Where to find shelter during extreme heat

Temperatures in the Twin Cities are expected to hit sweltering heights this week, with heat indexes potentially reaching as high as 115 degrees by midweek when temperatures are expected to reach 100. To help beat the heat, a number of cooling spaces will be open for people seeking shelter.

Hennepin and Ramsey Counties have interactive maps where people can find public spaces to cool down.

Also, the Salvation Army is reminding people that all Twin Cities service centers will be serving as cooling centers during the heat streak.  Salvation Army service centers will be open during normal business hours Monday through Friday, welcoming anyone needing respite from the heat. Below is a list of service center locations:

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
Location information and hours can be found at ​SalvationArmyNorth.org.

Tips for preventing heat-related illness during extreme heat:

• Drink more fluids. Drinking fluids helps your body cool itself. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Avoid drinking liquids with caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar. They can actually cause your body to lose more fluid. Remind anyone you are responsible for to drink more water.
• Never leave any person or animals in a parked vehicle.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitted clothing.
• Check on your neighbors who may be at risk. Visit seniors and other vulnerable neighbors at least twice a day and look closely for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
• If you or your neighbors are not vaccinated for COVID-19, you can call, text, video or meet them and keep a 6-foot distance. Seek medical advice immediately if you notice nausea, weakness, disorientation, rapid pulse and dry skin.
• Take an air conditioning break. Air conditioning is your best defense against heat-related illness. If a home is not air-conditioned, people can reduce their risk for heat-related illness by spending time in public facilities that are air-conditioned and using air conditioning in vehicles.

• Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when the sun is hottest. Even young and healthy people can get sick from the heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather. If you must be outside, try to limit your activity to morning and evening hours, pace your activity and take frequent breaks in the shade, drink plenty of fluids, and protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen.
• Don’t rely on an electric fan. Electric fans may seem to provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Using wet cloths, showers or baths, or a spray of mist on exposed skin will help cool your body temperature.

Find more ways to beat the heat here.