TAMPA, Fla. — Local officials are keeping the city’s emergency cooling stations open for a second consecutive day as a severe heatwave continues to bake the region. After first launching the relief sites on Friday, June 19, the City of Tampa confirmed that these facilities will remain active on Saturday, June 20, to offer community members a safe place to escape the extreme outdoor conditions.
Meteorologists expect daytime temperatures to push well into the upper 90s on Saturday. When combined with the region’s high humidity, the real-feel heat index is projected to reach a dangerous 110 degrees.
The temporary shelters are free and open to all community members, though city officials are specifically urging individuals without access to reliable air conditioning to utilize the spaces. Four designated locations across the city will operate on Saturday, with doors opening at 11:00 A.M. and remaining open until 7:00 P.M.
Residents seeking a place to cool down can visit the Barksdale Adult Activity Center at 1801 N. Lincoln Avenue or the George Bartholomew Center at 8608 N. 12th Street. Air-conditioned spaces are also available at the Ragan Park Center, located at 1200 E. Lake Avenue, and the Kate Jackson Community Center at 821 S. Rome Avenue.
While the city’s official announcement did not include direct quotes or commentary from administrators, the operational focus remains entirely on public safety during the peak hours of the day. For those looking for real-time safety tips, extreme heat updates, or emergency notifications throughout the weekend, the city advises residents to text the keyword HEATSAFE to 888-777.
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