With temperatures expected to reach triple digits this week, Cumberland, Durham, Johnston and Wake counties have opened some cooling centers to help residents escape the dangerous heat.

Cumberland County and the City of Fayetteville have designated multiple government buildings as cooling centers for residents without access to air conditioning or anyone in need of a cool, safe place to get out of the heat.

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Cumberland County Cooling Centers

  • Cumberland County Department of Public Health – First Floor Lobby: 1235 Ramsey St., Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Friday, July 3, for the Independence Day holiday.
    • Cumberland County Department of Social Services – Auxiliary Lobby: 1225 Ramsey St., Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Friday, July 3, for the Independence Day holiday.
      • Cumberland County Public Libraries: All eight library locations across the County. All library locations will close at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and remain closed through Monday, July 6, for the Independence Day holiday.
        • Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST) – Main Lobby: 505 Franklin St., Fayetteville Closed Saturday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday. See hours at fayettevillenc.gov/transit.
          • Fayetteville Cares Day Resource Center: 128 South King St., Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Friday, July 3, for the Independence Day holiday.Visit faycaresnc.org for more information.
            • Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation – Recreation Center Lobbies: Recreation Centers hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, July 3.Various locations throughout the County. Visit fayettevillenc.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Facilities/Recreation-Centers for hours and locations.

              Durham County cooling centers

              All Durham County libraries, except Bragtown will operate as cooling stations during normal operation hours, July 2 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. These cooling stations will be closed July 3 and July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

              The Main Durham County library will open Sunday July 5 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.

              • Urban Ministries of Durham's HOPE Day Center at 410 Liberty Street will remain open on weekdays from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. as a place to stay cool an receive breakfast, bagged lunch, and dinner.
                • Durham Rescue Mission offers help at 2 campuses (call for open hours at 919-688-9641)
                  • Women and Children's Campus: 507 E. Knox St
                    • Men: 1201 E. Main St.

                      Johnston County cooling centers

                      • Street Reach of Johnston County is offering extended hours as a cooling station from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. July 1 through July 7, 125 S. Fourth St.
                        • Johnston County Courthouse: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday *Excluding Holidays*, 207 E. Johnston St, Smithfield
                          • Johnston County Library: Weekdays 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 305 E. Market St. Smithfield
                            • Salvation Army: Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday – Friday 306 N. Brightleaf Blvd Smithfield

                              Wake County Cooling Centers

                              Wake county cooling stations will be running from July 1 through Monday July 6. Wake County public libraries will be closed July 4 for Independence Day.

                              Regional centers and Health and Human Services center will operate as cooling stations Thursday July 2 and Monday July 6, 8:30 a.m. until 5:15 p.m. The Health and Human Services locations will be closed July 3 in observance of Independent Day.

                              Locations that are not normally open to the public such as EMS, Fire and county fleet maintenance buildings will not be available as cooling centers.

                              Extreme heat safety reminders

                              Adults older than 65 and children younger than 4, people with existing medical conditions are at a greater risk on days with extreme temperatures. 

                              • Drink plenty of water.
                                • Stay in air-conditioned spaces when possible.
                                  • Avoid direct sun exposure during peak heat hours.
                                    • Limit outdoor activities and take frequent breaks in the shade.
                                      • Check on elderly neighbors, young children and pets.
                                        • Never leave children or pets in parked vehicles.