A Code Red Extreme Heat Alert has been issued for Tuesday, Aug. 28 and Wednesday, Aug. 29, the Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said Monday.
With high temperatures and oppressive humidity, the heat index is expected to exceed 100 degrees both days. Code Red alerts are declared when the heat is expected to be severe enough to present a "substantial threat to the life or health of vulnerable Baltimore residents," Wen's statement said.
Residents are advised to avoid the heat and take precautions if going outdoors. Heat puts stress on the body and can have cumulative effects, particularly for those with chronic medical issues.
To offer respite for city residents, the Mayor's Office of Human Services Community Action partnership will open the following cooling centers from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days:
- 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 Baltimore City Health Department’s Division of Aging and CARE Services will also open the following senior centers from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday:
- Waxter Center for Senior Citizens - 1000 Cathedral Street, (410) 396-1324
- Oliver Senior Center - 1700 Gay Street, (410) 396-3861
- Sandtown-Winchester Senior Center - 1601 N. Baker Street, (410) 396-7725
- Baltimore Hatton Senior Center - 2825 Fait Avenue, (410) 396-9025
- John Booth Senior Center - 2601 E. Baltimore St., (410) 396-9202
- Zeta Center For Healthy And Active Aging - 4501 Reisterstown Rd., (410) 396-3535
The Department of Recreation and Parks will also extend pool hours.
Harford County is also preparing for the extreme heat.
Their Public Library Branches will serve as cooling centers on Tuesday and Wednesday. They will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m, with exception to the Darlington location which opens at 3 p.m. You can find a branch at the following locations:
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
Health Department officials recommend residents to take the following precautions to stay safe in the heat:
- Check on older, sick, or frail neighbors who may need help in the heat
- 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
- 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
