Amid excessive heat wave, DeLand opens cooling station for homeless: What you need to know

Jim Abbott, Daytona Beach News-Journal
·6 min read
With excessive heat forecasted through next week, DeLand is opening a cooling station.
With excessive heat forecasted through next week, DeLand is opening a cooling station.

Amid an excessive heat wave that is expected to stretch into next week, the City of DeLand is opening a cooling shelter aimed at serving the city’s most vulnerable residents.

In cooperation with The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia, the community room at The Bridge homeless shelter and day center, 421 South Palmetto Ave., will be open starting at noon Friday, Aug. 11, to those needing a break from the heat.

Here’s what you need to know:

What are the hours for the DeLand cooling station?

The Bridge’s community room will be open daily from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday through Wednesday, Aug. 23, according to a news release from the city. Temperatures will be monitored and assessments will be made about whether the community room needs to remain open longer.

An extreme heat wave is expected to continue into next week in Volusia and Flagler counties. In DeLand, a cooling station has been opened at The Bridge homeless shelter and day center. Countywide, public library branches also have been designated as cooling stations for those seeking to beat the heat.
An extreme heat wave is expected to continue into next week in Volusia and Flagler counties. In DeLand, a cooling station has been opened at The Bridge homeless shelter and day center. Countywide, public library branches also have been designated as cooling stations for those seeking to beat the heat.

The Bridge will continue its regular schedule of serving meals in that space at noon and 5 p.m. daily.

Why is a cooling station being opened in DeLand?

The shelter is being opened out of an abundance and concern for the city’s homeless population and other vulnerable residents who may not have access to cooling, according to the news release.

In case you missed it: Bodies of two homeless people found in DeLand, cause of death unknown

DeLand Police are investigating two deaths of homeless individuals this week, though it’s not known at this point whether heat was a contributing factor in either death pending the results of the autopsies, the new release stated. Authorities do not suspect foul play.

How hot is it expected to get this weekend?

On Friday, a heat advisory remained in effect across all east Central Florida counties, including Volusia and Flagler, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.

Afternoon temperatures in the mid- to upper-90s will combine with high humidity to produce dangerously high heat index values between 108 and 112 degrees. Those conditions are expected to continue through the weekend and into early next week.

Those engaged in outdoor activities are urged to take precautions against heat-related ailments.
Those engaged in outdoor activities are urged to take precautions against heat-related ailments.

By the middle of next week, higher coverage and earlier development of storms may keep temperatures and heat indices lower than over the past few weeks, according to forecasters.

What are other good places to stay cool in Volusia County?

The county’s 14 public library branches have been designated as cooling stations during the stretch of extreme heat. Most of the libraries are open on Saturdays.

Here’s the list:

  • Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 Jackie Robinson Parkway, Daytona Beach. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

  • DeBary Public Library, 200 N. Charles R. Beall Blvd., DeBary. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

  • DeLand Regional Library, 130 E. Howry Ave., DeLand. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

  • Deltona Regional Library, 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

  • Edgewater Public Library, 103 W. Indian River Blvd., Edgewater. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

  • Hope Place Public Library, 1310 Wright St., Daytona Beach. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

  • John H. Dickerson Heritage Library, 4111 S. Keech St., Daytona Beach. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

  • Lake Helen Public Library, 221 N. Euclid Ave., Lake Helen. Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

  • New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

  • Oak Hill Public Library, 125 E. Halifax Ave., Oak Hill. Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

  • Orange City Public Library, 148 Albertus Way, Orange City. Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

  • Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

  • Pierson Public Library, 115 N. Volusia Ave., Pierson. Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

  • Port Orange Regional Library, 1005 City Center Circle, Port Orange. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

What are the best ways to stay cool in the heat wave?

The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County offers these tips to beat the heat:

  • Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.

  • Stay indoors in air conditioning, especially during the hottest part of the day.

  • Schedule outdoor activities for early morning or later evening hours to avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day.

  • Wear sunscreen.

  • Stay hydrated.

  • Drink plenty of water.

  • Replace salts and minerals by drinking sports drinks after excessive sweat.

  • Stay away from sugary or alcoholic drinks.

  • Never leave children, older adults or pets alone in a car.

What are the signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke?

Volusia County offers these tips to determine if you’re suffering from heat-related illnesses:

Heat exhaustion. It begins with heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps weakness, dizziness, headache and possible fainting.

If you experience these symptoms, move to a cool place, loosen your clothes, put cool, wet cloths on your body or take a cool shower, and sip water. Seek medical attention immediately if you are vomiting, your symptoms get worse, or your symptoms last longer than one hour.

Heat stroke. This is a medical emergency. It’s characterized by a body temperature of 103 degrees or higher, hot and red skin, rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and possible loss of consciousness.

Call 911 right away, move the person to a cooler place, and lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Do not give the person anything to drink.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: DeLand opens cooling station for the city's most vulnerable residents