For Immediate Release: Tuesday, July 21, 2020
The County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security has extended the Heat Emergency Alert through 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22.
A Heat Emergency Alert is declared when the heat index is forecast to approach 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. While nighttime temperatures will be lower, they still pose a health threat with extended exposure.
Extreme heat affects the body's ability to regulate temperature, which can create dangerous conditions if appropriate safety measures are not taken. Heat may affect air quality, especially in urban areas, and may have a stronger impact on the elderly, children and sick persons.
Residents are urged to take precautions to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their pets, against heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
The County will provide cooling centers at the following locations:
Wednesday; from noon to 6 p.m.:
Masks are required at all times in the cooling centers and will be available if needed. Do not visit a cooling center if you have a cough, fever, or any other symptoms of illness.
At any time during the heat emergency, anyone seeking shelter may use any Ride On Bus to cool down during service hours. The buses are available for free. More information is available on the bus schedule on the DOT website.
The following precautions may help residents remain safe and comfortable during excessive heat days:
Heat exposure can be life-threatening. Should any of the following occur, get out of the heat, loosen any tight or heavy clothing, and drink plenty of water:
The Executive Director of the Office of Animal Services will enforce Executive Regulations 17-17, Anti Cruelty Conditions for Dogs and Other Pets during this heat emergency. Pet owners must not leave pets unattended in vehicles or outdoors. The Montgomery County Office of Animal Services provides safety information for pet owners.
Sign up for the County's Alert Montgomery notification system to receive emergency alerts regarding weather and other emergency information. The Alert Montgomery System provides accurate and immediate emergency notifications from Montgomery County to your cell, work, or home phones via text, email, or voice message to receive notifications about emergencies that may affect your home, workplace, child's school, or any other locations within the County.
For general information about County programs and services, call 3-1-1.
For information on heat emergency and hot weather safety tips are available on the Heat Emergency webpage.
For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit the County’s COVID-19 website as well as the County’s data dashboard or follow Montgomery County on Facebook @MontgomeryCountyInfo and Twitter @MontgomeryCountyMD.
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Release ID: 20-391