March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 39 F

Local Heat Advisory Information

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With the intense heat predicted to be in the area through at least Sunday, many government agencies have opened their cooling centers and issued warnings and information.

Annapolis

With temperatures expected to reach dangerous levels over the next several days, Mayor Joshua J. Cohen announces that the Roger “Pip” Moyer Community Recreation Center at Truxtun Park will be opened as a cooling center starting tomorrow, July 21, and serve the public though Sunday, July 24, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The forecast calls for temperatures in the mid to upper 90’s though the weekend with heat the heat index reaching 105-degrees.

Water will be provided at the Roger “Pip” Moyer Community Recreation Center at Truxtun Park (273 Hilltop Lane), but those visiting the cooling center will not have access to recreation activities.

Through a partnership with Anne Arundel County, the Annapolis Senior Center at Wiley H. Bates (119 South Villa Ave.) will be opened tomorrow and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30, allowing an additional cooling station for Annapolis residents. The Salvation Army will be supplying the water and light snacks at both locations.

For more information, call the City’s Office of Emergency Management at 410-216-9167.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities in cooperation with the City’s Department of Transportation will provide transportation to and from the Pip Moyer Rec Center for any County or City resident, of any age or ability, until 4:30 p.m. today. Individuals who need transportation should contact the County’s Aging Department at 410-222-4826.

In addition, the Mayor advises residents to check on family members and neighbors who live without air conditioning. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), elderly people (65 years and older), infants and children and people with chronic medical conditions are more prone to heat stress.

“If you can offer people a cool indoor place to stay, that’s the best defense against heat-related illness,” Mayor Cohen said. “Employers and supervisors should ensure that all employees working outside have adequate breaks and fluids.”

Fire Chief David L. Stokes Sr. warns of the problems that come with the extreme heat, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. He said that crews usually experience an increase in medical calls during extended periods of hot weather.

“Heat-related illnesses are preventable,” Chief Stokes said. “The important thing is to stay well hydrated. The best fluid to drink when you’re sweating is water. It’s also important to be sensible about how much you exert yourself in hot weather. The hotter and more humid it is, the harder the body has to fight to cool itself.”

Symptoms of heat-related illness:

  • Heat cramps are muscle contractions that are connected to heat and dehydration.
  • Heat exhaustion is also a result of excessive heat and dehydration. The signs of heat exhaustion are paleness, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, fainting and increased temperature.
  • Heatstroke is the most severe form of heat illness. These people have warm, flushed skin and do not sweat. This is considered a critical medical emergency. These patients must have their temperature reduced quickly and taken directly to the hospital.

The CDC offers guidance on extreme heat:

  •  Air conditioning is a protective factor against heat-related illness.
  • During conditions of extreme heat, spend time in locations with air-conditioning such as shopping malls, public libraries or public health-sponsored heat-relief shelters in your area.
  • Get informed. Listen to local news and weather channels or contact your local public health department during extreme heat conditions for health and safety updates.
  • Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages and increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level.
  • During hot weather you will need to increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
  • During heavy exercise in a hot environment, drink two to four glasses (16-32 ounces) of cool fluids each hour.

Please also be advised:

  • If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.)
  • Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol, or large amounts of sugar. These actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
  • Replace salt and minerals: Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body. These are necessary for your body and must be replaced. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. However, if you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.

Anne Arundel County

The Anne Arundel County area, as well as, the rest of the State of Maryland, is experiencing severe summertime heat, humidity, and poor air quality.  These oppressive conditions are forecasted to remain in place for the next several days and have prompted an Excessive Heat Warning to be issued.  All County citizens/residents are encouraged to do the following:

  • Limit outside activities to early morning and early evening, when temperatures are the lowest.
  • Limit exercise regiment, listen to your body and moderate your activity accordingly.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.  Water is best, non-alcoholic beverages are good. Alcoholic beverages dehydrate the body and are counterproductive.
  • When possible, stay out of direct sunlight and wear sun-screen.  During the hottest times of the day, spend time in air conditioned spaces–such as: libraries, shopping malls and movie theaters.
  • If air conditioning is not available, take cool baths or showers to help cool down during the hottest times of the day.
  • Wear loose fitting, light colored clothing, dress for summer.
  • Never leave a child or pet unattended in a car.  In a very short period of time, the temperature inside a vehicle can exceed 150 degrees.
  • Children, the elderly and those people with chronic ailments are usually the first to feel the effects of episodes of high heat and humidity.  Use care in planning activities with these groups, regularly check on elderly neighbors.

In addition, this Excessive Heat Warning has prompted County Executive John R. Leopold to order the following Cooling Centers to be opened on Thursday, July 21, 2011 and  Friday, July 22, 2011.

With the opening of Cooling Centers in the County due to the extreme heat, the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities will provide van service to and from all cooling centers between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to any County resident who needs transportation.  Residents seeking transportation can call: 410-222-4826.

Residents should remember that all pets (other than service animals) are not permitted in the cooling centers and children accompanying adults must be supervised at all times.

Facility Name

Area/Address

Hours of Operation

 

North County

 

Pascal Senior Center

125 Dorsey Rd., Glen Burnie

8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

AACO Police Northern District Community Meeting Room

939 Hammonds Lane, Glen Burnie

4:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m.

 

West County

 

O’Malley Senior Center

1275 Odenton Rd., Odenton

8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

AACO Police Western District Community Meeting Room

8273 Telegraph Road, Odenton

4:30 – 11:00 p.m.

 

East County

 

Pasadena Senior Center

4103 Mountain Rd, Pasadena

8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

AACO Police Eastern District Community Meeting Room

3700 Mountain Road, Pasadena

4:30-11:00 p.m.

 

South County

 

Annapolis Senior Center

119 S. Villa Avenue, Annapolis

8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

South County Senior Center

27 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater

8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

AACO Police Southern District Community Meeting Room

35 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater

4:30 – 11:p.m.

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