Cooling Centers Open Due to Excessive Heat

The first heat wave of the summer has hit Coachella Valley and Riverside County. On June 3, the National Weather Services issued an excessive heat advisory for the deserts and Inland Empire with temperatures 15 to 20 degrees above the average. In response to this warm weather warning, Cooling Centers for seniors and local residents without air conditioning in their homes are now open across Coachella Valley and throughout the Desert Healthcare District.

These Cooling Centers are free and available for residents of all ages. When temperatures climb higher than 90 degrees, these centers open their doors for individuals who do not have access to air conditioning.

Coachella Valley experienced soaring temperatures between 111 to 115 degrees last weekend, with high temperatures expected throughout the rest of the month and summer season.

Excessive heat of this nature can cause a variety of negative health effects and individuals are at high risk for a variety of medical conditions, including heat stroke and heat illness, and should take extra precautions. When possible, limit physical activity to only the morning or evening hours, and know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

There are seventeen Cooling Centers now open in Coachella Valley. The information is listed below and is available at Coachella Valley Health in Play (cvHIP), an online directory of resources in Coachella Valley. It also includes resources for services including healthcare, food pantries, recreation, and counseling.

 Cooling Center at Joslyn Senior Center: 73750 Catalina Way, Palm Desert, CA 92260

 Cooling Center at Palm Desert Community Center: 43900 San Pablo Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260

 Cooling Center at Eisenhower Medical Center Lobby: 39000 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

 Cooling Center at La Quinta Senior Center: 78450 Avenida La Fonda, La Quinta, CA 92253

 Cooling Center at Community Center at Tierra Del Sol: 37-171 W. Buddy Rodgers Avenue, Cathedral City, CA 92234

 Cooling Center at Indio Senior Center: 45-222 Towne Avenue, Indio, CA 92201

 Cooling Center at Mizell Senior Center: 480 S. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262

 Cooling Center at Desert Resource Center: 1911 Baristo Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262

 Cooling Center at Coachella Senior Center: 1570 7Th Street, Coachella, CA 92236

 Cooling Center at James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center: 480 Tramview Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262

 Cooling Center at Thermal Senior Center: 87-229 Church Street, Thermal, CA 92274

 Cooling Center at The Well in the Desert: 1281 N. Gene Autry Trial, Suite O, Palm Springs, CA 92262

 Cooling Center at Desert Hot Springs Senior Center: 11-777 West Drive, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240

 Cooling Center at Boys & Girls Club of Desert Hot Springs: 66150 8th Street, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240

 The Eleanor Senior Center in the City of Coachella: 1540 Seventh Street, Coachella, CA 92236

 The LGBT Community Center of the Desert: 611 South Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 201, Palm Springs, CA 92264

 Coachella Valley Senior Center: 1540 7th Street, Coachella, CA 92236

For more information and to find a Cooling Center near you, visit cvHIP’s directory at: http://directory.cvhip.com/locations?keyword=cooling+center&location=&utf8=✓

About Desert Healthcare District

The Desert Healthcare District is a local government agency that has been committed to the health of its 230,000 residents for more than 65 years. The District believes every resident in its territory, the cities of Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Rancho Mirage, Thousand Palms, Cathedral City, Mountain Center and Palm Desert, deserves access to health education, disease prevention and comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services, and the opportunity to participate in District matters through access and input to the board. The District supports positive health system change via incorporating best-practice methodologies where possible; encouraging accurate outcome measurement by benchmarking, monitoring and evaluation; supporting innovative new practices and programs; and fostering collaboration and partnerships.