Mecklenburg County opens heat relief options as Charlotte faces 105-degree heat index
Charlotte NC – Mecklenburg County and Charlotte opened cooling centers, shelter help and CATS rides July 2-5 as forecasters warned of heat index values up to 105 degrees in Charlotte.
Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte rolled out short-term heat relief options for the July 2-5 holiday stretch as forecasters warned of dangerous heat across the area.
The county said it was working with Charlotte, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office and homeless service providers to monitor conditions and help residents find relief. The Charlotte Area Transit System also offered rides to designated cooling stations and shelter locations.
Where residents could cool off
On Thursday, July 2, Roof Above’s Day Services Center at 945 N. College St. in Charlotte was open for people living unsheltered. Mecklenburg County also opened several recreation and senior centers, along with pools and spraygrounds.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library locations were open July 2 and closed July 3-5 for the holiday weekend. For July 3-5, Roof Above’s Day Services Center extended its hours, while Roof Above’s Lucille Giles Men’s Shelter and The Salvation Army Center of Hope also added expanded hours or capacity.
Why the heat mattered
The National Weather Service forecast for Charlotte called for a high near 97 on July 5, with heat index values as high as 105. WBTV said most Charlotte-area counties were under a heat advisory on July 4, with the advisory covering Mecklenburg and several nearby counties.
County public health officials urged residents to limit outdoor activity, drink plenty of water, stay in shade or air conditioning when possible, and wear light clothing. The county said people over 65, children, pregnant women, outdoor workers and people with heart or lung conditions face higher risk.
What to watch next
The county’s special heat resources were scheduled only for July 2-5. Residents heading to outdoor events or working outside should keep checking updated weather and service notices as the heat continues into the start of the workweek.
Sources
- Mecklenburg County news release: Extreme Heat Resources to Keep Cool Available July 2-5
- National Weather Service Charlotte forecast
- National Weather Service Charlotte area heat briefing page
- WBTV: Heat advisory issued for most Charlotte-area counties on Fourth of July
- Charlotte Observer weather report
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