(Update, June 20): In light of continued forecasts of mid-90- temperatures, the Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition has extended its “Code Red” declaration through Sunday.
Under a Code Red, agencies that serve unhoused individuals are asked to provide extra assistance, such as daytime cooling centers or bottled water.
Central Pennsylvania, including Lancaster County, is under a heat advisory until 8 p.m. Saturday. Forecasts in coming days are for highs of 95 degrees Friday and 96 degrees Saturday and Sunday.
The temperatures are due to a “heat dome” that is setting records across the mid-Atlantic and New England. Conditions are expected to moderate in New England beginning Friday, but from Washington, D.C., southward, high heat will continue into next week.
Previously reported:
The Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition has declared a “Code Red” heat warning for Thursday and Friday.
The coalition issues Code Red alerts when the heat index (a combination of temperature and humidity) exceeds 100 degrees for two days or more. Social service providers are asked to make their facilities available in the daytime for unsheltered individuals who need refuge from the heat, and to have cold bottled water on hand.
The coalition is providing bottled water at its offices at the Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority, 28 Penn Square, Lancaster; as well as free bus passes for people who need to travel to air-conditioned sites.
The office is open during normal business hours, but will be closed on Wednesday for the Juneteenth federal holiday.
The following locations are providing shelter, the coalition said:
Lancaster
- Anchor Lancaster (29 E. Walnut St.): Day center open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Friday, June 21. Breakfast daily from 7 to 10 a.m.
- Lancaster County Food Hub (812 N. Queen St.) 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday.
- Low-Barrier Emergency Shelter (232 N. Prince St.): 12:30 to 4 p.m. today and Thursday. Cold water and sunscreen available.
- Salvation Army (131 S. Queen St.): lobby will be open during normal business hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Water available.
- Water Street Mission (210 S. Prince St.): Daytime shelter provided for all registered guests.
Elizabethtown
ECHOS (105 E. Washington St.): Enrichment center open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Friday.