Central Coast health departments prepare for heat

Nine-year-old Cecily Stevenson loves when the weather is nice outside particularly for recess, but when temperatures reach into the 90’s, her mood changes.

“I get sweaty and really tired,” said Stevenson.

Cecily does two important things that the San Benito County Health Department say most adults forget when they get too hot.

“I drink a lot of water and I go in the shade a lot,” said Stevenson.

Right now there are no restrictions on outdoor recess activity at Central Coast schools. The San Benito and Montery County health departments and emergency services said while the next few days are going to be hot, there aren’t plans to set up any emergency cooling centers.

“Right now our big concern is drought. While heat is an issue it’s an issue every year. We would like the public to practice common sense; drink lots of water, and stay inside when it’s too hot,” said Kevin O’Neill director of San Benito County Emergency Services.

Santa Cruz County Health said it has no plans for a cooling center, but is prepared to set up a temporary one similar to San Benito County if it’s ever needed.

“We do have a designated cooling center at Bolado Park that we can activate and may activate,” said O’Neill.

For Stevenson there’s one place she knows she can still go to exercise and beat the heat.

“I swim a lot,” said Stevenson.

The health department says that’s another good idea from this “cool” 9-year-old if you’ve got the sunscreen handy.

In nearby Morgan Hill, city officials on Tuesday announced the opening of two cooling centers.

The following locations will be offering their lobby areas to the public for use as a place to find relief from the heat.

The Centennial Recreation Center (171 W. Edmundson Ave.) and the Community and Cultural Center (1700 Monterey St.) will be open Tuesday until 10 p.m., Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.