Buffalo Opens Several Cooling Centers In Response To Heatwave

With the temperatures and heat index rising over the next day or two, it's important that people find ways to stay safe and cool, while also being aware of the risk of heat stroke.

While there is a cooldown expected in the coming days, it's key to make sure that the impact extreme heat can have on people isn't minimized or ignored. To help with that those risks, officials from the City of Buffalo have announced they're opening 14 cooling centers throughout the city of Buffalo to help residents stay safe and cool.

We are about to experience some of the hottest weather conditions so far this season. With the forecasted temperature near 90 degrees, these conditions are often challenging for our senior citizens and children... It’s important for all of our residents to take the necessary precautions to stay cool and hydrated, and please keep an eye on your vulnerable neighbors.
-Byron Brown, Mayor of Buffalo, New York

Since its still early in the warmer season, the public splash pads and public pools haven't opened yet. Luckily there are plenty of cooling centers you can stop by to take advantage of their air conditioning and avoid the extreme heat.

Cooling Centers Open In Buffalo

• Arlene Mychajliw Community Center, 82 Harrison St.,
• Asarese-Matters Community Center, 50 Rees St.,
• Autumnwood Senior Center, 1800 Clinton St.,
• Dorothy J. Collier Community Center, 118 E. Utica St.,
• Hennepin Community Center, 24 Ludington St.,
• Lincoln Fieldhouse, 10 Quincy St.,
• Northwest Buffalo Community Center, 155 Lawn Ave.,
• Peter Machnica Community Center, 1799 Clinton St.,
• Richmond-Summer Senior Center, 337 Summer St.,
• Schiller Park Senior Center, 2057 Genesee St.,
• Seneca-Babcock Community Center, 1168 Seneca St.,
• Tosh Collins Senior Center, 35 Cazenovia St.,
• William-Emslie YMCA Senior Center, 585 William St.,

Cooling Assistance Is Available In New York As Well

While these cooling centers are great, you don't need to wait for them to open in order to find ways to stay cool at home. If you don't have air conditioning in your house, New York State has a program that may be able to help you obtain an air conditioner or repair the one you own if its out of order.

The New York State HEAP Cooling Assistance program can help you get a benefit of up to $1,000 for an air conditioner.

You can apply for cooling assistance to buy and install an air conditioner or a fan for your home. Your household is allowed one or the other, and the price cannot be more than $800 with installation for a portable air conditioner, or fan, and not to exceed $1,000 for an existing wall sleeve unit. Like HEAP funding, cooling assistance funds are limited and are distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.
-New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

You can find more information about this program here.