Baldwin County officials are opening a cooling center in Foley this week as a dangerous and prolonged stretch of heat settles over south Alabama, giving residents without reliable air conditioning a place to escape triple-digit heat indexes.
The Baldwin County Commission announced that the center will operate Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall, located at 506 North Pine Street in Foley. Water and light snacks will be provided during cooling center hours, and pets are welcome as long as owners keep them under control. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own personal comfort items, though the center will not offer overnight accommodations.
The church’s regular community meal will also be served Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. for anyone in need, giving residents an additional resource beyond the cooling center’s hours.
The move comes as the National Weather Service office serving Mobile and Pensacola has been tracking dangerous conditions expected to persist through the middle of the week. A heat advisory is currently in effect for the area, with heat indexes forecast between 108 and 112 degrees, and that advisory is expected to continue into the following day. An excessive heat watch has also been issued for coastal areas of Baldwin County, where the combination of high temperatures and humidity could push heat indexes as high as 110 to 115 degrees.
Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency officials say the conditions significantly raise the risk of heat-related illness, particularly for older adults, young children and people with chronic health conditions. The agency is urging residents to take advantage of the cooling center, drink plenty of water, avoid extended time outdoors and check in on neighbors who may be especially vulnerable to the heat.
Heat advisories and excessive heat watches are issued when a combination of high temperature and humidity is expected to create conditions that pose a health risk, particularly during outdoor activity or in homes without adequate cooling. Health officials generally recommend limiting outdoor exertion during peak afternoon hours and recognizing early symptoms of heat exhaustion, such as heavy sweating, dizziness and nausea.
Residents seeking more information about the Foley cooling center can call 251-256-8202. The church office is not handling inquiries related to the cooling center.