May 15, 2008

BREAKING NEWS (3:40 p.m.): Heat warning in effect

San Mateo County opens cooling centers today

By Will Oremus / Daily News Staff Writer

With temperatures soaring into the 90s this afternoon, the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services has opened a string of air-conditioned "cooling centers" in cities along the Bay side of the Peninsula.

Libraries, senior centers and community centers from East Palo Alto to South San Francisco are opening their doors to the elderly, the infirm and anyone else who needs a break from the heat. They'll be open from noon to 8 p.m.

The county has also opened a toll-free cooling hotline at (888) SMC-6789, or (888) 762-6789, for those needing additional assistance.

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the Bay side of the Peninsula and a Heat Advisory for the Coastside.

As of 2 p.m., it was reporting a temperature of 100 degrees in Redwood City and 87 degrees at San Francisco International Airport.

Elderly and infirm people are urged to drink plenty of water, and - if they don't have air conditioning - to find a cooler location to spend the day.

Friends and relatives of those who might be sensitive to heat should frequently check on them.

Children, elderly people and pets should not be left unattended in cars, even for a short period of time, the weather service advises.

Below are a few of the local cooling centers. For a complete list, visit the news section of the county's Web site, http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us

East Palo Alto
City Hall, 2415 University Ave., (650) 853-3100

Redwood City
Red Morton Community Center, 1120 Roosevelt Ave., (650) 780-7250
North Fair Oaks Senior Center, 2600 Middlefield Road, (650) 780-7253

Belmont
Belmont Senior & Community Center, 20 Twin Pines Lane, (650) 595-7441

Burlingame
Burlingame Recreation Center, 850 Burlingame Ave., (650) 558-7300

Millbrae
Millbrae Recreation Center, 477 Lincoln Circle, (650) 259-2360