A prolonged heat wave maintained its grip on southeast Michigan on Wednesday, forcing several Metro Detroit communities to ramp up efforts to help residents stay cool, from opening cooling centers to cutting prices to visit local pools.
The hot weather, which is expected to continue through Friday before returning to more seasonable temperatures on Saturday, prompted organizers to cancel one Juneteenth event on the Dequindre Cut.
The event was canceled "due to the threat of extreme weather," said the Detroit Riverfront, which oversees the Dequindre Cut, on X.
Dozens of cooling centers were open Wednesday across the region while officials in Dearborn cut admission to local pools. Health officials, meanwhile, warned those who have to be outside to be cautious and take extra steps to stay hydrated.
Margaret Butler of Detroit, who was downtown looking for Juneteenth activities early Wednesday afternoon with her 2-year-old grandson, Colby, said she was OK with the heat. Still, she appreciated that Detroit has multiple cooling centers open.
"I'm so used to this weather, it really doesn't bother me," she said. "Except for him. It's him that I worry about."
The region's daytime temperatures are expected to hit the upper 80s and 90s the rest of the week, according to the National Weather Service. The temperature Wednesday was expected to climb to 95, the forecast said. That matches the record for June 19 set in 2012.
The average high temperature for June 19 is 81, according to weather service data.
The warm weather has prompted dozens of cooling centers to open across the region, from Detroit to Sterling Heights. Warren opened the Owen Jax Community Center as a cooling center from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
"With our city buildings closed in observance of Juneteenth, the mayor found an alternative solution," said city spokesperson Clarissa Cayton in an email.
Detroit and Flint remain under excessive heat warnings through 8 p.m. Friday. Cities and health experts have warned about heatstroke, which is a serious medical condition and can happen quickly. Signs of heatstroke can include nausea, confusion, and changes in pulse.
Free admission to Dearborn pools
Dearborn residents, meanwhile, can get in free to two of the city's outdoor pools through Friday, the mayor's office announced Tuesday. The Ford Woods Park Pool at 5700 Greenfield Rd. is open from 1-6 p.m., and the Dunworth Pool in Levagood Park at 802 N. Denwood Street is open from 1-8 p.m.
Visitors have to show a photo ID with their address as proof of Dearborn residency, according to a news release. Pool admission is always free for residents 13 and younger.
“Our public pools continue to be one of the best public amenities available to all Dearborn residents," said Mayor Abdullah Hammoud in a statement. "We hope families are able to take advantage of this free pool period to cool off while using additional precautions during this particularly intense heat wave.”
The Detroit Zoo responds to the heat
At the Detroit Zoo, officials said during hot periods such as now they add sprinklers to a lot of the animals' habitats.
Grace Fuller, the zoo's director of animal welfare, said the zoo also is making ice treats for polar bears using 20-gallon tubs. Other animals get ice treats that are similar to popsicles.
Fuller, director of animal welfare for the Detroit Zoo, said the zoo provides animals with habitats that allow them to make choices "so that they can do what they need to do to feel comfortable and safe." She said all of the zoo's large habitats have shade structures and trees, and some have pools.
"At the end of the day, we don't know exactly how they're feeling and so we need them to just have the tools to make the choice to go somewhere to cool off when they need to," she said.
She said many animals have access to behind-the-scene, air conditioned spaces where they can go if they're feeling hot.
What road departments are doing
Road employees, meanwhile, are among the workers in Metro Detroit who have to work outside in the heat.
Craig Bryson, senior communications manager for the Road Commission for Oakland County, said the commission adds more breaks, at the discretion of supervisors, during heat waves. He said the commission also provides workers with water and a drink with electrolytes.
He said commission supervisors watch closely and make sure the workers are doing okay.
“If somebody seems a little exhausted or something, they make sure they take an additional break, get out of the sun for a little while,” he said.
Bryson said the employees are off on Wednesday because of Juneteenth but will be back on Thursday. Road commission workers do tasks like pothole patching and drainage repair, he said.
Eric Dimoff, public information officer for Macomb County Department of Roads, said the safety of staff is of "the upmost importance" to the department. He said the department encourages its employees to stay hydrated and stay out of the heat as much as possible.
He noted that the department is able to limit the time people spend in the heat by having personnel rotate with one another to cool off in their vehicles. He also said a lot workers have heat gear, including shirts made out of a material that keeps them cool.
Available cooling shelters
Detroit will keep Farwell Recreation Center and Joseph Walker Williams Recreation Center open overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday, the city announced. Otherwise, Detroit's recreation centers and public library branches are open as cooling centers during normal hours. Recreation centers are open during the following times:
- Adams Butzel Complex, 10500 Lyndon: Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m
- Butzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval Ave.: Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Clemente Recreation Center, 2631 Bagley St.: Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Farwell Recreation Center, 2711 E. Outer Dr.: Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Lasky Recreation Center, 13200 Fenelon St.: Monday - Friday from noon - 8 p.m.
- Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Rd.: Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Patton Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere St.: Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Kemeny Recreation Center, 2260 S. Fort St.: Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Crowell Recreation Center, 16630 Lahser Rd.: Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Heilmann Recreation Center, 19601 Crusade St.: Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
All Detroit Public Library locations are also available as cooling centers during the normal hours.
Department lobby is also open 24 hours a day in case residents need a place to cool down, the city also said.
Wayne County cooling shelters
Wayne County has 27 facilities available as cooling centers. The locations, hours and contact information are here.
Oakland County cooling shelters
A map of cooling centers can be found here. A green icon indicates a location is currently in operation, according to the county. The county has 15 centers available as of Tuesday evening.
Macomb County cooling shelters
The locations and contact information for 22 cooling centers is here. The facilities have water and restrooms available, the county says.
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