Communities across Maine have opened cooling centers to provide relief from dangerously high temperatures and humidity expected to continue through the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
The National Weather Service has issued extreme heat warnings and heat advisories for large portions of the state. Heat index values could reach between 105 and 110 degrees in some areas, while communities under heat advisories could experience heat index values approaching 104 degrees.
The heat is expected to peak Thursday and Friday, with widespread temperatures in the 90s outside Maine’s mountain regions. High humidity and warm overnight temperatures could provide little relief before conditions begin to improve over the weekend. Thunderstorms are also possible through Friday.
The Maine Emergency Management Agency and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention are urging residents to take precautions, including drinking water regularly, avoiding strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day and checking on older adults, children and people with medical conditions.
Cooling centers reported to MEMA include the following locations. Hours may change, and residents are encouraged to call ahead when possible.
York County
Acton Town Hall, 35 H Road, Acton, will be open Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Arundel Town Hall, 257 Limerick Road, will be open Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Berwick Fire Department, 3 Public Safety Way, will be open Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Water will be available.
Bon Appetit Community Meal Program, 19 Crescent St. in Biddeford, will be open Thursday and Friday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center, 35 South St. in Biddeford, will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Buxton Town Hall, 85 Portland Road, will be open Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cooling space may be available Friday and Saturday by calling Buxton Dispatch at 207-929-5151.
Eliot Baptist Church and Neighbors Food Pantry, 912 Dow Highway, will be open Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The center will provide water, Wi-Fi and device charging.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 22 Storer St. in Kennebunk, will be open Thursday and Friday from noon to 4 p.m.
Kennebunk Free Library, 112 Main St., will be open Thursday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kennebunkport Police Station, 101 Main St., will be open Thursday and Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. as a cooling and charging station.
Kittery Community Center, 120 Rogers Road, will be open Thursday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Rice Public Library, 8 Wentworth St. in Kittery, will be open Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.
Libby Memorial Library, 27 Staples St. in Old Orchard Beach, will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Old Orchard Beach Recreation Department at the Ballpark, 7 Ballpark Way, will be open Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Salvation Army, 2 Sixth St. in Old Orchard Beach, will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ogunquit Fire Department, 13 School St., will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saco Transportation Center, 138 Main St., will be open Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Shapleigh Community Center, 24 Back Road, will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
South Berwick Public Library, 27 Young Road, will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wells Public Library, 1434 Post Road, will be open Thursday from 1 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wells Public Safety Building, 1563 Post Road, will be open Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
York Public Library, 15 Long Sands Road, will be open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cumberland County
Thomas Memorial Library, 6 Scott Dyer Road in Cape Elizabeth, is available during regular business hours, including Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
New Gloucester Community and Recreation Center, 25 Campus Drive, will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Falmouth Memorial Library, 5 Lunt Road, will be open Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be closed Friday and Saturday.
Family Ice Arena, 20 Hat Trick Drive in Falmouth, is available Thursday from 4 a.m. to midnight and Friday from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Freeport Community Services, 53 Depot St., will be open Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Gray Public Library, 5 Hancock St., is listed as a cooling center through Friday.
North Yarmouth Fire Rescue Station, 463 Walnut Hill Road, will be open Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Charging, Wi-Fi and water will be available.
Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square, will serve as Portland’s cooling center Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Troubh Ice Arena, 225 Park Ave. in Portland, will serve as the city’s cooling center Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Scarborough Public Library, 48 Gorham Road, will be open Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Charging, Wi-Fi and water will be available.
South Portland Community Center will be open Thursday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The ADA-accessible location offers water, Wi-Fi and device charging.
South Portland Public Library, 482 Broadway, will be open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Walker Memorial Library, 800 Main St. in Westbrook, will be open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The library offers water, computer access and device charging.
Westbrook Community Center, 425 Bridge St., will be open Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Windham Public Library, 217 Windham Center Road, will be open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Yarmouth Town Hall Community Room, 200 Main St., will be open Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Androscoggin County
Alter L-A Shelter, 70 Horton St. in Auburn, is open around the clock.
Auburn Senior Community Center, 48 Pettengill Park Road, will be open Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bottled water will be available.
Auburn Public Library, 49 Spring St., will be open Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Lisbon Police Department lobby, 300 Lisbon St., is available as a cooling and charging center around the clock as needed.
Mechanic Falls Fire Rescue, 106 Lewiston St., will be open Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Poland Town Hall, 1231 Maine St., will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wales Town Office is available during regular office hours and offers device charging, ADA access and space for pets.
Kennebec and Somerset Counties
Augusta Civic Center, 76 Community Drive, will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors should enter through the south entrance and follow signs to the Cumberland Room.
Pets are permitted at the Augusta center but must remain in a secure crate or carrier provided by the owner.
Gardiner Public Library, 152 Water St., will be open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The library will be closed Friday and Saturday.
Skowhegan Community Center, 39 Poulin Drive, is listed as available as a cooling center during the heat event.
Sagadahoc, Lincoln and Knox Counties
Bath City Hall, 55 Front St., will be open Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bottled water will be available.
Morse High School, 826 Shipbuilder Drive in Bath, will be open Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bowdoinham Fire and Rescue, 57 Post Road, will be open Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Bristol Town Office, 1268 Bristol Road, will be open Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Central Lincoln County YMCA, 575 Main St. in Damariscotta, will be open Thursday from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Water and ice pops will be available.
Damariscotta Town Office, 21 School Road, will be open Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Skidompha Public Library, 184 Main St. in Damariscotta, will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cold drinks and ice pops will be available, and the library may lend fans upon request.
Newcastle Fire Station Community Room, 86 River Road, will be open Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Electrical outlets will be available for charging devices.
Nobleboro Town Office meeting room will be available Thursday during regular office hours.
Wiscasset Community Center, 242 Gardiner Road, will be open Thursday from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Union Town Office meeting room, 567 Common Road, will be open Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors should bring their own food and water.
Oxford County
Brownfield Community Center, 90 Main St., will be open Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fryeburg Recreation Center, 59 Recreation Drive, will be open Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The HILLS Recovery Center, 15 Tannery St. in Norway, will be open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Air conditioning and cold water will be available.
Otisfield Community Hall, 292 Route 121, will be open Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Porter Town Office, 71 Main St., will be open Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Penobscot, Piscataquis and Aroostook Counties
Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St., will be open Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will be closed Friday and Saturday.
Together Place Peer Run Recovery Center, 2 Second St. in Bangor, is offering an air-conditioned cooling space with cold water during daytime hours.
Dover-Foxcroft Town Office Community Room, 48 Morton Ave., will be open Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wi-Fi and device charging will be available.
Greenville Public Safety Building, 10 Minden St., will be open Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors should bring their own food and water.
Homeless Services of Aroostook, 160 Airport Drive in Presque Isle, will be open Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Water and snacks will be available.
Portage Lake Town Hall, 20 School St., is expected to remain available around the clock through July 5 and can accommodate approximately 75 people.
Residents should check MEMA’s Mass Care listing or contact their local municipality before traveling because locations and operating hours may be updated as weather conditions change.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of heat stroke, including confusion, loss of consciousness, hot and dry skin or an extremely high body temperature, should call 911 immediately.
It’s nice to see the heat is no longer a factor after 8PM