Community centers, libraries, and senior centers throughout Orange County have been activated as cooling centers, offering residents refuge from extreme heat and humidity. These conditions follow high surf along the coast, which began this past weekend after tropical storm Marie.
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for inland Orange County, encompassing cities such as Anaheim, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Fullerton, Orange, Mission Viejo, and Irvine. This warning is in effect until Thursday night at 8 p.m., with temperatures expected to reach between 90 and 100 degrees. Forecasts also indicate overnight temperatures are predicted to hover around 80 degrees, which can make it difficult for residents to cool down and get adequate sleep, particularly for those without air conditioning. The combination of high heat and humidity contributes to a perceived temperature that feels even hotter than actual thermometer readings.
While cooling centers are open, Orange County Health Care Agency officials indicated in an unsigned Wednesday email that current forecasts did not fully meet specific regional criteria for a broader response. The officials stated, “Based on the current forecast, we are not meeting the Excessive Temperature Annex implementation criteria of predicted ambient air temperatures of 95°F (Coastal Orange County) and/or 100°F (Inland Orange County) for three (3) or more consecutive days in five (5) or more Orange County cities.”
Late last month, during a prior heat wave, local county health officials issued warnings about the heightened risk of heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Vulnerable populations such as children, seniors, individuals with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, and outdoor workers are particularly susceptible. An August 26 news release highlighted that “Prolonged exposure to excessive temperatures may cause serious conditions like heat cramps or heatstroke and can even be fatal.” Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and dizziness. More severe warning signs of heat stroke can manifest as an extremely high body temperature, unconsciousness, confusion, hot and dry skin (without sweating), a rapid pulse, and a throbbing headache.
To mitigate health risks, officials recommend that residents stay indoors, consume plenty of water, wear loose-fitting clothing, and take frequent breaks when working outside. For individuals without air conditioning, local cooling centers are available. In Santa Ana, both the Delhi and Newhope libraries are serving as cooling centers, alongside various local community and senior centers. Garden Grove residents can access cooling services at both the Chapman and Tibor Rubin Libraries, as well as the local community center. In Fullerton, the city’s community center, located downtown, is open for those seeking relief from the heat. In Anaheim, facilities such as the Brookhurst Community Center and Haskett Library, among other cooling centers across the city, are available, particularly for residents in the western part of town.
State health officials report that climate change is contributing to an increase in the severity and duration of extreme heat episodes. Despite being largely preventable, heat-related fatalities surpass those from other weather-related hazards. The California Department of Public Health’s website defines extreme heat as “temperatures that are much hotter than average, and an extreme heat event is two or more days and nights of unusually high heat for a given geographic area.” The department further notes that “High levels of humidity can make outdoor temperatures feel hotter.”
