TYLER, Texas — It’s officially starting to feel like summer in East Texas. The temperature is rising, the sun has been beating down and finding shelter from this heat is critical.
In Tyler, there are numerous cooling centers where people can go to escape the sun, and one that’s available 24 hours a day can be found at the Salvation Army, located at 633 N. Broadway Ave. in Tyler.
"Very important for our unsheltered, when the temperatures get too hot, they can come in, like I said get some water, cool off, get out of the heat for a little bit. (And) for those in the community who may find themselves in need of a fan," said Indus McDuff, case management supervisor at the Salvation Army of Tyler.
The Salvation Army has two cooling stations, one at the center’s lodge entrance which is open 24/7, and another one in their social services building that’s available from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.
Another spot for cooling off is at the Tyler Public Library, where they’ve seen lots of people come through to get some cool air.
"We have seen quite a few people, and I can definitely tell that once they walk in the door -- and I feel it too when I come inside -- just from being outside for a few minutes, that it’s good to come into some AC," said youth librarian Amy Skipper.
In the sun Tuesday it was about 93 degrees, with a "feels like" temperature closer to 103 degrees, but it was a crisp 74 inside the Tyler Public Library.
Cooling centers like the library and the Salvation Army really provide an essential service for East Texans on these hot, hot summer days.
"If it wasn’t for the Salvation Army leaving us ice cold water all day long, we would die. Period," said Salvation Army patron Heather Dedman.
The Salvation Army center provides 24/7 access, cold water and even fans. The Tyler Public Library isn’t open all night, but it’s a great spot to check out for people needing to get away from the heat, get some work done or entertain the kids.
"You can come and get things to check out and take home, but you can just come for the day," Skipper said. "Actually where we’re standing we have some literacy kits, you can explore what’s in those, we have books you can come and read. Actually off to my side here, we have our playroom for kids. And so parents and families, they can just come on into our playroom and hangout for a while."
Tyler Public Library is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Both the Salvation Army and the Tyler Public Library will be available as cooling centers all summer long.