WASHINGTON — As the temperatures continue to rise to expected record levels this weekend, D.C. is offering extra resources for visitors and residents to stay cool.
“As soon as the actual temperature or the heat index hits 95 degrees, we actually activate our heat emergency plan,” said Chris Geldard, director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
The city is considering this weekend’s forecast an emergency the plan, among other things, extends hours at pools, spray parks, cooling centers and shelters. Find details including hours, locations and resources here.
“Please look out for your friends and neighbors and make sure that they are staying cool and hydrated,” said Geldart.
The city is working with Metro to have cooling buses in place and ready for deployment and is also working with DC Water and Pepco to ensure utilities are stable during the intense heat wave.
Common afflictions in this type of heat include heat exhaustion, which doctor LaQuandra Nesbitt, the director of the District’s Health Department says presents symptoms of a headache, nausea and slight confusion.
Heatstroke is more serious and patients stop sweating and their skin turns red and dry. Nesbitt says this is considered a medical emergency and you should call 911.
The Department of Health will have hyperthermia hotline up and running and teams out looking for those who need medical care the number for the cooling center transport is 1-800-535-7252.
“There is always the potential,” Pepco spokesman Bill Gausman said of residents losing power in the heat.
He suggested those in the D.C. area have a flashlight and any medications ready if the lights go out, as well as a plan of where to cool off if they lose power, which he says is always a potential.
Residents reduce their energy load by waiting to do laundry and other chores that require heavy electrical output, he said.
What about staying hydrated?
The Capital Area Food Bank is delivering pallets of water throughout the D.C. area Friday in advance of the weekend’s heat wave.
“Our main business is food, but in times like these water is even more essential than usual,” said Marian Barton Peele, a senior director with CAFB.
Along with food, water was delivered this morning to the following locations for neighbors to take home free of charge:
- Brotherhood of the Cross (Washington, DC)
- Faith Temple (Capital Heights, MD)
- Langley Park (Hyattsville, MD)
- Alafia Baptist Church (Mount Rainer, MD)
- Community Ministry of Prince George’s County (Seat Pleasant, MD)
The food bank had received a delivery of water from federal employees doing a nationwide food drive for CAFB and other food banks, and is now putting that water to use.
