Sussex County officials are once again opening their doors to residents seeking relief from the heat, as another dangerous stretch of hot weather is set to move into the area.
On Tuesday, July 14, county officials announced that a number of facilities will serve as designated cooling stations through Friday, July 17. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Sussex County that remains in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 15. During that time, temperatures are expected to climb toward 100 degrees, with humidity making it feel as hot as nearly 110 degrees. While this heat event is not expected to be as severe as what hit the region over the July Fourth weekend, it is still considered dangerous. Some relief may arrive by the weekend, when scattered showers and thunderstorms could bring temperatures back down into the low 90s.
Air-conditioned county facilities are open to the public during regular business hours. Those locations include:
County Admin Building
2 The Circle, Georgetown, DE
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Greenwood Library
100 Mill St., Greenwood, DE
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Tuesday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Milton Library
121 Union St., Milton, DE
Monday, Tuesday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
South Coastal Library
43 Kent Ave., Bethany Beach, DE
Monday, Tuesday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
In addition to these county sites, 11 independent community libraries throughout the area are also available as cooling stations during their normal hours of operation.
The State of Delaware has also opened cooling stations at select state buildings. For more information on those locations, residents can call 2-1-1 or visit the State’s website.
Sussex County paramedics will make periodic visits to county cooling station locations, as their schedules allow, to answer any heat-related questions or concerns. Free individual bottles of water will also be provided to visitors. Anyone stopping by a cooling station is encouraged to bring any medications or specialty items they may need.
A map of all designated cooling stations in Sussex County is available at https://tinyurl.com/bde2v3mv. For the latest updates on cooling station availability, residents can call (302) 855-1969.
Officials are urging everyone to stay indoors as much as possible, particularly during the peak heat hours of approximately 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Those who do need to go outside should take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water.
Hot Weather Safety Tips:
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, as lighter fabrics reflect sunlight rather than absorbing heat the way dark materials do. Stay in well-ventilated spaces and avoid heavy physical activity during the hottest part of the day. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic beverages.
It is important to recognize the warning signs of heat-related illness. Heat cramps can cause muscle pain and spasms following physical exertion. Moving to a cooler area, gently stretching the muscle, and sipping water can help. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are far more serious conditions. Heat exhaustion may present as a pale or flushed appearance, headache, or nausea. Heat stroke symptoms include a rapidly rising body temperature, loss of consciousness, a rapid or weak pulse, and quick, shallow breathing. Seek immediate medical attention if heat stroke is suspected.
Residents are also reminded to check in on elderly neighbors, friends, and family members, as well as young children, who may be especially vulnerable to extreme heat. Don’t forget pets — make sure they have extra water, access to shade, or a cool indoor space.
Conserving Electricity During the Heat Wave:
With temperatures and humidity expected to spike over the coming days, power demand will rise significantly. Sussex County Emergency Management is asking all residents and businesses to help prevent outages by reducing electricity use where possible.
Homeowners can help by setting air conditioners to 80 degrees or using fans as an alternative, and by minimizing how often refrigerators and freezers are opened. Turning off non-essential lights and appliances, and waiting until after 8 p.m. to run high-energy devices like washing machines and dryers, can also make a difference. Preparing lighter meals that don’t require heavy cooking — or using an outdoor grill or microwave instead of an electric range — is another helpful step. Keeping window shades, blinds, or curtains closed during the hottest part of the day will help block heat from entering the home. Moving lamps, televisions, and other heat-generating items away from air conditioner thermostats can prevent the system from running longer than necessary. Clearing furniture and other objects from in front of central air conditioning vents will allow cool air to flow more freely through rooms.
Businesses can also do their part by raising thermostat settings and switching off any lighting or equipment that is not in use.
Sussex County is also encouraging residents to take advantage of the county’s free Smart911 service by creating a Safety Profile for their household. These profiles can include details about a property, any special medical needs, and family contacts — information that could be critical for first responders during an emergency. Profiles can be created at www.smart911.com.
Sussex County Emergency Management will continue tracking conditions and will provide updates as needed. For the latest information, follow the county’s emergency management pages on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SussexCountyPublicSafety and on X at www.x.com/SussexCtyDE_EM.
