St. Mary’s County

Leonardtown, MD – The weather forecast for St. Mary’s County and Southern Maryland calls for extremely hot and humid conditions today. Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 90’s with heat values around 105 degrees.

For those without air-conditioning, or those outdoors for an extended period of time, impacts from the heat can lead to a risk of heat-related illness.

St. Mary’s County reminds citizens to:

  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
  • Avoid alcohol and caffeine
  • Reduce outdoor activities
  • Wear light-weight, light-colored clothing
  • Stay indoors between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Seek relief from the heat in an air conditioned location
  • Check on older, sick or frail people in your community who may need help responding to the heat

The following locations have been designated as Cooling Centers for those who may need to take refuge from the heat:

Garvey Senior Activity Center
41780 Baldridge Street
Leonardtown
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Charlotte Hall Library
37600 New Market Road
Charlotte Hall
9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Loffler Senior Activity Center  
21905 Chancellors Run Road
Great Mills
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Leonardtown Library
23250 Hollywood Road
Leonardtown
9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Northern Senior Activity Center  
29655 Charlotte Hall Road
Charlotte Hall
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Lexington Park Library
21677 FDR Blvd.
Lexington Park
9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Calvert County

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – June 23, 2015 – Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 90s today and there are several places in Calvert County that residents can visit if they need to cool off.  The county’s community centers will be open during regular hours and safe drinking water is available in each of them.  Residents who need to take refuge in a safe, cool place may go to one of the following locations:        
                                              
Northeast Community Center                               
4075 Gordon Stinnett Ave., Chesapeake Beach
Open Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m., and Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.

Mt. Hope Community Center                      
104 Pushaw Station Road, Sunderland
Open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m., and Sunday, 12:30-6 p.m.

Southern Community Center
20 Appeal Lane, Lusby
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; closed Sunday

Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center
130 Auto Drive, Prince Frederick
Open Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Emergency cooling centers are opened when the need arises, when a heat advisory is issued for the area by the National Weather Service or when the heat index is above 105 degrees Fahrenheit for three consecutive days.
Calvert County residents are urged to take the following precautions to protect themselves and their families when temperatures rise:

  • Drink plenty of fluids; water is best.
  • Avoid beverages containing alcohol, caffeine or large amounts of sugar as they can dehydrate the body.
  • Stay in an air-conditioned room or building during the hottest part of the day.
  • Stay out of the sun.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
  • Check on elderly relatives and neighbors.
  • Never leave children or pets in parked cars since temperatures can rise to 130 degrees inside vehicles in only a few minutes even with the windows rolled down.

Heat can affect anyone, but most at risk are the very young, very old and people with underlying health problems. Symptoms of heat illness include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, nausea, weak but rapid pulse and headaches. People with these symptoms should find shade, drink water slowly and make sure there is good ventilation. Those with severe symptoms should seek medical attention.

Charles County

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Tuesday, June 23 from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. Heat index values are forecasted to reach 105 degrees. A heat advisory means that a period of high temperatures is expected. To avoid heat-related issues, take additional precautions if you work or spend time outside. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.

The public buildings listed below are open during regular business hours for use by residents as cooling centers on Tuesday, June 23: 

Capital Clubhouse (9 a.m. – 9 p.m.)
3033 Waldorf Market Place, Waldorf

Richard R. Clark Senior Center (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
1210 Charles Street, La Plata

Nanjemoy Community Center (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
4375 Port Tobacco Road, Nanjemoy   

Charles County Public Libraries
(All branches:  9 a.m. – 8 p.m)
La Plata Branch, 2 Garrett Avenue, La Plata
P.D. Brown Memorial Branch, 50 Village Street, Waldorf
Potomac Branch, 3225 Ruth B. Swan Drive, Indian Head
Waldorf West Library, 10405 O’Donnell Place, Waldorf  

Outdoor Pools
(Noon – 8 p.m.)
La Plata High School, 6035 Radio Station Road, La Plata
Thomas Stone High School, 3785 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf

(Noon – 8 p.m.)
McDonough High School, 7165 Marshall Corner Road, Pomfret

Indoor Pools
(Noon- 5 p.m.)
Donald M. Wade Aquatic Center at St. Charles High School, 5305 Piney Church Road, Waldorf
North Point High School, 2500 Davis Road, Waldorf

(Noon – 8 p.m.)
Lackey High School, 3000 Chicamuxen Rd, Indian Head

Citizens should call 9-1-1 in the event of any emergency, heat-related or otherwise.  For additional preparedness information, visit:  www.ready.gov/heat or www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/index.shtml.  Information on heat illnesses can be found at dhmh.maryland.gov/extremeheat/SitePages/Home.aspx.