INDIANAPOLIS — Officials in Indianapolis are asking for people to make sure they are doing what they can to stay cool, safe and check on neighbors during the extreme heat central Indiana is experiencing this week.
Cooling centers are available to people without a fee at about 20 Indianapolis library branches, IndyParks family centers and some indoor facilities, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said.
The 11 IndyParks family centers will be open at various times on Monday-Saturday.
You can learn more about the options available from Indy Parks online.
The Glendale branch of the Indianapolis Public Library will be closed Tuesday because of issues with the air conditioning.
ALERT 🚨: The air conditioning is currently not working at our Glendale branch and for the safety of our staff and patrons, Glendale will be closed today.
— Indianapolis Public Library (@indylibrary) June 14, 2022
RELATED | Take advantage of public spaces to cool off in Indianapolis | Heat safety: How to protect your kids from rising temperatures | Several Indiana counties under Air Quality Action Day status | Latest forecast
The mayor is also asking people to check on older adults, keep pets cool, avoid outdoor work if possible and avoid using a personal vehicle if possible.
Jacob Spence, the director of Marion County Emergency Management, said the agency will continue to monitor the weather and work with other local agencies.
Anyone who needs additional assistance or information can contact Indiana 211, Spence said.
The officials are also asking people to consider raising the temperature of their homes by a few degrees to reduce the strain on the power grid. Hogsett said when he left his house Tuesday morning, he left the temperature at 75 or 76 degrees and left water for his pets.
Hogsett said he would likely go home during the day to check on his pets and some neighbors.
You can watch the full press conference below.
Cooling centers in central Indiana
In addition to the cooling centers mentioned above in Marion County, there are several other cooling centers open throughout central Indiana.
In Kokomo, a cool center is open on certain days and times this week at the Kokomo Rescue Mission.
Need Relief from the Heat? Cooling Center is open in the Kokomo Rescue Mission Dining Room on Tuesday, June 14 through Thursday, June 16 from 9:00am-6:00pm.
— Kokomo Rescue Miss. (@rescuekokomo) June 14, 2022
24 Hour Shelter Available - Call 765-456-3838.
Kokomo Rescue Mission - HOPE STARTS HERE! pic.twitter.com/mYquStC2mt
In Putnam County, the lounge and lobby at the hospital and airport are open 24/7, according to the county dispatch and emergency operations center.
-
Judge upholds security presence at Lugar Tower after resident concerns
A judge has ruled that security must remain in place at Lugar Tower, following concerns from residents over crime, including drug activity, assaults, and robberies.Children's Museum dinos ready to slam dunk All-Star Weekend in new WNBA gear
🦖 The iconic outdoor dinosaurs at The Children's Museum are now decked out in WNBA All-Star gear. Check out their vibrant new look as we gear up for the big weekend.‘She’s Got Now’ event to tip off WNBA All-Star Weekend, celebrating female icons
The WNBA All-Star Game is set to draw thousands to Indianapolis, including prominent female icons. An event centered around empowering women will tip off the weekend, honoring many of these legends.IMPD investigates fatal east side shooting, adding to weekend toll of 7 deaths
A person was shot and killed on Indy's east side during the early morning hours on Monday, adding to a weekend marked by escalating gun violence in the city.