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Operation Safe Summer – Hottest July 4th in Rhode Island – Ever
The next few days will be the hottest July 4th holiday – EVER – Feel like temps between 98 and 112 Thursday and Friday – with the 4th the very hottest.
This will have many rethinking their plans – putting off those outdoor activities. Time to think ahead – that day is today – because after today we may not be able to think all that clear about what we really want to do – and what is safe to do.
The U.S. National Weather Service in Boston has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for Rhode Island, effective from Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM through Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 8:00 PM.
This extreme heat warning includes all of southern New England except the Berkshires and south coasts of Massachusetts
and Rhode Island…where the watch extreme heat watch remains in place. This will be a prolonged and dangerous
heatwave with little relief at night!
Think Out of the Box!
Keep in mind that public buildings that are open are a good source of immediate cooling – such as libraries, city halls, police stations in a pinch – even a dash into the local supermarket – and mall. An afternoon at the movies? Time to look at an art exhibit? Think out of the box!
Heat Wave Safety Tips
Preparing for the heat:
- Have plenty of drinking water.
- Locate your nearest cooling centers.
- Install air conditioners and use ceiling or standing fans
Preparing for a power outage:
- Keep devices charged and consider backup power.
- Prep meals that don’t require an oven or stove.
- Use passive cooling in your home: Cover windows to shade the room using curtains, towels, or even aluminum-foil-covered cardboard reflectors.
During a heat wave:
- Stay hydrated.
- Wear loose-fitting, light clothing.
- Limit outdoor activity.
- Take a cool shower or bath.
- Wear sunscreen.
- Avoid using your stove and oven.
- Don’t leave children or pets in cars. Even with the windows cracked open, interior temperatures can rise almost 20°F within 10 minutes. Watch out for metal in your car that may have become super hot – seat belt clips, car seats, even steering wheels – if you have the reflective screens for car windshields, now’s the time to use them.
- After a power outage, discard any perishable food that has been at temperatures above 40°F for 4 hours or more.
Cooling Centers
Below is a list of cooling centers throughout the state. If you do not see your community listed or to verify times and center locations, contact your local municipalities for more information. If you need additional assistance, call 2-1-1.
Providence
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Only certified service animals with documentation of status paperwork will be permitted inside cooling centers. No other pets will be allowed inside the facility.
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Free bottled water will be available at all cooling centers.
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Pools: Noon–7:00 p.m. (Extended Hours)
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Waterparks and Splash Pads: Noon–7:00 p.m. (Extended Hours)
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Waterparks and Splash Pads: Noon–5:00 p.m.
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12:00 PM and 4:00 PM games will not be shown
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FanZone will open at 6 pm for the 8 pm match
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3:00 PM game will not be shown
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FanZone will open at 6 pm and show matches at 7 pm and 11 pm
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2:00 PM game will not be shown
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FanZone will open at 4 pm and show matches at 6 pm and 9:30 pm
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Schedule TBD
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Umbrellas for additional shade
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A 30′ x 60′ shade tent
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Six industrial misting fans
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Frozen cooling towels
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Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
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Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty; avoid drinks with caffeine.
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Limit your outdoor activities to the evening hours if possible.
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Wear loose-fitting clothing that is light in color; wear brimmed hats and sunscreen SPF 15 or higher.
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Use a buddy system when working outdoors and take frequent breaks to cool down.
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Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and people with special needs.
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Do not leave children or pets in cars.
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Do not open fire hydrants to cool down, it is against the law; report any open fire hydrant to the fire department.
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Recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related emergencies.
Remember, the heat index is what the temperature actually feels like to your body when the humidity is combined with the air temperature. High humidity makes it harder for sweat to evaporate and cool you down, so it can feel much hotter outside than the thermometer shows!
What is a cooling center?
Cooling centers provide temporary relief from high temperatures in public spaces where community members already gather.
What to expect:
- Cooling centers are safe and secure places for individuals or families to stay cool. They are located in air conditioned buildings that are open to the public and often have pre-existing programming.
- Cooling centers serve as a place for the community to gather.
What not to expect:
- A cooling center is not a permanent shelter. There are no housing, medical, or behavioral health services.
- A cooling center cannot accommodate pets. Only registered service animals are allowed.
- A cooling center does not provide food. PEMA equips the centers with bottled water, but there is no guarantee or requirement for water distribution.
