Allegheny County Issues Code Red Heat Advisory

PITTSBURGH, PA —Allegheny County is activating a Code Red Heat Advisory for June 11, ahead of an anticipated high near 90 that could pose a risk to vulnerable people.

The county said the activation follows guidance from the National Weather Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's HeatRisk tool, which evaluates the intensity and duration of heat and the related health dangers.

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Cooling centers will be open during the advisory to provide relief from the heat. People can call 211 or visit this site o find an open cooling center. Communities that want to add cooling center locations can submit them at this site.

As part of the county’s heat response, its Department of Human Services and partner agencies will check on older adults. That outreach will include home-delivered meals drivers and care management workers.

Senior Centers will continue operating on their regular schedules and can provide a cool place for community members seeking relief. Older adults can call SeniorLine at 412-350-5460 for help and can visit Allegheny Connect for a countywide list of senior centers.

Street outreach teams also will connect with people experiencing unsheltered homelessness and provide water and cooling supplies. Unhoused adults may go to Second Avenue Commons, 700 Second Avenue in Pittsburgh, every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Families experiencing housing instability are being directed to call the Allegheny Link at 1-866-730-2368.

Residents are being encouraged to check on neighbors, friends and family, especially older adults and people with health conditions, and to share information about cooling resources. County pools and spray parks are open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting.

Allegheny County Emergency Services said heat is the leading weather-related cause of death nationwide, surpassing floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and lightning. The agency is urging residents to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water, limit time outdoors during the middle of the day, and never leave children or pets in a car.

People who need to be outside are being advised to watch for signs of heat exhaustion, including dizziness, nausea, headache or excessive sweating. The county said that when in doubt, residents should take a break, cool down and seek help.