County Asks Municipalities to Set Up Cooling Centers

COURT HOUSE — With the temperatures forecasted to be above 95 degrees through Thursday night, the County Emergency Management Communications Center sent a request to all Municipal Emergency Management Coordinators and Chiefs of Police to consider providing accommodations for a Cooling Center for residents and visitors to their community that may be stranded in high heat circumstances.
Cape May County Emergency Management Director Frank McCall said, “The Cooling Center does not have to be elaborate. It should be air conditioned and water, juice, chairs and cots should be available if possible.” Additionally, municipalities were asked to inform their local Dispatch Center, Police, Fire, EMS and the media of the opening and location of their Cooling Center.
McCall added, “It is important that we in Cape May County be attuned to the needs of our residents and visitors. While our summer months can be very enjoyable, conditions like we are experiencing this week can have a serious impact on our children, senior citizens and individuals who may have medical conditions that leave them vulnerable to the effects of scorching heat and record-like temperatures. It is important that the Public Safety Community attempts to provide a safe haven for folks in their untimely need of assistance.” Public places for Senior Citizens to go to Beat the Heat
The Cape May County Senior Centers are open from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm at the following locations:
Howard Stainton Senior Center
3304 Bay Ave.
Ocean City, NJ 08226
398-2552
Lower Cape Senior Center
2612 Bayshore Rd.
Villas, NJ 08251
886-0070
North Wildwood Senior Center
10th & Central Aves.
North Wildwood, NJ 08260
729-2090
Upper Twp. Senior Center
1369 Old Stagecoach Rd.
Palermo, NJ 08230
390-1969
The hours at Nutrition Site are 8:30 am – 12:30 pm at:
Mid-County Nutrition Site
168 Crest Haven Rd.
CMCH, NJ 08210
465-4465
If you call one day ahead and are age 60+, you can even get a meal!