With Greenwich sweltering into what’s expected to be its second official heat wave of the summer, the town has opened several cooling centers to offer residents a respite from the extreme conditions.
As municipalities around the state and region are taking measures to provide relief from the heat, the following Greenwich locations are now open during business hours through Sunday, when the excessive heat is expected to abate:
• Greenwich Senior Center, 299 Greenwich Ave.
• Greenwich Library, 101 W. Putnam Ave.
• Cos Cob Library, 5 Sinawoy Road (behind the Cos Cob Firehouse)
• Byram Shubert Library, 21 Mead Ave.
• Perrot Memorial Library, 90 Sound Beach Ave.
• Western Greenwich Civic Center, 449 Pemberwick Road
In addition, the lobby of the Greenwich Public Safety Complex, 11 Bruce Place, will be open 24/7 and the facility’s community room will be available 24/7 for overflow and emergency use should the need arise, the town has announced. All hours of normal operations are posted on each department or agency’s website.
State Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Rueben F. Bradford reminds residents that while anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others.
“It’s important to regularly check on infants and young children, people aged 65 or older, and others who you know may be at greatest risk due to the heat,” Bradford said. “Limit your outdoor exposure, and if you do need to go outside, make sure to wear sunscreen and drink lots of water. We’re also reminding people to avoid leaving children, pets or those who require special care in a parked car or vehicle during periods of intense summer heat.”
The heat and humidity will remain downright oppressive through Saturday, with high temperatures into the 90s each day and high humidity sending the heat index over 100 degrees, according to the forecast of WTNH meteorologist Gil Simmons. The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat watch for Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield counties and an air quality alert for all of Connecticut.