As temperatures push toward 90 degrees this week, the city of Tacoma is prepared to activate cooling centers and to provide water, masks and other supplies to people in need.
According to the National Weather Service’s HeatRisk map, heat-related impacts in Tacoma this week as of Monday will range from “minor” — heat that affects people who are extremely sensitive to heat — to “moderate”— heat that affects most individuals who are sensitive to heat. The city of Tacoma will distribute supplies and support day centers in the event of moderate levels of heat. It will also pause non-emergent encampment removals from public property and city rights-of-way if heat levels exceed moderate by the National Weather Service’s standards.
“We have ensured that there is sufficient water available at the stability site for pickup and that our partners are prepared to supply resources accordingly,” a recent report from interim city manager Hyun Kim to the City Council reads…