BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning Tuesday that is expected to last until Thursday night.
California's first heatwave arrives during a COVID-19 pandemic that has forced Kern County officials to keep cooling centers closed.
With temperatures expected to soar above 100 degrees between Tuesday and Friday, the Mission at Kern County homeless shelter is welcoming the public to use the facility's cooling center throughout the Summer.
The shelter's CEO, Carlos Baldovinos, everyone is invited, not just the unsheltered homeless community.
"If you're in need of help. Stay cool. Come down to the Mission, we will gladly help you and give you a cool place to stay," Baldovinos said.
The shelter has modified seating arrangements at their air-conditioned cooling facility to maintain social distancing.
Pop-up tents are also placed in their courtyard, where water stations are available for people to hydrate.
Meantime, Kern County officials told 23ABC News that they are monitoring CDC guidelines and will reopen cooling centers, if permitted.
