HSD Focuses on Vulnerable Populations in Preparation for Forecasted Extreme Heat

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the Seattle area due to forecasted high temperatures above 90 degrees. The warming trend will continue through Saturday night.

The City of Seattle is working together with our regional partners to prepare for these extreme temperatures including monitoring critical infrastructure like power systems, water systems, roadways, and bridges. In addition, the City of Seattle is monitoring the potential for moderate to unhealthy air quality levels through Saturday.

A press release sent out Tuesday by the Mayor’s Office highlighted cooling centers and pools available across the city, and outreach teams are on the ground working with our most vulnerable residents to prevent heat illness in these extreme conditions. You can find a map of locations here.

Heat Safety

We encourage everyone in Seattle to take extreme heat seriously and act with caution over the next few days. Public Health—Seattle & King County (PHSKC) recommends taking simple steps to help prevent heat related illness and death:

• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before you feel thirsty.
• Keep your home cooler by shutting blinds or drawing curtains. Use fans or air-conditioners, if you have one.
• Check on your neighbors, friends, and family in the area—particularly seniors and people with medical conditions—to ensure they are not suffering heat illness at home. Cooling centers are available.
• Avoid outdoor activities if possible during the heat of the day, generally from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
• Never leave children or pets in a vehicle. Temperatures inside of cars can skyrocket to deadly levels quickly during extreme heat.
• Use life jackets or other flotation devices on the water to prevent drowning.

Seattle Center

Seattle Center Armory is open to the public and is equipped with air conditioning and filtration. View the campus map PDF.  

• Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily  
• International Fountain, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily

Senior Centers

Please call ahead to confirm hours and availability. All sites have air-conditioning unless noted.

• Central Area Senior Center (500 30th Ave S), Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM and Sunday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; 206-726-4926
• Greenwood Senior Center (525 N 85^th St), Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM and Saturday 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM; Dogs Permitted; 206-297-0875
• Pike Market Senior Center (85 Pike St, Suite 200), Thursday, August 12 – Friday, August 13, 8:20 AM – 6:00 PM NEW EXTENDED HOURS; Monday – Sunday, 8:20 AM – 2:00 PM (regular hours); Pets Permitted; 206-728-2773
• Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon St), Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Pets Permitted; 206-932-4044
• Southeast Seattle Senior Center (4655 South Holly St), Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; 206-722-0317
• Wallingford Community Senior Center (4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite 140), Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Pets Permitted; 206-461-7825: Note – this location does not have air conditioning

Day Centers for People Experiencing Homelessness

The following day center locations for people experiencing homelessness are open to the public (with some restrictions), accept pets, and have air-conditioning:

• Community Drop-In Center – Seattle Indian Center (1265 S Main St suite 105), Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• The Salvation Army Jefferson Day Center (4th & Jefferson), Wednesday, August 11 – Friday, August 13, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM EXTENDED HOURS; Monday – Sunday, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (regular hours)
• Urban Rest Stop – Ballard (2014-B NW 57th St), Monday – Friday, 6:30 AM – 1:30 PM
• Urban Rest Stop – Downtown (1924 Ninth Avenue), Monday – Friday from 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM and Saturday – Sunday from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Orion Center (1828 Yale Ave), Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM and Saturday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Youth only (ages 12 to 24)
• Mary’s Place Day Center (1831 Ninth Ave), Monday – Friday from 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Women or Women with Children only

Outreach to People Experiencing Homelessness

HSD’s HOPE Team is coordinating outreach efforts with its provider partners to support those living unsheltered during the heat wave. Similar to the heat response in June, the HOPE Team will be distributing water and basic needs supplies and have transportation resources available to cooling center locations. The HOPE Team is also coordinating outreach efforts with its City department partners, including Health One and Seattle Parks and Recreation. Health One will have unit(s) in operation Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and will be adequately equipped with water and other heat-related supplies.

HSD is monitoring the forecast and making preparations, in partnership with Seattle’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), King County, and PHSKC, in case a temporary cooling shelter is activated this week. There are multiple factors that may be weighed in determining when to activate emergency cooling centers/shelters, and may include, but are not limited to: potential for excessive heat and/or temperatures above 95 degrees, length of a hot weather event, an emergency public health declaration, advisory from National Weather Service, and if temperatures remain high overnight.

Outreach to Vulnerable Populations

HSD’s Aging and Disability Services (ADS) case managers and contractors are making calls to their most vulnerable clients—those who live alone and receive in-home services for complex health needs. Fans were made available to clients who needed one. Staff have reached out to Seattle Housing Authority management regarding heat.

Older people, adults with disabilities, and caregivers who need assistance should contact Community Living Connections (toll-free 844-348-5464) for professional, confidential information and resources, free of charge (funded by HSD/ADS).