Other Cooling Centers
Crossroads Rhode Island
A local, “one stop shop” where individuals and households experiencing homelessness can begin the process of accessing housing, supportive services, and emergency shelter.
160 Broad Street, Open 24/7
Emmanuel House, 239 Public Street, 7:00PM – 7:00AM
Federal Hill House, 9 Courtland Street, Monday-Friday 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Providence Rescue Mission, 627 Cranston Street, Open 24/7 during extreme heat conditions
Pool Locations
Pools will open for the season on June 29, 2026 and will be open Monday through Saturday from 12:00PM to 5:00PM.
EXTREME HEAT EVENT HOURS
Wednesday 7/1
Pools Open Noon -7 PM (Extended Hours)
WaterParks/Splashpads Open Noon-7 PM (Extended Hours)
Thursday 7/2
Pools open Open Noon -7 PM (Extended Hours)
WaterParks/Splashpads Open Noon-7 PM (Extended Hours)
Friday 7/3 (Holiday)
WaterParks/Splashpads Open Noon-5 PM
Saturday 7/4 (Holiday)
WaterParks/Splashpads Open Noon-5 PM
POOLS:
Davey Lopes Recreation Center, 227 Dudley Street
McGrane Pool at West End Recreation Center, 404 Dexter Street
Al Magno Pool at Neutaconkanut Recreation Center, 675 Plainfield Street
Selim Madelin Rogers Recreation Center Pool, 60 Camden Avenue
Zuccolo Recreation Center Pool, 18 Gesler Street
Waterpark Locations
All water parks will open June 29, 2026, and will be open Monday through Saturday from 12:00PM to 5:00PM.
EXTREME HEAT EVENT HOURS:
Wednesday 7/1
Pools Open Noon -7 PM (Extended Hours)
WaterParks/Splashpads Open Noon-7 PM (Extended Hours)
Thursday 7/2
Pools open Open Noon -7 PM (Extended Hours)
WaterParks/Splashpads Open Noon-7 PM (Extended Hours)
Friday 7/3 (Holiday)
WaterParks/Splashpads Open Noon-5 PM
Saturday 7/4 (Holiday)
WaterParks/Splashpads Open Noon-5 PM
Al Carrington Water Park,, 64 Richardson Street
Billy Taylor Water Park, 124 Camp Street
Sackett Street Water Park, 100 Sackett Street
Harriet & Sayles Water Park, 375 Sayles Street
General Street Water Park, 11 West Drive
George West Water Park, 1266 Chalkstone Avenue
Fargnoli Water Park, 945 Smith Street
Fox Point Water Park, 505 Wickenden Street
Wallace Street Park, 1 Wallace Street
Pastore Park, Corner of Knight Street & Tell Street
Joslin Recreation Center, 17 Hyatt Street
Chad Brown Water Park, Chad Brown Street
West End Recreation Center, 404 Dexter Street
Father Lennon Park Splash Pad, 62 Camden Ave.
Community Libraries in Providence
Fox Point Library, 90 Ives Street, 401-331-0390, Wednesday & Thursday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm. Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday& Sunday: Closed
Mt. Pleasant Library, 315 Academy Avenue, 401-272-0106, Wednesday & Thursday, 9:30 am – 8:00 pm, Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm, Saturday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, Sunday: Closed
Olneyville Library, 1 Olneyville Square, 401-421-4084, Wednesday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Thursday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday, Closed
Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, 401-455-8000, Wednesday: 8:30 am – 7:00 pm, Thursday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Saturday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm, Sunday: Closed
Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street, 401-272-3780, Wednesday & Thursday, 9:30 am – 8:00 pm, Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm, Saturday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, Sunday: Closed
Smith Hill Library, 31 Candace Street, 401-272-4140, Wednesday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Thursday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday, Closed
South Providence Library, 441 Prairie Avenue, 401-467-2619, Wednesday & Thursday, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Wanskuck Library, 233 Veazie Street, 401-274-4145, Wednesday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm, Thursday: 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday, Closed
Washington Park Library, 1316 Broad Street, 401-781-3136, Wednesday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, Thursday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday, Closed
Sunday: Closed
Even though some of the cities and towns won’t have obvious places to go – again, think out of the box – splash pads – Pawtucket, Johnston, Cranston and Providence have those known to us – cities may not list the obvious ones like these.
CRANSTON:
