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Mayor Muriel Bowser activates DC's Heat Emergency Plan

The current temperature in DC is 91 degrees with a heat index of 99 degrees.
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Mercury thermometer marking 39 degrees Celsius 100 Fahrenheit in a sunny day. Summer heat shown on mercury thermometer against the blue sky. Sunlight with sun flares.

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. 

RELATED: Heat index over 100 degrees Monday with isolated storms

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.

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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. 

RELATED: DC has hit 90 degrees 45 times this year, 3 days more than all of 2018

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