CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Local government agencies and emergency personnel are deploying a network of emergency resources as extreme temperatures and dangerously high heat indices threaten the Charlotte metro area through the weekend.
Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office are collaborating with homeless service providers to coordinate shelter, hydration, and transportation for vulnerable residents on Thursday, Aug. 13, and Friday, Aug. 14.
To ensure individuals can reach safety, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is providing rides to designated cooling stations, which include local day services centers, recreation facilities, senior centers, and public spraygrounds.
Emergency organizers have opened several climate-controlled locations across the county. Roof Above is operating its Day Services Center at 945 N. College St. in Charlotte on Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with weekend hours running from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Additionally, The Relatives is hosting its On Ramp program for young adults ages 16 to 24 at 2219 Freedom Dr. during standard weekday hours. Outreach teams are actively visiting encampments to distribute water and direct unsheltered individuals to relief sites.
Six regional recreation and senior centers—including the David B. Waymer Center in Huntersville and the Northern Regional Center in Cornelius—have been opened for public cooling. Local spraygrounds across Charlotte and Mint Hill are operating daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., while the Double Oaks and Cordelia public pools are accepting visitors from noon to 6 p.m. on staggered weekday schedules. Public libraries are also available as cooling environments during their normal operating hours.
Mecklenburg County Public Health officials are urging all residents to take immediate precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses. Recommendations include limiting outdoor physical activity, staying hydrated, utilizing air conditioning, and wearing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
Health officials emphasized that infants, pregnant women, adults over 65, outdoor workers, and individuals with chronic heart or lung conditions face the highest risk of severe complications during the heat wave.
Infographic highlighting the signs, symptoms, and useful guidance for heat-related illness. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Operations Center)
Learn more about how to manage extreme heat from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Residents can also download this heat-related infographic highlighting signs, symptoms, and useful guidance.
Shelter Information
Roof Above: For people living unsheltered and need a place to get out of the heat, Roof Above’s Day Services Center, 945 N. College St. in Charlotte, is open Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Relatives: On Ramp program is available to young adults ages 16-24, 2219 Freedom Dr. in Charlotte, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed weekends and select hours on holidays.
Outreach staff continue to visit homeless encampments to provide information about relief locations and water if needed.
Recreation and Senior Centers
The following Park and Recreation centers are open for residents seeking relief from the heat with Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) offering rides on the designated routes:
- David B. Waymer Recreation Center, 14008 Holbrooks Road., Huntersville, Route 48x
- Eastway Regional Recreation Center, 3150 Eastway Park Dr., Charlotte, Route 39
- Ivory/Baker Recreation Center, 1920 Stroud Park Court, Charlotte, Routes 21/26
- Northern Regional Recreation Center, 18121 Old Statesville Road., Cornelius, No bus service
- Revolution Park Sports Academy, 1225 Remount Road., Charlotte, Routes 2/10
- Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Road., Charlotte, Closest route 12 or Lynx Blue Line Tyvola Station
Recreation and senior center locations and regular hours of operation are available online. Days and hours of operation vary throughout the weekend.
Pools, Spraygrounds, and Libraries
Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center, 2014 Statesville Ave., is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through Aug. 23, noon to 6 p.m.
Cordelia Pool, 2100 N. Davidson St., is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through Aug. 23, noon to 6 p.m.
Aug. 29 through Sept. 7, outdoor pools will open Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day only, noon to 6 p.m.
The following Mecklenburg County spraygrounds are available daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.:
- Clarks Creek Community Park, 5435 Hucks Road
- Cordelia Park, 600 E. 24th St.
- Ezell Park, 4155 Mintwood Dr. in Mint Hill
- First Ward Park, 301 E. Seventh St.
- Latta Park, 601 E. Park Ave.
- Nevin Park, 6100 Statesville Road
- West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2401 Kendall Drive
- Veterans Park, 2136 Central Ave.
Mecklenburg County pool and sprayground locations, regular hours of operation, and other information are available online.
Additional splash pads in the area include:
- Smithville Park, 19710 South Ferry St. in Cornelius. Open daily.
- Mint Hill Community Center, 11524 Bain School Rd. in Mint Hill. Open daily.
Charlottte Mecklenburg Library locations are generally open to the public from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays.
Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will offer rides to the listed day services centers, recreation centers, senior centers, and spraygrounds, which are designated as cooling stations.
How to Help: Residents can reach out to one of Mecklenburg County’s many partners to learn how and what to donate to help the homeless community.
