A Code Red Extreme Heat Alert has been declared Tuesday by the Baltimore City Health Department. The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for parts of the Baltimore metro Monday afternoon as the heat index value may reach around 110.
The heat index is a measure of air temperature and relative humidity and indicates how hot it feels to the human body. Temperatures could reach up to 100 degrees through Tuesday.
“Hundreds of people die every year from heat-related illness,” Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said. “Heat is a silent killer and a threat to the health of everyone in our city, particularly the young, the elderly and those with chronic diseases. In weather like this, it’s important for everyone to protect against hyperthermia and dehydration.”
The Mayor’s Office of Human Services’ Community Action Partnership opened the following cooling centers from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
Northwest Community Action Partnership Center 3939 Reisterstown Road, 443-984-1384 |
Northern Community Action Partnership Center 5225 York Road, 410-396-6084 |
Southeast Community Action Partnership Center 3411 Bank Street, 410-545-6518 |
Also, ShopRite Howard Park at 4601 Liberty Heights Ave. is open as a community cooling center during their regular hours. |
What Can You Do During the Extreme Baltimore Heat?
The Baltimore City Recreation and Parks will also extend pool hours. Here are some tips for undergoing the extreme heat situation:
- 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 and flushed skin or cool and clammy skin, lightheadedness, nausea
- Call 911 immediately if any of these symptoms occur
City residents who want information on the closest cooling center or who are concerned about a neighbor can call 311. Any city resident experiencing the signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke should also call 911.
Howard County and Harford County are both issued for the heat advisory until 8 p.m. Cooling centers are also open Monday and Tuesday in Harford County.
On Mondays and Tuesdays, Harford libraries are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all branches except for Darlington, which is open between the hours of 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The branch locations of Harford County Public Library are as follows: |
21 Franklin Street in Aberdeen |
3722 Norrisville Road in Jarrettsville |
120 N. Union Avenue in Havre de Grace |
1134 Main Street in Darlington |
629 Edgewood Road in Edgewood |
5310 Norrisville Road in White Hall |
655 Towne Center Drive in Joppa |
1461 Fallston Road in Fallston |
2510 Tollgate Road in Abingdon |
2407 Whiteford Road in Whiteford |
100 E. Pennsylvania Avenue in Bel Air |