Union County towns open cooling centers to help residents cool off during heat wave expected to last the rest of the week.
With temperature reaching over 90 around New Jersey with high humidity will make it feel even warmer with heat indexes of upper 90s to 100 from the norm.
As a result, the National Weather Service has issued excessive heat alerts and poor air quality alerts recommending young children, the elderly and those with respiratory difficulties to limit outdoor activities.
The county recommended that residents stay indoors during the hottest hours between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and that they wear sun screen, hats, sunglasses and stay hydrated.
Libraries, shopping centers, recreation centers and senior centers are good places to cool off.
Below find a list of cooling center available around Union County (we will update list as more centers become available).
Elizabeth:
Sampson Senior Citizen Center, 800 Ana St. (908-820-4704)
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fanwood:
Chelsea Senior Living Center, 295 South Ave. (908-264-5144) 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
NOTE: If transportation is needed, call Fanwood police: 908-322-5000
Bring any medications and other necessary items with you to the centers.
Linden:
Linden Library, 31 East Henry St. (908-298-3830) Monday & Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday & Thursday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed Sunday.
John T. Gregorio Recreation Center, 330 Helen Street Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Saturday & Sunday.
Linden Multi-Purpose Center, 1025 John Street Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday & Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.;
Plainfield:
Plainfield Senior Center, 400 East Front Street 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
YMCA, 518 Watching Avenue Noon to 8 p.m.
Rahway:
Rahway Library, 2 City Hall Plaza 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Rahway Police Lobby Open daily (24hrs)
Rahway Senior Center, 1306 Esterbrook Avenue 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Rahway Recreation Center, 275 East Milton Avenue Open till 8:30 p.m.
Union Twp.:
Senior Center, 968 Bonnel Court (908-851-5290) 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Township Library, 1980 Morris Ave. (908-851-5450) Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed Saturday and Sunday.