The National Weather Service issued a winter weather warning for snow in effect from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21. Severe cold temperatures are forecast for the area starting Tuesday through the end of the week.  The public buildings listed below are open during regular business hours for use by residents as warming centers during the cold weather from Tuesday, Jan. 21 through Friday, Jan. 24:

 

Capital Clubhouse, 3033 Waldorf Market Place, Waldorf

Open 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Department of Community Services, 8190 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco

Open 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Port Tobacco Community Center, 8190 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco

Open 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Nanjemoy Community Center, 4375 Port Tobacco Road, Nanjemoy

Open 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Charles County Public Library, All Branches

La Plata Branch, 2 Garrett Ave., La Plata

P.D. Brown Memorial Branch, 50 Village St., Waldorf

Potomac Branch, 3225 Ruth B. Swan Drive, Indian Head

Waldorf West, 10405 O’Donnell Place, Waldorf

All branches open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Richard R. Clark Senior Center, 1210 Charles St., La Plata

Open 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

        

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) advises individuals to take the following precautions during cold weather, if indoors:

  •  

    Stay indoors and dress warmly.

  • Conserve fuel, if necessary, by keeping your residence cooler than normal.  Temporarily close off heat to some rooms.

  • If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.    

  • If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags.

  • Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to penetrate).

  • Use caution when using supplemental heating units. Make sure that all-combustible materials such as drapes or chairs are at least three feet away from any heating unit. Avoid using flammable liquids to start fireplaces and do not leave a fireplace unattended. Most importantly, check your smoke detector to make sure it is working properly.

  • Listen to the radio or television to get the latest weather updates and information.

If outdoors:

  • Dress warmly.

  • Wear loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing. Layers can be removed to prevent perspiration and chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Mittens are warmer than gloves because fingers generate warmth when they touch each other.

  • Keep dry.

  • Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of it