The City of Savannah, in partnership with other agencies, is taking measures to help residents stay cool as heat index values could reach 110 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. A heat advisory has been issued and will be in effect from 11:00 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Residents are advised to drink fluids, remain in air-conditioned rooms, avoid direct sunlight, and check on relatives and neighbors. It is also emphasized that young children and pets should not be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
The city has made available several cooling centers and pools for Saturday, July 19:
– Tompkins Regional Center (2333 Ogeechee Road) and W.W. Law Regional Center (900 E. Bolton St.) will be open from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
– City pools at Bowles C. Ford (1900 Stiles Ave.), Daffin (1301 E. Victory Dr.), W.W. Law (900 E. Bolton St.), and Tompkins (2333 Ogeechee Road) will operate from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., then again from 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m.
– Splashpads across the city including Hudson Hill, Hull Park, Crusader Park, Forrest Hills, Avondale Park, Victory Heights Park, Savannah Gardens, Forsyth Park, Tatemville, and Montgomery Crossroads will be open from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
For those experiencing homelessness:
– Union Mission (120 Fahm St.) will be open from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
– Come As You Are (1901 Pennsylvania Ave.) and Salvation Army (3100 Montgomery St.) will operate from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
– CSAH Outreach Team services are available between 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
In addition to these measures for human safety during extreme heat conditions, the City of Savannah is enforcing equine heat safety ordinances affecting local tour companies using horse-drawn carriages. “When the heat index exceeds 110 degrees or when the actual temperature reaches 95 degrees,” horses cannot operate on city streets but may remain at stands or return safely to stables if possible.
