Status
No current alerts
In the event of an Extreme Heat Warning issued by the National Weather Service, this page will be updated with specific cooling center location information.
Cooling Centers are operated during daylight hours to coincide with peak temperatures. Overnight cooling shelters are dependent upon widespread power outages and estimated time of power restoration.
Follow @AustinHSEM on Twitter and @AustinEmergencyManagement on Facebook for the most up to date information.
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Cooling Centers are Available
All Austin Public Library and Austin Parks & Recreation and Senior Centers are open for use as cooling centers during normal operations (not for overnight services). Please call the facility prior to arrival to confirm operational hours.
Most Austin Public Libraries are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 5:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Austin Public Libraries Cooling Center Hours and Locations (PDF)
Austin Parks & Recreation facilities have varying hours of operations. Please check their website for times and locations.
Austin Parks & Recreation Facility Cooling Center Hours and Locations (PDF)
Currently, only service animals are permissible at these locations.
Transportation to Cooling Centers
Get to a cooling center using the CapMetro Trip Planner for bus service. All CapMetro buses are ADA accessible. A new local ride share option can also be requested through CapMetro Pick-Up or by calling (512) 369-6200. This option is only available in certain zones in the city - call or click for more details.
Additional Cooling Center Locations
The lobbies of the Travis County Community Centers will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Check the link for a location near you.
Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) located at 500 E. 7th St, is also serving as a cooling center and is open Monday – Sunday 8:00 a.m – 6:00 p.m.
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Heatwave Tips
- Check out these easy energy saving tips and a map to track power outages.
- Read about worker safety regulations in the Rest Break Ordinance to keep workers safe in the heat.
- Heat illness can be life threatening. Learn the signs and symptoms here and call 911 if you are experiencing them.
- Wildfire safety information:
- Pay attention to this site to track fire danger (NOTE: hyperlink to: https://wildfire-austin.hub.arcgis.com/) and modify your behavior based on the daily wildfire danger rating.
- Residents can organize their neighborhood into a Firewise Community. Reach out to firewildfire@austintexas.org to start the process of having a wildfire division member assess your home and help organize your community by providing a risk assessment, or visit www.ATXWildfire.org for more information.
- The Austin-Travis County Wildfire Coalition has published a Ready, Set, Go! guide to help central Texans organize themselves for evacuation. Plan to be Prepared, prepare to be ready, and when the time comes, be ready to go. Remember, Wildfire is Everyone’s Fight.
Updated 1:00 p.m. 08/08/2022