County Emergency Services Opens Cooling Centers Due To Heat

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD -- The Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management has extended the activation of cooling centers for Thursday, June 27, through Saturday, June 29, due to prolonged high temperatures and excessive humidity. Temperatures are forecast to be in the mid to high 90s with oppressive humidity, creating heat index values in excess of 90 degrees and an orange air quality code.

The following Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities Senior Centers will be open and designated as cooling centers on Thursday, June 27, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Annapolis Senior Center: 119 South Villa Avenue, Annapolis
• Arnold Senior Center: 44 Church Rd, Arnold
• Brooklyn Park Senior Center: 202 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park
• O'Malley Senior Center: 1275 Odenton Road, Odenton
• Pasadena Senior Center: 4103 Mountain Road, Pasadena
• Pascal Senior Center: 125 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie
• South County Senior Center: 27 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater

The following Anne Arundel County Public Libraries will be open and designated as cooling centers on Thursday, June 27, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Annapolis Library (at Monarch Academy): 2000 Capital Drive, Annapolis
• Broadneck Community Library: 1275 Green Holly Drive, Annapolis
• Brooklyn Park Community Library: 1 East 11th Avenue, Baltimore
• Crofton Community Library: 1681 Riedel Road, Crofton
• Deale Community Library: 5940 Deale-Churchton Road, Deale
• Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library: 269 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis
• Edgewater Community Library: 25 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater
• Glen Burnie Regional Library: 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie
• Linthicum Community Library: 400 Shipley Road, Linthicum
• Maryland City at Russett Community Library: 3501 Russett Common, Laurel
• Mountain Road Community Library: 4730 Mountain Road, Pasadena
• Odenton Regional Library: 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton
• Riviera Beach Community Library: 1130 Duvall Highway, Pasadena
• Severn Community Library: 2624 Annapolis Road, Severn
• Severna Park Community Library: 45 West McKinsey Road, Severna Park

The following Anne Arundel County Police District Station Community Rooms will be available and designated as cooling centers from Thursday, June 27, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Northern District: 939 Hammonds Lane, Baltimore
• Eastern District: 204 Pasadena Rd, Pasadena
• Western District: 8273 Telegraph Road, Odenton
• Southern District: 35 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater

Residents requiring transportation to any cooling center should contact the Office of transportation from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, June 27, and Friday, June 28, at 410-222-0022.

All cooling centers are accessible, air-conditioned and have water and restroom facilities. Medical care is not available and anyone experiencing or observing a medical emergency should call 9-1-1. Pets are not allowed in any cooling centers. Accommodations will be made for service animals. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

During this time period, all county residents and visitors are encouraged to do the following:

• Drink more fluids, regardless of your activity level. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. Warning: if your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has prescribed you water pills, ask them how much you should drink while temperatures are above average.
• Do not drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar, as these can cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks if possible, because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air-conditioning, go to an air-conditioned public place or a county cooling center – even a few hours spent in air-conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a more efficient way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• NEVER leave any person or animal in a closed, parked vehicle.

Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:

• Infants and young children
• Those aged 65 or older
• Those who have a mental illness
• Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure

Visit at-risk individuals at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children require much more frequent watching.