Frigid Air Coming, County Opens Warming Centers

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ANNAPOLIS, MD — Downright Arctic air will move into Anne Arundel County this week -- a frigid 9 degrees is expected for Saturday’s low -- prompting the county to open warming centers Wednesday evening at senior center, libraries and police stations.

The centers will open at 5 p.m. and remain open until 7 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 15.

The decision to open the county warming centers comes as the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management instituted new criteria for their activation. These locations will now be activated when the temperature is forecast at 15 degrees or lower.

The Weather Channel forecast for the Annapolis area predicts lows in the teens several nights this week.

Weather note: See the hour-by-hour and extended local forecast by clicking the temperature at the top of any page.

The following locations will be available to provide warming relief:

Senior Activity Centers will act as warming centers from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

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

Anne Arundel County Public Libraries will be available until their normal closing time of 9 p.m.

• Annapolis Area Library: 1410 West Street, 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 Library: 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie
• Linthicum Community Library: 400 Shipley Road, Linthicum
• Odenton Library: 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton
• Maryland City at Russett Community Library: 3501 Russett Common, Laurel
• Mountain Road Community Library: 4730 Mountain Road, Pasadena
• Severna Park Community Library: 45 West McKinsey Rd
  
• Severn Community Library Severn Square Shopping Center, 2624 Annapolis Rd
  
• Riviera Beach Community Library: 1130 Duvall Highway, Pasadena

The Anne Arundel County Police will make the Community Rooms at these precincts available 24 hours a day:

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

All centers are accessible and have water and restroom facilities. Medical care is not available and anyone experiencing or observing a medical emergency should call 911. Pets are not allowed in any warming centers. Accommodations will be made for service animals.

The Department of Aging and Disabilities will provide transportation to all residents to and from warming centers, libraries, and police precinct community rooms based on resource availability during business hours.

• Department of Aging and Disabilities Transportation 410-222-0022
  
• Taxi Voucher Program 410-222-4222 (An Income Eligible Program, must submit proof of income to receive discounted vouchers)
  
• MTA Mobility Service 410-764-8181
  
• MTA Taxi Access II Service 410-664-2030 (Must be certified Mobility customer)

For other crisis assistance, citizens can call the Anne Arundel Mental Health Agency’s warmline at 410-768-5522.

The Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management encourages residents to exercise caution during extremely cold temperatures. Whether inside or outside, cold weather can be dangerous to those who are not prepared to deal with it.

Advanced hypothermia (decreased core body temperature) is usually accompanied by stiffness, excessive shivering, confusion, slurred speech, numbness or a weak pulse. Watch for the stumbles, mumbles, fumbles and grumbles which show changes in motor coordination and levels of consciousness.

Symptoms of frostbite (skin damage due to cold temperatures) include gradual numbness, pale or purple skin, hard (wooden) skin, or tingling or burning in the affected area. Contact your local emergency services if you or someone you know may be suffering from hypothermia or frostbite.

Children, the elderly and people with poor circulatory systems are at particular risk for hypothermia or frostbite. The Department of Health offers these tips to help residents cope with winter conditions when outside:

• Layer your clothing; it gives more flexibility and control over how warm you stay.
  
• Avoid cotton clothing for winter activities.
  
• Prepare for the unexpected. Most problems with hypothermia occur because of an unexpected change in the weather or temperature.
  
• Wear a warm hat. As much as 50 of body heat is lost through the head.
  
• Avoid getting wet when the temperature dips.
  
• Wear waterproof boots or shoes to keep your feet dry.
  
• Drink plenty of water. Avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol

Residents should also be aware of the risks cold weather poses when inside the house. The Department offers the following tips to help residents remain safe in their homes during cold conditions:

• Store several days’ worth of non-perishable food and bottled water.
  
• Keep several days’ worth of medications.
  
• Keep fireplaces and wood-burning stoves clean.
  
• Never leave space heaters on and unattended.
  
• Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operating properly.
  
• Check on elderly or disabled neighbors and relatives.