HOUSTON – Temperatures in Fort Bend County are expected to rise and in response, authorities have opened several public facilities located throughout the county to serve as emergency cooling centers, Wednesday through Friday this week.
“We are expecting extremely dangerous heat this week, so we want to advise Fort Bend County residents to prepare for the intense temperatures. I encourage everyone to check on their family, friends, and neighbors, especially our elderly and children, who may be at risk during this heatwave,” said Fort Bend County Judge KP George. “We have opened the cooling centers to help those residents who may not have air conditioning or if there is a power outage. Our Office of Emergency Management will continue to closely monitor weather conditions throughout this period of extreme heat.”
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These centers provide Fort Bend County residents who lack air-conditioning at home with relief from the heat, free of charge. All centers will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at most sites.
Cooling center locations are as follow:
George Memorial Library
1001 Golfview Dr.
Richmond, TX 77469
Missouri City Branch Library
1530 Texas Parkway
Missouri City, TX 77489
Albert George Branch Library
9230 Gene Street
Needville, TX 77461
Sienna Branch Library
8411 Sienna Springs Blvd.
Missouri City, TX 77459
Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library
8100 FM 359 South
Fulshear, TX 77441
University Branch Library
14010 University Blvd.
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Cinco Ranch Branch Library
2620 Commercial Center Blvd.
Katy, TX 77494
Sugar Land Branch Library
550 Eldridge Rd.
Sugar Land, TX 77478
First Colony Branch Library
2121 Austin Parkway
Sugar Land, TX 77479
University Branch Library
14010 University Blvd.
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Mamie George Branch Library
320 Dulles Avenue
Stafford, TX 77477
Mission Bend Branch Library
8421 Addicks Clodine Rd.
Houston, TX 77083
Mustang Community Center
4521 FM 521 Rd.
Fresno, TX 77545
Landmark Community Center
100 Louisiana St.
Missouri City, TX 77489
Additionally, the county said in a news release that its top priority is the possibility of power outages. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, has asked residents to conserve energy through Friday. If the power outage lasts longer than 15 to 20 minutes, the county said it encourages people to go to a cooling center.
Fort Bend County residents are urged to help reduce electric use by:
- Setting their thermostat to 78 degrees or higher
- Turn off lights and pool pumps and avoid using large appliances like ovens, washing machines, and dryers.
- Turn off and unplug unnecessary electrical items that are not being used.
The county also reminds all residents to take the following extra precautions during hot weather:
- Avoid the sun – stay indoors when the heat index is the strongest.
- Drink plenty of fluids – two to four glasses of water every hour during times of extreme heat.
- Replace salt and minerals – sweating removes salt and minerals from your body, so replenish these nutrients with low sugar fruit juices or sports drinks during exercise or when working outside.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Pace yourself – reduce physical activity and avoid exercising outdoors during peak heat hours.
- Wear appropriate clothing – wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-colored lightweight, loose-fitting clothes when you are outdoors.
- Stay cool indoors during peak hours – set your air conditioner between 75 degrees to 80 degrees. If you don’t have air conditioning, take a cool shower twice a day and/or visit a county emergency cooling center.
- Monitor those at high risk – check on elderly neighbors, family members, and friends who do not have air conditioning. Infants and children up to 4 years old.
- Keep pets indoors – heat also affects your pets, so please keep them indoors. If they will be outside, make sure they have plenty of water and a shaded area to help them keep cool.
We encourage Fort Bend County residents to sign up for FBC Alert, which provides rapid text notification and updates during a major crisis or emergency in the County.
When an incident or emergency occurs, authorized Fort Bend County Homeland Security & Emergency Management personnel can notify you using this community alert system.
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