The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Bremerton and vicinity for Monday, August 14 through Tuesday, August 15. This period of hot weather will make heat related illness possible–especially in those people for whom it is difficult to escape the heat. Hot temperatures are now forecast to continue through Wednesday.
On Monday, August 14, Tuesday, August 15 and Wednesday August 16 there will be ten Cooling Centers open to Kitsap residents across the county providing relief from the heat. These centers are provided by our community partners at Kitsap Regional Library, The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, and the Salvation Army in Bremerton. The locations are found in the map below.
Salvation Army
832 6th St, Bremerton
Open 8 AM to 3:30 PM.
KITSAP REGIONAL LIBRARY LOCATIONS
Bainbridge Island
1270 Madison Ave N.
Mon 10 AM – 6 PM, Tues & Wed 10 AM – 7 PM.Kingston
26159 Dulay Road NE.
Mon, Tues & Wed 10 AM – 6 PM.
Manchester
8067 E Main St.
Mon, Tues & Wed 10 AM – 6 PM
Port Orchard
87 Sidney Ave.
Mon 10 AM – 6 PM, Tues & Wed 10 AM – 7 PM.
Poulsbo
700 NE Lincoln Rd.
Mon 10 AM – 6 PM, Tues & Wed 10 AM – 7 PM.
Silverdale
3650 NW Anderson Hill Road, Suite 101
Mon 10 AM – 6 PM, Tues & Wed 10 AM – 7 PM.Sylvan Way1301 Sylvan Way.
Mon 10 AM – 6 PM, Tues & Wed 10 AM – 7 PM.YMCA LOCATIONSHaselwood Family YMCA
3909 NW Randall Way.
Mon, Tues & Wed 5 AM – 9 PM.Bremerton Family YMCA
2261 Homer Jones Dr.
Mon, Tues & Wed 5 AM – 9 PM.
The decision to activate Cooling Centers is typically made each day in based on the National Weather Service HeatRisk Index. The forecast anticipates temperatures to start cooling on Thursday.
Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management recognizes and values the contribution made by these community partners in providing this important service. Kitsap Transit will waive fares for passengers needing bus rides to cooling centers. If you need a ride to a cooling center, Kitsap Transit’s buses may be an option for you, depending on how close you live to a bus stop.
The Bainbridge Island, Kingston, Manchester, Port Orchard, Poulsbo and Sylvan Way branches of the Kitsap Regional Library are available during their hours of operation. Also, the Hazelwood Family YMCA in Silverdale and the Bremerton Family YMCA are both open to the public. If you are not a member of the Y, and mention that you are there for the cooling center, the guest fee will be waived. You will need to sign a waiver and have your ID scanned prior to entry. Additionally, many local businesses, including malls and theaters have air conditioning.
To stay safe, be sure to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during the peak of the heat hours in the mid to late afternoon, and make sure not to leave children or pets in vehicles – even with the window down. Additional safety information can be found here along with signs of heat illness.
To promote safety in the workplace Labor & Industry has established rules for heat and air quality effective June 1, 2022. L&I’s Be Heat Smart web page has complete details of the requirements and additional steps employers and workers can take to prevent heat-related illnesses.