MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A cooling center will be open through Saturday morning for residents who need a place to escape the heat.
The Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library on 3030 Poplar Ave. will be open as an after-hours cooling center 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. both Thursday night into Friday morning and Friday night into Saturday morning.
The City of Memphis sets up cooling centers when there is a heat index of 105 degrees for more than three hours a day for two consecutive days or when the heat index is 115 degrees for any amount of time.
The Memphis area is under a heat advisory until at least 8 p.m. Friday.
Cooling centers are usually at locations such as malls, shopping centers, libraries and community centers during normal business hours.
This after-hours cooling center at the library will help people who need to cool down in the evening and through the night.
Those who need overnight accommodations can also get help from the Union Mission on 383 Poplar Ave. or the Salvation Army on 696 Jackson Ave.
Anyone requiring transportation assistance can call the Office of Emergency Management at (901) 636-2525.