WASHINGTON — D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has activated the Heat Emergency Plan due to extreme heat and high temperatures in the district.
According to the National Weather Service, the temperature in D.C. is 91 degrees with a heat index of 99. When the temperature or heat index reaches 95 degrees, the District government, must implement the emergency plan, according to a release from the Mayor's office.
Residents are urged to stay indoors and stay hydrated during this time. D.C. Cooling centers for residents are activated to help them escape the heat.
Bowser encourages any resident needing a cool place to use any library or recreation center, during normal business hours, or the Adams Place Day Center.
Bowser says cooling Centers are activated in publicly accessible government facilities, homeless shelters, and senior citizen wellness centers. The centers will remain open until 6 p.m., or until it has been deemed safe to be outdoors.
Residents can find the nearest cooling center using this interactive map.
Bowser said residents can limit heat exposure by:
- Staying inside
- Drinking liquids and avoiding drinks with caffeine and alcohol
- Limiting sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun is the strongest
- Applying sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside
- Wearing light-colored, lightweight clothing
The following low-barrier shelters will be open all day on Monday for use:
Men:
- New York Avenue Shelter at 1355-57 New York Avenue, NW
- 801 East Shelter at 801 Making Life Better Lane, SE
- Adams Place Shelter 2210 Adams Place, NE
Women:
- Nativity Shelter at 6010 Georgia Avenue, NW (Opens at 7:00 p.m.)
- Harriet Tubman, DC General Building at 27 1900 Massachusetts Avenue, SE
- Patricia Handy Place for Women at 810 5th Street, NW
- Community for Creative Non-Violence (CCNV) at 425 Second Street, NW
Any families seeking emergency shelter can call 311 at any time. Families may also visit the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center located at 920 Rhode Island Avenue, NE, Monday - Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.