🧊 It's dangerously hot

Feeling confused, dizzy, or done sweating in the heat?

That can be heat stroke — call 911 now. It kills fast.

Want a person right now?
Call 211 — they keep today's list of open cooling centers for the whole metro, both states. Free, 24/7.

Facts on this page checked online · July 26, 2026.

1. Get somewhere cool today — free

  1. Any public library. You can just sit there; no one will ask why. Find the closest at kclibrary.org (KCMO) or jocolibrary.org (Johnson County) or kckpl.org (KCK).
  2. KC Parks community centers are free cooling centers during days of high heat, during their regular hours: kcparks.org list. Call before you make the trip — hours change.
  3. Not sure what's open right now? Call 211. Lists change day to day in a heat wave.

2. Keep the power (and AC) on

  1. Missouri side: summer cooling help (ECIP) can pay the electric bill — see the utilities page.
  2. Missouri side: the Hot Weather Law blocks shutoffs June 1 – September 30 on any day the 72-hour forecast tops 95°F (or a 105°F heat index). If you get a shutoff notice in a heat wave, call the utility and say those words.
  3. Kansas side: honestly — Kansas has no hot-weather shutoff rule. Bill help matters more: see the utilities page or call 211 before the shutoff date.

3. Check on people

Older neighbors, people on certain medicines, and anyone without AC are at the most risk. A knock on the door saves lives during heat waves.