There are many ways to work together to create a more resilient urban landscape!

• Plant trees. Trees cool homes and neighborhoods by providing shade over sidewalks, pavement, and buildings. The leaves also produce water vapor that helps cool the surrounding air. To help increase our tree canopy, Iowa City plants and maintains street trees in public right of ways and provides vouchers to residents and businesses through the Root for Trees program to reduce the cost of planting trees on private property.

Root for Tree vouchers cover 50% of the cost (up to $125) or 90% of the cost for income qualified households (up to $225) of trees purchased from Early May or Iowa City Landscape and Design. When choosing trees, remember the saplings we plant today will need to survive in the hotter climate of the future. Consider the ten native species recommended by the Arbor Day Foundation that provide good shade and are able to withstand drier conditions.

• Use native plants in parks and lawns. Planting a variety of native plants can create similar microclimates that are cooler than turf grass alone, and they have the added benefit of being more drought resistant. Learn more about incorporating native plants into lawns through the city’s Lawn Love video series.

• Increase organic matter in the soil. Soil rich in composted material helps store more thermal energy, increases the holding capacity of the ground in heavy rain events, and supports plant growth for a more lush, cool landscapes. Native plants also help increase organic material in the soil, or you can get a jump start on the process through the city’s Your Best Lawn program that covers half the cost to have your lawn aerated and top dressed with organic material.

• Seal air leaks around windows and doors, increase insulation in your home, and choose roofing material that is highly reflective. Each of these measures can also make it easier to keep your home cool in high heat events, increase your overall day to day comfort in your home, and save money on your energy bills. A free home energy audit from the city’s Green Iowa AmeriCorps team can help find and address air leaks and provide recommendations for next steps. Find good information about smart roofing options through the Department of Energy Cool Roofs webpage.

• Build connections with neighbors. Resilient neighborhood arise where people know each other and can check on each other during high heat and other extreme weather events. Learn how to get more involved with Iowa City's Neighborhood Associations. 

During high heat events, Iowa City provides cooling centers as places to escape the heat, prevent against social isolation, and connect with additional resources.

Cooling centers in Iowa City can be found at the following locations:

• The Senior Center, 28 S Linn St.
• Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S Gilbert St.
• Mercer Aquatic Center and Scanlon Gym, 2701 Bradford Dr.
• Iowa City Public Library, 123 S Linn St.
• Splash Pads and City Pools
  • City Park, 200 Park Rd.
  • Fairmeadows Park, 2451 Miami Dr.
  • Wetherby Park, 2400 Taylor Dr.
  • Tower Court Spray Pad, 1124 Tower Ct.

Some simple measures taken now can help increase the comfort and safety of your home in the event of high heat events. These include:

• Covering windows with drapes or shades.
• Weather-stripping doors and windows.
• Using window reflectors such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard to reflect heat back outside.
• Adding insulation to keep the heat out.
• Using a powered attic ventilator, or attic fan, to regulate the heat level of a building’s attic by clearing hot air.
• Installing window air conditioners and insulate around them.

Unsure where to start? Schedule a free home energy audit with Green Iowa AmeriCorps to receive an assessment specific to your home, recommendations, and resources.

Many people underestimate the dangers of extreme heat, which can increase the risks of underlying health risks and interfere with common medications. Know the facts about extreme heat with this information sheet from FEMA.

• Extreme heat often results in the highest annual number of deaths among all weather-related disasters.
• In most of the U.S., extreme heat is a long period (2 to 3 days) of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees.
• Extreme heat can happen anywhere.
• Children, the elderly, and people with ongoing health conditions are at greater risk.
• Humidity increases the feeling of heat as measured by a heat index.

If you are under an extreme heat warning:

• Find air conditioning, if possible.
• Check on family members and neighbors.
• Avoid strenuous activities.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Wear light clothing.
• Never leave people or pets in a closed car.
• Watch for heat illness.
• Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Be safe during a high heat event:

• If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
• Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees. You could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature.

Recognize and respond. Know the signs and ways to treat heat-related illness:

• Heat Cramps
  • Signs: Muscle pains or spasms in the stomach, arms, or legs.
  • Actions: Go to a cooler location. Remove excess clothing. Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar. Get medical help if cramps last more than an hour.
• Heat Exhaustion
  • Signs: Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and fainting.
  • Actions: Go to an air-conditioned place and lie down. Loosen or remove clothing. Take a cool bath. Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar. Get medical help if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.
• Heat Stroke
  • Signs: Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees) indicated by an oral thermometer; red, hot, and dry skin with no sweat; rapid, strong pulse; dizziness; confusion; and unconsciousness.
  • Actions: Call 9-1-1 or get the person to a hospital immediately. Cool down with whatever methods are available until medical help arrives.