City of Shreveport opened cooling centers, June 20

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - The City of Shreveport opened cooling centers at SPAR facilities on Monday, June 20.

Temperatures are expected to eclipse 100º in northwest Louisiana over the next few days.

So Mayor Adrian Perkins held a news conference at 1 p.m. Monday, June 20 to announce the opening of the city’s nine cooling centers.

“It is very hot, extremely hot and we’re already experiencing higher temperatures in the city of Shreveport,” the mayor said. “As a matter of fact, we’ve already had several days where the heat index has been over 100º. We take the safety and the health of citizens extremely seriously. Also we’ve been in constant talks with our health care professionals.”

Joining Perkins during the news conference were Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese, Louisiana Public Health Director Dr. Martha Whyte and SporTran CEO Dinero Washington.

“We are prepared once we see the increase in illnesses and injuries related to heat emergencies starting with heat cramps and loss of sodium then they move to heat exhaustion, and then one of more most serious in with heat stroke,” the fire chief said.

The cooling centers give the public access to air-conditioned facilities, free bottled water and designated seating areas. The centers will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Where to find cooling centers:

• A.B. Palmer Community Center - 547 E. 79th St.
• Airport Park Community Center - 6500 Kennedy Drive
• Bill Cockrell Community Center – 4109 Pines Road
• Chris Hays Community Center – 4300 Illinois St.
• David Raines Community Center - 2920 Round Grove Lane
• Hattie Perry Community Center - 4300 Ledbetter St.
• Mamie Hicks Community Center - 200 Mayfair Drive
• Southern Hills Community Center - 1002 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop
• Valencia Park Community Center - 1800 Viking Drive

According to the CDC, there are an average of 702 heat-related deaths yearly.

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