County Warning for Triple-Digit Heat Through Aug. 15 Includes Whitewater

A heat warning for daily high temperatures above 100 degrees has been extended for desert areas east of the San Gorgonio Pass, and the warning area includes Whitewater, Riverside County health officials said Wednesday.

Highs in Whitewater could reach 105 by this weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Highs above 95 are expected in Banning and Beaumont.

Highs in Cabazon could approach 100, but Cabazon is not in the warning area, according to county health officials.

Banning and Beaumont can expect highs in the low to mid 90s through this week, according to the Weather Service.

Due to weather forecasts for Whitewater, county health officials encouraged vulnerable individuals, including children and the elderly, to visit local, designated cool centers during the extended period of high heat.

There is no designated cool center in Whitewater. The cool center in Cabazon is at James A. Venable Community Center at 50390 Carmen Ave.

If the community center is not open, residents can visit public air-conditioned facilities such as Morongo Casino, the Cabazon and Desert Hills shopping outlets, the Starbucks or a local restaurant, said Danyte Mockus, an epidemiologist who assists with heat surveillance for the county public health department.

Designated cool centers in Banning and Beaumont include the at 789 N. San Gorgonio, and at 1310 Oak Valley Parkway.

Cool centers for pets listed by the county include at 1346 E. Ramsey St.

County health officials recommended residents of the San Gorgonio Pass remember the following to avoid heat-related emergencies:

- Drink water to prevent dehydration.

- Stay indoors and make every attempt to stay cool - close window blinds, use air conditioner.

- Avoid direct sunlight during peak hours.

- Do not leave children, elderly, disabled individuals or pets inside vehicles.

For more information or for a list of cool center locations, call (888) 636-8676 or visit www.rivcohealthdata.org.

Speech or hearing impaired individuals may call TTY (951) 955-5126. For a list of summer-weather information and health recommendations, visit www.capriverside.org.