Cooling shelters open during heat wave

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Ahead of Wednesday's 90 degree temperatures, Providence officials are advising residents to take precautions in order to stay cool.

• Interactive: Summer Heat Safety

City officials are concerned about residents who do not have air conditioning and may be elderly, young or sick. So to prepare for the oppressive temps, they’re opening a number of cooling shelters in libraries for refuge.

“We actually use places that are already open during the day,” said Peter Gaynor of the Providence Emergency Management.

If the cooling centers exceed the demand for capacity, Gaynor said they'll "open up a school or another city owned facility.”

Officials are also reminding the public to check on their neighbors.

Despite the hot temperatures, pools and water parks in Providence will not be open. They're scheduled to open on July 2.

• Related: Today's Weather Discussion

Since it will be a high ozone day, RIPTA will be providing free bus transportation and free trolley rides.

The Salvation Army will be opening a cooling station from noon until three in Kennedy Plaza.

Cooling Shelters

PEMA has identified locations that can also be utilized as cooling centers:

Federal Hill House
9 Courtland Street
6:30am – 6pm

Silver Lake Annex Multi- Purpose Community Center
529 Plainfield Street
6:30am – 5pm

Joslin Community Development Corporation
231 Amherst Street
9am- 5pm

Nickerson Community Center
133 Delaine Street
9am – 5pm

Capitol Community Center
110 Ruggles Street
7am – 5pm

Davinci Center for Community Progress
470 Charles Street
8:30am -4:30pm

West End Community Center
109 Bucklin Street
9am – 5:30pm

Jewish Community Center
409 Elmgrove Avenue
Wednesday and Thursday 5am-9pm
Friday 5am-6pm

Library Branches

Residents may also seek shelter at the following Providence Community Library branches:

Fox Point Library
90 Ives Street
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 1:00 - 6:00 pm

Mt. Pleasant Library
315 Academy Avenue
Wednesday 12:00 - 6:00 pm
Thursday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Friday 12:00 - 6:00 pm

Olneyville Library
Olneyville Square
Wednesday 1:00 - 8:00 pm
Thursday & Friday 1:00 - 6:00 pm

Rochambeau Library
708 Hope Street
Wednesday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Friday 12:00 - 6:00 pm

South Providence Library
441 Prairie Avenue
Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Thursday & Friday 1:00 - 6:00 pm

Wanskuck Library
233 Veazie Street
Wednesday 1:00 - 6:00 pm
Thursday 1:00 - 8:00 pm
Friday 1:00 - 6:00 pm

Washington Park Library
1316 Broad Street
Wednesday 1:00 - 6:00 pm
Thursday 1:00 - 8:00 pm
Friday 1:00 - 6:00 pm