Cooling centers offer relief as the valley braces for another heatwave

As temperatures reach triple digits here in the valley, cooling centers are opening up their doors to those seeking shelter from this heatwave.

With water features and pools closed at city parks, some people are looking for other options to beat the heat. 

“It’s an unusual heatwave that we have to put up with every year it seems and august seems to be a more humid month than most months and so i just plan on spending time at home," said Chuck Drum, from Indio.

This cooling center at the United Methodist Church in Palm Springs is one of many around the desert offering relief. 

“We are here to welcome everybody to take care as many people as we can and our doors are always open," said Mark McGowan, CRVM Overnight Shelter Supervisor.

The cooling center’s supervisor, Mark McGowan said they offer an array of services including overnight stays and showers.

"More importantly lets get them into some air conditioning because our deepest concern are for the most vulnerable and the ederly getting through these hot summer days," said McGowan.

Sac Martinez decided to stop by.

“It’s cool its got air conditioning, they provide water and everything just in case you get dehydrated and that’s a very good thing," said Martinez.

McGowan said they're requiring facial coverings, following social distancing guidelines and screening people at the door.

“When everybody arrives they are fever scanned at the door to make sure that they do not have a fever, we ask the questions have you been around anyone with COVID-19 do you have any flu like symptoms," said McGowan.

While mostly homeless people showed up, the cooling center is open to anyone. 

“Its very nice because being homeless you lose a lot of sleep and you want to sleep anywhere there’s shade or where you think of sleeping and having this is a great thing, it takes that out of the way,"said Martinez.

 A full list of the cooling center locations can be found HERE.