As North Texas braces for a hotter-than-average summer, Fort Worth is opening its community centers to keep residents cool and safe.
For the third straight year, Reliant, a retail electricity provider, is partnering with the city for its annual Beat the Heat initiative. The program designates four community centers as official cooling centers where residents can escape the heat, hydrate and access resources to stay safe.
Where are the Tarrant County cooling centers located?
Here’s where the four Tarrant County cooling centers are located:
- Como Community Center: 4660 Horne St., 76107 | 817-392-5300
- Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center: 5565 Truman Drive, 76112 | 817-392-5966
- Northside Community Center: 1100 NW 18th St., 76164 | 817-392-5992
- Worth Heights Community Center: 3551 New York Ave., 76110 | 817-392-8722
While summer might get off to a mild start, it doesn’t take long for the heat to ramp up and occasionally, take lives, especially in vulnerable populations in the city, said Scott Daniels, communications coordinator for the neighborhood services department.
“When the temperatures get really hot in the summertime, we know that there’s a need for our residents to find a place to cool off,” Daniels said. “That’s why we partnered with Reliant energy to start this Beat the Heat program.”
The cooling centers offer water, snacks, activities and energy-saving tips to help residents manage both their body temperatures and electricity use.
The program started June 16 and runs through Sept. 19. Locations and hours of operation are available at Reliant.com/beattheheat.
Residents can also request a cooling device by calling 817-392-2276 or submitting an application through Fort Worth’s Community Action Partners, the community action agency for Tarrant County, which provides a range of services to assist low-income individuals and families in finding self-sufficiency.
For those on fixed incomes or without air conditioning, cooling centers provide crucial protection, officials said.
Exposure to excessive heat can lead to dehydration, heat stroke and other medical emergencies, especially among older adults, children and people with chronic conditions, according to the World Health Organization.
AARP data shows that older adults are particularly vulnerable. Compared to younger individuals, it takes seniors nearly twice as long to return to their core body temperature after heat exposure, making cooling access a critical public health resource.
Juan Hernandez, a Fort Worth-based National Weather Service meteorologist said residents should be mindful of internal body temperature when exposed to prolonged heat.
Managing internal temperatures is important to staying cool, Hernandez said. If someone’s been out too long, especially without AC, the body can struggle to regulate and that can be dangerous.
Fort Worth still hasn’t hit its seasonal peak, Hernandez said.
“The hottest period of the year is usually from July 24 to Aug. 14,” Hernandez said.
Fort Worthians can prepare for the summer heat by monitoring home temperatures, increasing water consumption, using cooling towels, wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and limiting outdoor activity to early morning or evening hours.
Orlando Torres is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at orlando.torres@fortworthreport.org
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
Related
Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.
Republish This Story
Republishing is free for noncommercial entities. Commercial entities are prohibited without a licensing agreement. Contact us for details.