AUSTIN — Austin officials said Monday they are expanding outreach and heat safety efforts as temperatures are expected to near 100 degrees this week, with a focus on protecting residents most vulnerable to extreme heat.
During a meeting of the Austin Public Safety Commission, representatives from Austin Emergency Management and Austin Public Health outlined measures to assist people experiencing homelessness, older adults and residents who have limited access to transportation or air-conditioned spaces.
Austin Public Health officials said they continue to monitor heat-related emergency department visits, emergency medical service responses and deaths in Travis, Williamson and Hays counties. The data helps the city identify communities where additional outreach and resources may be needed.
Officials also discussed the city’s network of cooling centers, saying the facilities remain available but are not being used as much as expected. The city has launched surveys and community outreach to determine whether residents know about the centers, can access them and what barriers may discourage their use.
Trinity Center Austin reopened its seasonal cooling shelter last week for the third consecutive summer to provide relief for people exposed to extreme temperatures.
“We saw nearly 6,000 people last summer alone,” Trinity Center Operations Coordinator Carter Leer said. “We’ve already seen about 350 in our first week.”
Leer said access to cooling shelters can reduce the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
“The heat is just so difficult for people to handle, especially this time of year,” Leer said. “They’re not able to focus. They’re not able to relax. They’re not able to sleep.”
City officials encouraged residents to use available cooling centers and other heat relief resources as temperatures continue to climb. Information on cooling centers and heat safety resources is available through the City of Austin and local organizations, including Trinity Center.
