Heat Help
How you can help
The summer heat can be life-threatening for folks living outside. By equipping ourselves with knowledge, resources, and direct care, Austinites can help provide relief to our neighbors who need it most.
If you’re experiencing homelessness and want to apply for housing or find other resources, visit our Get Help page.
Cooling Centers
All City of Austin park and library facilities are operating as cooling centers during normal business hours (locations, addresses, and contact information).
Travis County community center facilities are operating as places to cool off, fill water bottles, and use restroom facilities.
More Resources
The Scorching Reality: The effects of prolonged heat exposure can be devastating. Spending all day and sleeping outside without proper protection or access to cooling resources places people at an alarmingly high risk of heat-related illnesses, like dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and even death.
The best solution to heat-related danger is a permanent place to live. Tell your elected leaders you support housing and services to keep people housed and cool long-term. Here are some ways you can provide people experiencing homelessness immediate relief during extreme heat:
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Supplies to give out
Keeping a few critical supplies in your car or bag can make an immediate difference in someone’s day. In addition to care kits that include cash, gift cards, socks, food, and water, here are some ideas to help unhoused folks stay safe in the heat:
- Frozen water bottles + electrolytes: Throw a few water bottles in your freezer before bed. Pack up a bag or small cooler with them the next morning, and give them out with electrolyte pouches on your commute or lunch break. Reusable water bottles are also a great item to give out.
- Sunscreen: Sun protection is paramount. By providing sunscreen and educating individuals on its importance, you help shield them from the harmful effects of prolonged sun exposure.
- Cooling center and safety info: Check in with people to make sure they know of available cooling centers. You can use the map and other resources on this page to help folks navigate to one of the indoor spaces around Austin and Travis County.
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Signs of heat-related illness
In case of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, take immediate action to ensure the well-being and safety of a person experiencing homelessness.
- Heat cramps
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Signs: Muscle pains or spasms in the stomach, arms, or legs.
- Actions: Go to a cooler location. Remove excess clothing. Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar. Get medical help if cramps last more than an hour.
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- Heat exhaustion
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Signs: Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, or fainting.
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Actions: Go to an air-conditioned place and lie down. Loosen or remove clothing. Take a cool bath. Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar. Get medical help if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.
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- Heat stroke
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Signs: Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees) taken orally; red, hot, and dry skin with no sweat; rapid, strong pulse; dizziness; confusion; or unconsciousness.
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Actions: Call 911 or get the person to a hospital immediately. Cool down with whatever methods are available until medical help arrives.
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- Heat cramps
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Get emergency alerts and information
WarnCentralTexas
The WarnCentralTexas website provides alerts and warnings for various emergencies, including extreme heat. Visit the website and sign up for their notification system to receive alerts directly to your phone or email.
City of Austin emergency information
Find information and resources for active emergencies in the City of Austin, including extreme heat events.
National Weather Service information
Find the latest information on weather emergencies, including heat advisories and excessive heat warnings, as well as a 5-day forecast to plan ahead.