Help Available for RivCo Seniors During Heatwave

Help Available for RivCo Seniors During Heatwave During Coronavirus Outbreak

With high temperatures this week, Riverside County health officials remind seniors of available resources to help protect them from the heat. With the current governor’s executive stay at home order, county residents should remain in their homes during the heatwave.

Triple-digit temperatures are predicted throughout the week. Officials urge that seniors remain at home and use their air conditioners to stay cool, then reach out to the Riverside County Office of Aging for utility assistance when the bill arrives.

“We are working with the Office on Aging to connect seniors with services during this heatwave,” said Kim Saruwatari, director of Public Health for Riverside County. “Community Connect is a one stop shop. By dialing 2-1-1 from any phone in Riverside County, seniors can be connected with a number of services that are available.”

Cooling centers are normally located throughout the county at community centers, libraries, senior centers and other locations. The cooling centers generally kick off June 1, but these sites are not prepared for an earlier opening, in part, because of the current response to coronavirus and the existing restrictions on public gatherings and social distancing requirements.

The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued an excessive heat warning for the Coachella Valley. The warning begins at 10 a.m. today, Tuesday, May 5 and extends until 9 p.m. Friday.

The weather service warns that the unusual early-season heatwave could send high temperatures between 103 and 108 each afternoon for the rest of the work week. The warming trend could bring record-breaking heat with temperatures likely peaking Wednesday or Thursday.