Cooling center open at Community Center during heat advisory
Published 2:08 pm Tuesday, July 21, 2026
With high temperatures predicted for the next few days, the City of Renton has taken action.
From 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 21 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 temperatures in South King County are expected to be up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit with low temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to the National Weather Service to declare a heat advisory.
“We are opening the Federal Way Community Center (FWCC) as a cooling center during regular business hours July 21 and 22, due to the expected dangerous levels of heat,” said Mayor Jim Ferrell. “Some weather forecasts are predicting highs in the low-to-mid 90s in our region. The City of Federal Way is committed to ensuring the safety of our hard-working residents.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), excessive heat and heat stress is a leading cause of weather-related deaths and can exacerbate underlying illnesses including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health, asthma, and can increase the risk of accidents and transmission of some infectious diseases. Heatstroke is a medical emergency with a high-case fatality rate.
“The number of people exposed to extreme heat is growing exponentially due to climate change in all world regions. Heat-related mortality for people over 65 years of age increased by approximately 85% between 2000–2004 and 2017–2021,” said the WHO website.
The FWCC is open Monday to Friday, from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cooling center is open to the public free of charge, but no pets are allowed. The FWCC is at 876 S 333rd St. For more information, visit itallhappenshere.org.
