With extreme heat forecast for the remainder of the week, Cumberland County and the city of Fayetteville will extend the availability of government buildings as cooling stations through Aug. 20 for people who do not have access to air conditioning and need a place to get out of the heat.
The National Weather Service in Raleigh is forecasting high temperatures through the rest of this week and potentially into next week. Cooling stations will be open in the following locations during business hours through Sunday.
The Department of Social Services, at 1225 Ramsey St., will open its auxiliary lobby as a cooling station from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. All public lobbies will be open. Masks or face coverings are encouraged for those with preexisting conditions.
The first-floor lobby of the Cumberland County Department of Public Health, 1235 Ramsey St., will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Masks or face coverings are required in some areas and immediately following a COVID-19 infection or close contact, the release said.
All eight Cumberland County Public Library locations will be open as cooling stations. The libraries are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The Headquarters Library at 300 Maiden Lane as well as the Cliffdale, North Regional, and Hope Mills branches also are open from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
To find your local library, go to cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/library-group/library.
The lobbies of Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation centers are open to the public year-round during normal operating hours and can be used as respite from the heat. Recreation center locations, hours, contact information and programming schedules are posted at fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/.
The lobby of Fayetteville Area System of Transit, 505 Franklin St., is open during regular hours. Go to fayettevillenc.gov/city-services/transit/about-fast/operating-hours-schedules for details.
Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working outdoors. Cumberland County Emergency Services reminds residents to take precautions during the hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun, avoid strenuous work, check on relatives and neighbors, and never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.
