Savannah residents will have access to free cooling centers, pools, and splash pads this Saturday as heat index values could reach a dangerous 110 degrees.
🌡️ Why It Matters: Extreme heat can be deadly, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly, children, and those without access to air conditioning. These cooling options provide critical relief during what could be one of the hottest days of the year.
What is the Heat Index?: The heat index refers to what the temperature feels like when the air temperature is combined with relative humidity. The thermometer in your car may report 90 degree temperatures, but the humidity means that to your body, it will feel like it is over 100 degrees. The heat index is sometimes called the “apparent temperature.”
🏊 Where To Cool Off: The city is opening multiple facilities with air conditioning and water features:
- Community centers: Tompkins and W.W. Law Regional Centers (12 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
- Four city pools: Bowles C. Ford, Daffin, W.W. Law, and Tompkins (1:30-3:30 p.m. & 4:30-6 p.m.)
- Ten splash pads across the city, including Forsyth Park and Hudson Hill (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
🏠 For Those Experiencing Homelessness: Three locations will provide cooling relief:
- Union Mission (8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
- Come As You Are (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- Salvation Army (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
🐴 Safety Measures: The city will enforce its equine heat safety ordinance, prohibiting horse-drawn carriages from operating when the heat index exceeds 110 degrees or when temperatures reach 95 degrees.
⚠️ Health Precautions: Officials advise residents to:
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Stay in air-conditioned spaces
- Avoid direct sun exposure
- Check on vulnerable neighbors and relatives
- Never leave children or pets in vehicles
The Sources: City of Savannah, National Weather Service
How to Read and Understand The News
When reading news, remember:
- Truth doesn’t change because we dislike it
- Facts remain facts even when they make us uncomfortable
- Events happen whether we accept them or not
- Good reporting often challenges us
- The news isn’t choosing a position — it is relaying what official, verified sources have said.
- Blaming the press for bad news is like blaming a thermometer for a fever.
Before dismissing news that bothers you, ask:
- What evidence supports this story?
- Am I reacting to facts or feelings?
- What would change my mind?
- Am I “shooting the messenger” because I don’t like what is happening?
Smart news consumers seek truth, not just comfort.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
Here Are Some Tangible Ways You Can Support Local Journalism
We strive to make state and local journalism free to all readers. While we are an ad-supported site with no paywalls, support from readers and passionate community members make it possible for us to keep the news free to Georgia citizens.
Note: The Georgia Sun is not a 501(c)(3) organization. Your contributions help us provide local journalism, but they are not tax deductible.
