With highs in the mid-90s expected through much of the week, Lancaster County’s senior centers and homeless services network are extending their hours to provide respite from the heat.
As of Monday, the region was under both a heat advisory and a Code Orange air quality alert.
The danger from today’s heat is “major,” according to the National Weather Service and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. The Code Orange, meanwhile, indicates a risk that ozone concentrations will rise high enough to be unhealthy for the elderly and other sensitive populations.
For tips from the CDC on staying safe during heat waves, click here.
Senior Centers
The following county Senior Centers will have extended hours through Wednesday, according to the Lancaster County Office of Aging:
- Columbia Senior Center – Columbia UM Church
510 Walnut Street, Columbia.
(Ph: 717-684-4850) Mon. & Tue.: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Elizabethtown Area Senior Center
70 S. Poplar St., Elizabethtown (Ph: 717-367-7984)
Mon. to Wed.: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Lancaster Neighborhood Senior Center
33 E. Farnum St., Lancaster (Ph: 717-299-3943)
Tue.: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Lititz Senior Center – Lititz UM Church
201 E. Market St., Lititz. (Ph: 717-626-2800)
Monday & Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Millersville Senior Center – St. Paul Lutheran Church
222 N. George St., Millersville. (Ph: 717-299-3943)
Mon. to Wed.: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Next Gen Senior Center
184 S. Lime St., Quarryville (Ph: 717-786-4770)
Mon. to Wed.: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - SACA Senior Center
545 Pershing Ave., Lancaster. (Ph: (717) 295-7989)
Mon. to Wed.: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Homelessness Service Network
The Office of the county Homelessness Coalition on Monday announced a “Code Red” alert, effective from Monday through Thursday.
Code Reds can be declared when the area’s “heat index” — a metric combining temperature and humidity — exceeds 100 for two days or more. Local service providers are asked to open their facilities to individuals who need to cool off, and to make cold water available.
The coalition’s office is based at the Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority, 28 Penn Square, Lancaster. It has cold water and bus passes for clients who need them to reach available air-conditioned sites. In addition, clients can seek shelter at the following agencies:
Lancaster
- Anchor Lancaster (29 E. Walnut St.): In addition to its daily breakfast (7 a.m. to 10 a.m.), Anchor is opening its Day Shelter from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Thursday.
- Lancaster County Food Hub (812 N. Queen St.): Drop-in day center is open from 1 to 4 p.m. daily.
- Salvation Army (131 S. Queen St.): Lobby is open during normal business hours, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Water Street Mission (210 S. Prince St.): Daytime shelter provided for all registered guests.
Elizabethtown
- ECHOS (105 E. Washington St.): ECHOS’ Lobby and Enrichment Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily through Thursday.
