Montgomery County Offering Cooling Centers to Help Combat Heat Emergency

The heat emergency alert in Montgomery County continues today, with the potential for the heat index values to reach 105 degrees, according to an alert. The heat index value is what the temperature feels like to a human body when humidity and air temperature are combined.

Montgomery County Emergency Management warns that this type of heat can cause heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include feeling faint, dizzy, excessive sweating, muscle cramps, nausea, and a weak pulse, according to a tweet. If you are experiencing these symptoms, Emergency Management recommends cooling off, drinking water, and resting.

Symptoms of a heat stroke include a throbbing headache, lack of sweat, rapid, strong pulse, and a body temperature above 103 degrees. If you feel any of these symptoms, Emergency Management recommends calling 9-1-1.

⬇️ know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Take precautions to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your pets from heat-related illness: pic.twitter.com/iPuI6jEFSn

— Montgomery Co OEMHS (@ReadyMontgomery) July 19, 2020

To combat the heat, Montgomery County is offering cooling centers in the following locations:

Monday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: 

• Former Silver Spring Library Redevelopment, 8901 Colesville Road, Silver Spring
• Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center, 14625 Bauer Dr, Rockville,
• East County Community Recreation Center, 3310 Gateshead Manor Way, Silver Spring
• Montgomery County Animal Services (Conference Room), 7315 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood
• White Oak Community Recreation Center, 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring
• Good Hope Recreation Center, 14715 Good Hope Road, Silver Spring
• Executive Office Building cafeteria, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville
• Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Drive, Silver Spring
• Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, 4301 E W Hwy, Bethesda
• Wheaton High School, 12401 Dalewood Dr, Silver Spring
• Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring
• Sidney Kramer Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road Germantown

Tuesday; from noon to 6 p.m.:

• Former Silver Spring Library Redevelopment, 8901 Colesville Road, Silver Spring
• Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center, 14625 Bauer Dr, Rockville,
• Good Hope Recreation Center, 14715 Good Hope Road, Silver Spring
• Montgomery County Animal Services (Community Room), 7315 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood

Wednesday; from noon to 6 p.m.:

• Former Silver Spring Library Redevelopment, 8901 Colesville Road, Silver Spring
• Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center, 14625 Bauer Dr, Rockville,
• East County Community Recreation Center, 3310 Gateshead Manor Way, Silver Spring
• Montgomery County Animal Services (Community Room), 7315 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood

Masks are required inside the locations. Additionally, Ride On Buses are available for free as another way to cool down. The bus schedule is available on the DOT website.

About Isabel Cleary

Isabel Cleary was a rising senior at the University of Maryland, majoring in Broadcast Journalism and International Relations. She was a summer 2020 intern at Montgomery Community Media. Follow her on twitter @IsabelCleary

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