Please see message below and be aware of the excessive Heat Warning for Nevada County.  Please limit outside strenuous activities, encourage plenty of fluids and watch students and staff for signs of distress (Move to a cooler location at the first sign of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps); rest and slowly drink a cool liquid). 

The National Weather Service Sacramento has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for portions of Nevada County beginning Saturday morning through Tuesday evening. Higher temperatures can be dangerous for all people, especially the very young, senior citizens, pregnant women, and those with chronic medical conditions.

Nevada County’s Office of Emergency Services partners with Nevada County Public Health to review our plans for Excessive Heat Emergencies during high-heat events. Nevada County’s Department of Social Services is activating Cooling Centers for residents due to extreme daytime temperatures and minimal overnight recovery.

Beat the Heat at Cooling Centers this Weekend

As temperatures climb into the weekend, residents can beat the heat in cool public places, like your local Nevada County Library branch, grocery stores, or movie theaters. The Grass Valley Library and Madelyn Helling Library (Nevada City) are open until 6:00 p.m., and the Penn Valley Library is open until 4:00 p.m. through Friday, September 2^nd.

As we enter an Excessive Heat Warning Saturday, Cooling Centers will open at the Grass Valley and Penn Valley libraries from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday through Tuesday, September 3^rd through 6^th. Air-conditioned space and water will be available. Well-behaved pets on a leash are allowed, and both locations are ADA accessible. Library desk services will only be available during regular library hours, but residents can access the Wi-Fi and look at the materials while using the space.

Tips for Hot Weather:

• Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water*, especially before, during, and after outdoor activities.
• Take frequent breaks while working or playing outdoors.
• Wear loose-fitting, light clothing; wear a wide-brimmed hat to cover the face, ears, and neck if you’ll be outside.
• Apply sunscreen (at least SPF 15) 15 minutes before going outdoors and re-apply at least every two hours.
• Drink plenty of fluids but avoid beverages that have caffeine or alcohol.
• Plan strenuous outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day; limit time outside during peak heat.
• Pace physical activities, starting slowly and picking up the pace gradually.
• Wear sunglasses that provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Chronic exposure to the sun can cause cataracts.
• Check family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning. Higher temperatures can be especially dangerous for those who have conditions that make the body less able to regulate temperature.
• Move to a cooler location at the first sign of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps); rest and slowly drink a cool liquid.
• Never leave a child or pet in a parked car or asleep in the direct sunlight.
• Take care of pets! Make sure they have plenty of shade and water to drink. Don’t leave your pets in the car unattended during hot weather, and walk dogs when the temperature is cooler; asphalt can be over 50 degrees hotter than the outdoor temperature.
• If your doctor limits the amount of fluid you drink or take water pills, ask them how much you should drink when the weather is hot.

Helpful Links:

• California Department of Public Health Extreme Heat Tips and Information
• National Weather Service Sacramento Excessive Heat Warning
• California ISO System Alerts, Warnings and Emergencies Fact Sheet and Subscribe for ISO Flex Alerts