Cobb County is expecting high temperatures this Fourth of July, and the Family Life Restoration Center is taking precautions to help those in need.
The center opened a brand-new cooling center Monday to combat the mid-90 temperatures expected for this holiday weekend.
Family Life and Restoration Center is a nonprofit in Mableton dedicated to educating, feeding, clothing and sheltering families in need of basic necessities.
Executive Director Luther Washington developed the idea for a cooling center last Thursday after seeing a client nearly pass out due to the extreme heat.
"A person could have a stroke out here in this heat," Washington said. "...that (moment) was the icing on the cake."
Over the weekend, Washington and other center volunteers converted a donation distribution center and warehouse the organization owned into a temporary cooling center to help clients who are stuck in the heat.
Clients who attend the center will receive cold drinks and snacks as they cool off in air-conditioning. The facility's amenities include recliner chairs, TVs, books and games. Washington said clients will also receive lunch and a hot meal to go.
Angela Washington, office manager and co-founder of the center, said at the moment, the facility can hold up to 20 clients.
"We have clients who are sitting in their cars at this time as well," Angela Washington said. "It's a space for them to get out of the heat."
The Family Life Restoration Center's cooling center is located at 6328 Mableton Parkway in Mableton and will be open any day the temperature is above 90 degrees. Business hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sam Marlow, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, said the heat index is expected to reach between 104 and 106 degrees Fahrenheit this Fourth of July.
"You are definitely going to have to make sure you're getting plenty of water and taking safety precautions," Marlow said.
According to the National Weather Service, Thursday is expecting a high near 94 degrees with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
The weekend is expected to be about the same type of conditions, Marlow said.
Heat index will continue to reach around 100 degrees Friday and Saturday, with actual air temperatures expected to be in the low to mid-90s. Sunday might be a little bit cooler at 94 degrees, but it will still feel hot and humid, according to Marlow.
Rain chances will also continue into the holiday weekend, which Marlow said should help with the heat.
The National Weather Service recommends drinking plenty of water, taking frequent breaks, and getting as much air conditioning as possible to help combat the heat.
"Being in the shade isn't going to reduce the heat effects from the sun too much," Marlow said. "But any way you can reduce your exposure to the sun, that is going to help as well."
The Cobb County government reports that the Hope House Cooling Center in Marietta is also open in anticipation of the elevated temperature. The center will be open noon to 6:30 p.m. daily through Wednesday, July 10. Clients will receive lunch and dinner before their departure. The Hope House is at 1297 Bells Ferry Road, Marietta.
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