Anne Arundel Cold Blast: Warming Centers Open Through Feb 5

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Another cold blast is gripping Anne Arundel County, so officials will open warming centers Tuesday, Jan. 30, and keep them open until Monday, Feb. 5, to offer shelter to those in need while the forecast calls for extremely cold temperatures. The National Weather Service predicts wind chill temperatures to range from 9 to 25 degrees in the coming week. And pet owners who don't keep their animals out of the cold face a fine from county officials.

Warming centers will be open from 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, until 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 5. Anne Arundel County Public Libraries will be designated from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31 and Thursday, Feb. 1. On Friday and Saturday, Feb. 2 and 3, the libraries will be designated as warming centers from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

These library locations will be open:

• Annapolis Regional 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
• 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

• Annapolis Regional Library: 1410 West Street, Annapolis
• Crofton Community Library: 1681 Riedel Road, Crofton
• Glen Burnie Regional Library: 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie
• Maryland City at Russett Community Library: 3501 Russett Common, Laurel
• Odenton Regional Library: 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton
• Severn Community Library: 2624 Annapolis Road, Severn
• Severna Park Community Library: 45 West McKinsey Road, Severna Park

The Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities will designate these Senior Centers as warming centers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30. On Wednesday, Jan. 31, through Friday, Feb. 2, the Senior Centers will act as warming centers from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. to provide warming relief.

• 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 Anne Arundel County Police will designate four precincts as warming centers from 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, until 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 5.

• 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 warming center should contact the Office of Transportation during normal business hours, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 410-222-0022.

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 9-1-1. Pets are not allowed in any warming centers. Accommodations will be made for service animals. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

The Office of Emergency Management encourages residents to use caution during extremely cold temperatures. Whether inside or outside, cold weather can be dangerous to those who are not prepared to properly handle it. Advanced hypothermia (decreased core body temperature) can be accompanied by stiffness, excessive shivering, confusion, slurred speech, numbness or a weak pulse. Watch for changes in levels of consciousness and motor coordination, indicated by stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles.

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 impacted area. Call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know may be suffering from hypothermia or frostbite.

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

• Layer your clothing to have more flexibility and control over how warm you stay. Avoid cotton clothing for winter activities.
• Prepare for the unexpected. Most hypothermia cases occur due to an unexpected change in the weather or temperature.
• Wear a warm hat; up to 50 percent 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 homes and buildings. The Anne Arundel County Fire Department says residents can remain safe in their homes during cold conditions if they:

• 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 older adults, neighbors, and relatives with disabilities.

Authorities have issued a Severe Weather Animal Alert. In accordance with the law, when the county executive declares a severe weather animal emergency, dogs left outside unattended must be provided with:

• Fresh clean drinkable non-frozen water at all times
• Dog flaps/doors must be affixed to dog houses (and dogs must be trained/able to use the house with the flap)

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