Orange County will open several facilities on Saturday to help give residents a reprieve from the extreme heat in the area.

Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 90s on Saturday with heat index values going well beyond 100 degrees. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for Orange County and much of central North Carolina from 10 a.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday.

Orange County officials said the following facilities will be open until 8 p.m. Saturday:

  • Passmore Center in Hillsborough (open at 9 a.m.)
  • Seymour Center in Chapel Hill (open at 8:30 a.m.)
  • Main Library in Hillsborough (open at 9 a.m.)
  • Rogers Road Community Center (open at 10 a.m.)
  • Cedar Grove Community Center (open at 10 a.m.)
  • Efland-Cheeks Community Center (open at 10 a.m.)

More information from the county is available here. Residents can arrange transportation to one of the cooling centers by calling Orange Public Transportation at (919) 245-2008. OPT will be offering these rides from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

County officials stressed that the cooling centers are offering a break from the extreme heat, but they are not established as shelters and will not be open for overnight stays. Anyone using these locations is asked to bring their food or water, if necessary.

Related Stories
‹
Orange County Activates Cooling Centers Through Fourth of July Weekend
Orange County announced it will activate cooling centers from July 3-5 as North Carolina braces for extreme heat over the weekend.
Orange County: Extreme Heat, Crisis Diversion Facility, Tax Administrator
Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners Jean Hamilton speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, July 1.
Orange, Chatham Counties Implement Plans For Extreme Heat as Summer Ramps Up
With this summer’s temperatures expected to go beyond last year’s, local governments are preparing for heat season like never before.
Dale Edwards on The News of Orange County's Top Summer Stories – On Air Today (August 19, 2026)
Dale Edwards, the managing editor for the News of Orange County, speaks with 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, August 19.
NCDOT Installing All-Way Stop at Rural Orange County Intersection
Crews from the North Carolina Department of Transportation will install an all-way stop at the intersection of North Carolina Highway 157 and New Sharon Church Road in northern Orange County. The installation is expected to take place Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the rural intersection, located northeast of Hillsborough. In a release, the NCDOT says it […]
The Morning News: Mark Chilton Retiring, UNC Returning
In today's news: longtime Orange County Register of Deeds Mark Chilton announces he's stepping down, a few months before the end of his term.
After 12 Years, Mark Chilton Stepping Down Early as Orange County Register of Deeds
Orange County Register of Deeds Mark Chilton announced Thursday that he's stepping down, a few months before his term was set to expire.
Orange County: Tax Assessment Work Group, Upcoming Events, and More
Vice-Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Amy Fowler spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, August 12, discussing county news and events. She talked about the Tax Assessment Work Group, which is examining how tax assessment is done in the county. She discussed the work that group is engaged in and the timeline for sharing their findings. She also talked about administrative costs of SNAP benefit administering, and new steep fines being levied at counties who have error rates. She also looked ahead to the August 25th meeting of the county commissioners and more.
Conversations We Need To Have: Voter Registration Drive with O.C. Chief Civil Rights Officer Paul Slack
Orange County Chief Civil Rights Officer Paul Slack joined 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday, August 10. He discussed recent work his office has been engaged in, discussed some recent plans and activities, and looked ahead to upcoming events in Orange County.
Orange High's Jason Johnson Reflects on National Principal of the Year Award and Returning to School
Orange High School Principal Jason Johnson added another accolade to his growing number of recognitions for his work with the school.
›