FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – In response to the forecasted potential for excessive heat this weekend and early next week, Cumberland County, in partnership with the City of Fayetteville, will make several facilities available during normal business hours to serve as cooling stations for residents who do not have access to air conditioning and need a place to get out of the heat.
The National Weather Service in Raleigh is forecasting high temperatures and heat indices this coming Saturday through Tuesday, with indices as high as 110 degrees on Sunday and 108 degrees on Monday.
The Cumberland County Department of Social Services, located at 1225 Ramsey St., will open the auxiliary lobby as a cooling station. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. All public lobbies will be available to citizens. Masks or face coverings are encouraged for those with preexisting conditions. Social Services will be closed on Tuesday, July 4.
The first-floor lobby of the Cumberland County Department of Public Health, located at 1235 Ramsey St., is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Masks or face coverings are required in some areas and immediately following a COVID-19 infection or close contact. Citizens with preexisting conditions are encouraged to wear a mask or face covering. The Health Department will be closed on Tuesday, July 4.
All eight Cumberland County Public Library locations will be open as cooling stations. Libraries are open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Headquarters Library at 300 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville, along with Cliffdale, North Regional, and Hope Mills branches are also open Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m. All locations will close at 6 p.m. on July 3 and will be closed Tuesday, July 4. To find your local library, go to cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/library-group/library.
The lobbies of Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation Centers are open to the public year-round, during normal operating hours and can be used by residents as respite from the heat. Recreation center locations, hours, contact information and programming schedules are posted at fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/. Recreation Centers will be open July 4 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The lobby of the Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST), located at 505 Franklin St., is also open to the public during normal operating hours. Operating hours for FAST are posted at fayettevillenc.gov/city-services/transit/about-fast/operating-hours-schedules. FAST will be closed on Tuesday, July 4.
Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working outdoors. Cumberland County Emergency Services reminds residents to take precautions during the hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun, avoid strenuous work, check on relatives and neighbors, and never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.
Stay informed by visiting the County’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov or County social media pages at facebook.com/CumberlandNC, facebook.com/CumberlandCountyNC911 and twitter.com/CumberlandNC.