Extreme Heat Resources - June 2025
June 23, 2025 - Cambridge is under an extreme heat warning with temperatures expected to be in the 90s today through Wednesday. With high humidity, the heat index could reach 110 degrees on Tuesday. Hot weather and extreme heat can cause serious illness and can be life-threatening. People who are experiencing homelessness, people age 65 and older, and those with pre-existing medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or respiratory illness are among those at greater risk for heat-related illness. Outreach teams and extended hours at select emergency shelters will be utilized to support the unhoused community during this week's heat wave. Outreach teams will be distributing water, cooling towels, hats, and sunscreen.
The City of Cambridge has posted resources and information about how to know the signs of heat-related illnesses and how to stay cool during extreme heat. Please visit this page for tips, information and flyers available in multiple languages: www.cambridgema.gov/heat
Residents are encouraged to use a Cambridge Public Library branch as a cooling location. Branch libraries will welcome people seeking to cool off during regular hours and will have water bubblers available. Branch hours and locations can be found on the City’s website: https://www.cambridgema.gov/cpl/hoursandlocations
Information about pools and waterplay locations are available at https://www.cambridgema.gov/Services/recpoolsandswimming and further resources on staying cool can be found here: https://www.cambridgema.gov/sustainable/coolsafecambridge
First Step Street Outreach – 617-592-6895
Outreach teams will be working from 2pm – midnight daily and the van is stocked with extra water, sunscreen, hats, and cooling towels. Transportation to shelters will also be offered.
The Cambridge Health Alliance street medicine team will be on the van Monday through Thursday with a community health worker and nurse practitioner.
Salvation Army - 617-547-3400: Salvation Army is extending daytime hours from 9am – 3pm for the next few days.
Emergency Services Center (240 Albany St) - 617-661-0600: 240 Albany St will have extended hours; people with assigned beds including overflow beds will be allowed to stay inside 240 to avoid the heat. The situation will be reassessed on Wednesday as we monitor the forecast.
CARE Team - 617-349-7200: The CARE team will be doing increased outreach and providing water starting 7am – 7 PM.
Shower Services - available at 240 Albany Street from 9am – 2pm daily; at Salvation Army drop-in daily and at University Lutheran Church (66 Winthrop Street) Monday through Friday from 9am – 3:30pm.
Fire and Police Departments - Cambridge Police Officers will distribute cold bottles of water to residents in need while they are out on patrol. Cambridge Fire personnel are placing extra water at all firehouses in the event residents come in looking for some. Cambridge Fire Department will also have water on all apparatuses and will keep an eye out for people in need as they are on the road across the City. Pro EMS will have cold water available in all ambulances.