FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. –The National Weather Service indicates there will be periods of dangerously hot weather through Sunday, June 30. Shade air temperatures will rise well into the 90s each day, while heat index values peak as high as the upper 90s to near 105. Cumberland County, in partnership with the City of Fayetteville, will open cooling stations today through Sunday, June 30 for residents who do not have access to air conditioning and need a place to get out of the heat. While these locations are always available to the public during operating hours, County and City officials wish to make the public aware of their availability as cooling stations when conditions warrant.
The Cumberland County Department of Social Services, located at 1225 Ramsey St., will open the auxiliary lobby as a cooling station Mon. – Fri. from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All public lobbies will be available to citizens. Masks or face coverings are encouraged for those with preexisting conditions.
The first-floor lobby of the Cumberland County Department of Public Health, located at 1235 Ramsey St., will be open Mon. – Fri. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Masks or face coverings are required in some areas and immediately following a COVID-19 infection or close contact. Citizens with preexisting conditions are encouraged to wear a mask or face covering.
All eight Cumberland County Public Library locations will be open as cooling stations. Libraries are open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To find your local library, go to cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/library-group/library.
The lobbies of Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation Centers are open to the public year-round during normal operating hours and can be used as respite from the heat. Recreation center locations, hours, contact information and programming schedules are posted at fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/.
The lobby of Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST), located at 505 Franklin St., is open during normal operating hours. See hours at fayettevillenc.gov/city-services/transit/about-fast/operating-hours-schedules.
The most dangerous heat will occur on Wednesday and Saturday. These unusually hot conditions for this time of year will increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for those without access to air conditioning. County and City Emergency Management reminds residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun, avoid strenuous work, check on relatives and neighbors and never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.
Stay informed by visiting the County’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov or by visiting the County’s social media pages @CCNCGov and @CumberlandCountyNC911. City of Fayetteville information can be found by visiting their website at fayettevillenc.gov or their social media pages @CityofFayettevilleGovernment.