conducting "hot patrols” Tuesday in the downtown area. Personnel will check on the homeless and others who are exposed to the brutal heat for long periods of time and provide assistance when needed.
Metro OEM staff and volunteers are deploying several mobile units throughout the county and providing cold bottled water to those in need.
Metro Parks and Recreation has made available all of its community centers and clubhouses for both days to those seeking temporary relief from the heat.
Information on these centers is listed and also available here [1].
Links:
[1] http://www.nashville.gov/parks/