Madera cooling center activated

It may have taken a little longer, but summer has hit Central California and it’s going to get a lot warmer this week.

According to The Weather Channel, the high for Wednesday will be 102 degrees. However, it may seem cool compared to the rest of the week. Thursday’s high is expected to be 111 degrees, followed by 112 on Friday and 111 on Saturday.

The City of Madera has activated its cooling center at the Frank Bergon Senior Center from Wednesday through Friday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

COVID-19 protocols will still be active for the Senior Center. That means participants are required to wear a face covering, they will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19, no more than 10 people will be allowed entrance (however, if the demand is greater, additional cooling centers will be activated) and the centers will be frequently sanitized.

Cooling centers are open to the public and meant to provide relief for those who otherwise do not have access to an air-conditioned environment. The City of Madera urges residents to take steps to protect against heat-related illnesses. These illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, occur when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. Children, senior adults and people with chronic illness are at highest risk.

City officials monitor weather conditions and may call for activation of cooling centers at any time that temperatures are forecast to meet or exceed 105 degrees, or if temperatures are expected to meet or exceed 100 degrees for two or more consecutive days.

The public can refer to the City’s website, www.madera.gov to confirm Cooling Center activation. Additionally, residents with questions regarding cooling centers may contact the City of Madera’s Department of Parks and Community Services at 661-5495.

The City’s Cooling Centers are made possible through grant funds from Pacific Gas & Electric Company.