With an expected heat index of 105 degrees over the next two days, a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert has been extended through Tuesday, July 3 in Baltimore, and other counties are opening cooling centers.
The heat index indicates how hot the human body feels by measuring air temperature and relative humidity. Code Red Extreme Heat Alert's are usually issued when the heat is severe enough to present a substantial threat to the life and health of vulnerable citizens. On Sunday, a Code Orange Air Quality Alert was also issued, due to unhealthy air pollution levels, especially for those who are active and suffer from lung disease and asthma.
According to Baltimore City Health Commissioner Leana Wen, "Heat is a silent killer and a public health threat, particularly for the young, the elderly and those in our city who are the most vulnerable."
In response to the heat, the Mayor's Office of Human Services' Community Action Partnership will open the below listed cooling centers on Monday and Tuesday from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Northern Community Action Partnership Center
5225 York Road, (410) 396-6084 - Southern Community Action Partnership Center
606 Cherry Hill Road (inside the shopping center 2nd floor), (410) 545-0900 - Northwest Community Action Partnership Center
3939 Reisterstown Road, (443) 984-1384 - Southeast Community Action Partnership Center
3411 Bank Street, (410) 545-6518
The Health Department's Division of Aging and CARE Services will also open the following senior centers from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday:
- Waxter Center for Senior Citizens: 1000 Cathedral Street, (410) 396-1324
- Oliver Center: 1700 Gay Street, (410) 396-3861
- Sandtown-Winchester Senior Center: 1601 N. Baker Street, (410) 396-7725
- Hatton Center: 2825 Fait Avenue, (410) 396-9025
- John Booth: 2601 E. Baltimore St., (410) 396-9202
- Zeta Center: 4501 Reisterstown Rd., (410) 396-3535
Additionally, ShopRite located at 4601 Liberty Heights Avenue may be utilized as a community cooling center during their regular business hours.
In Harford County, the Harford County Public Libraries are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday.
On Mondays and Tuesdays, Harford libraries are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at all branches except for Darlington, which operates from 3 - 8 p.m.
The branch locations of Harford County Public Library are as follows:
- Aberdeen – 21 Franklin Street, Aberdeen, Maryland 21001
- Abingdon – 2510 Tollgate Road Abingdon, Maryland 21009
- Bel Air – 100 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Bel Air, Maryland 21014
- Darlington – 1134 Main Street, Darlington, Maryland 21034
- Edgewood – 629 Edgewood Road, Edgewood, Maryland 21040
- Fallston – 1461 Fallston Road, Fallston, Maryland 21047
- Havre de Grace – 120 N. Union Avenue, Havre de Grace, MD 21078
- Jarrettsville – 3722 Norrisville Road, Jarrettsville, Maryland 21084
- Joppa – 655 Towne Center Drive, Joppa, Maryland 21085
- Norrisville – 5310 Norrisville Road, White Hall, Maryland 21161
- Whiteford – 2407 Whiteford Road, Whiteford, Maryland 21160
Carroll County has also extended the availability of cooling centers:
They will be open during regular business hours at County Senior Centers and the Department of Citizen Services.
• Citizen Services Office Building, 10 Distillery Drive, Westminster (8 AM - 5 PM, Mon. - Fri)
• Mount Airy Senior and Community Center, 703 Ridge Avenue, Mount Airy (8 AM - 4:00 PM, Mon. - Fri)
• North Carroll Senior and Community Center, 2328 Hanover Pike, Hampstead (8 AM - 4:00 PM, Mon. - Fri)
• South Carroll Senior and Community Center, 5928 Mineral Hill Road, Eldersburg (8 AM - 4:00 PM, Mon. - Fri)
• Taneytown Senior and Community Center, 220 Roberts Mill Road, Taneytown (8 AM - 4:00 PM, Mon. - Fri)
• Westminster Senior and Community Center, 125 Stoner Ave., Westminster (8 AM - 4:00 PM, Mon. - Fri)
All branches of the Carroll County Public Library System will also be open as cooling centers during regular business hours, Monday – Thursday 9:00 AM – 8:45 PM; Friday and Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Both the Eldersburg and Westminster branches are also open on Sunday from 1:00-5:00 PM.
• Eldersburg Branch, 6400 Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg (also open Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 PM)
• Finksburg Branch, 2265 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg
• Mt. Airy Branch, 705 Ridge Avenue, Mt. Airy
• North Carroll Branch, 2255 Hanover Pike, Hampstead
• Taneytown Branch, 10 Grand Drive, Taneytown
• Westminster Branch, 50 East Main Street, Westminster (also open Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 PM)
In Howard County, people can visit Howard County’s senior centers, open Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., or Howard County Library branches, open Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Baltimore City Health Department recommends the following tips to stay healthy and safe during extreme heat conditions:
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine
- Reduce outside activities and stay inside in air-conditioned locations
- Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles, even for short periods of time
- Check on older, sick, or frail neighbors who may need help in the heat
- Watch out for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which include:
- Confusion
- Hot, dry, flushed skin or cool and clammy skin
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Call 911 immediately if any of these symptoms occur
Any city residents wanting more information is asked to call 311.
