The excessive heat in Alachua County and most of Florida continues today with no end in sight. The heat index (feels like temperature) continues to be well over 100° and is expected to stay high for the foreseeable future. Alachua County Emergency Management continues to monitor this situation and would like to share the below information and resources for our residents and visitors.
Extreme temperatures place extra stress on the body and can be dangerous if you don’t know how to identify signs of heat-related illness. Although heat-related illnesses can affect anyone, the elderly, those without sufficient cooling resources, and individuals with pre-existing conditions are more likely to suffer from heat-related illnesses.
It is important during these times to check on your loved ones, neighbors, medically compromised, members of your house of worship, friends, and anyone else you know who may be especially vulnerable to excessive heat.
Use the below information to help keep yourself and those you care about safe and minimize the risk of heat-related illness:
Learn the warning signs for heat-related illness.
Heat Exhaustion
- Weakness, headache, dizziness, or fainting.
- Paleness.
- Unusually elevated heart rate.
- Fast and shallow breathing.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Muscle cramps
Heat Stroke
- Confusion altered mental status.
- Slurred speech, loss of consciousness.
- Hot, dry skin, profuse sweating, seizures.
- Extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
If your or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a heat-related illness, please call 911 for assistance.
Tips for keeping safe and prepared.
- Stay hydrated with water; avoid sugary and alcoholic beverages.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing.
- Stay cool in an air-conditioned area.
- Avoid engaging in strenuous activities during peak hours.
- Take a cool shower or bath.
- Check on friends, family, and neighbors that may be vulnerable to excessive heat
Public resources
If you lack access to adequate air conditioning or have financial concerns about the increased use of your AC, consider going to these public spaces:
- Alachua Branch Library: 14913 N.W. 140 Street, Alachua (Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday noon – 5 p.m.)
- Archer Branch Library: 13266 S.W. State Road 45, Archer (Monday & Sunday closed, Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – noon, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m.)
- Clarence R Kelly Center: 1701 N.E. 8th Avenue, Gainesville (Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday closed)
- Cone Park Branch Library: 2801 E. University Ave., Gainesville (Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday closed)
- Eastside Community Center at Cone Park: 2841 E.University Avenue, Gainesville (Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday closed)
- Hawthorne Branch Library: 6640 S.E. 221 Street, Hawthorne (Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m.)
- Headquarters Library – Gainesville: 401 E. University Avenue, Gainesville (Monday and Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m.)
- High Springs Branch Library: 23779 W. U.S. Hwy 27, High Springs (Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday noon – 5 p.m.)
- Library Partnership Branch – Gainesville: 912 N.E. 16 Avenue, Gainesville (Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday closed)
- Micanopy Branch Library: 706 N.E. Cholokka Boulevard, Micanopy (Monday and Sunday closed, Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Millhopper Branch Library: 3145 N.W. 43rd Street, Gainesville (Monday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m.)
- MLK Center: 1028 N.E. 14th Street, Gainesville (Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Newberry Branch Library: 110 S. Seaboard Drive, Newberry (Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m.)
- Tower Road Branch Library: 3020 S.W. 75th Street, Gainesville (Monday and Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m.)
- Waldo Branch Library: 15150 N.E. U.S. Hwy 301, Waldo (Monday and Sunday closed, Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
For more information, contact Alachua County Emergency Management Director Jen Grice at 352-264-6510 or
JGrice@alachuacounty.us.
