Press Release: Mayor Bowser Activates Heat Emergency
News Release — Executive Office of the Mayor; DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency; and DC Department of Human Servics
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 5, 2020
CONTACT:
LaToya Foster (EOM)
Rebekah Mena (HSEMA)
Dora Taylor-Lowe (DHS)
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Due to the current temperatures and forecast of extreme heat, Mayor Bowser has issued a Heat Emergency for the District of Columbia for Friday, June 5. When the forecast of the temperature or heat index in the District is 92 degrees or higher, District Government, through the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA), activates a heat emergency and activates cooling centers for residents to seek relief from the heat.
Cooling Centers:
The following recreation centers, public schools, and homeless shelters will operate as cooling centers and remain open until 6:00 p.m., or until it has been deemed safe to be outdoors. If you or someone you know needs transportation to a cooling center, call the shelter hotline at (202) 399-7093. Residents can find their closest cooling center using the District’s interactive map.
Ward 1:
Parkview Recreation Center
693 Otis Place, NW
Ward 2:
Volta Park Recreation Center
1555 34th Street, NW
Ward 3:
Hardy Recreation Center
4500 Q Street, NW
Ward 4:
Hamilton Recreation Center
1340 Hamilton Street, NW
Ward 5:
New York Ave/Dunbar Recreation Center
100 N Street, NW
Ward 6:
Dunbar High School
101 N Street, NW
Randall Recreation Center
S Capitol Street, SW & I Street, SW
Seaton Elementary School
1503 10th Street, NW
Watkins Elementary School
420 12th Street, SE
Ward 7:
Marvin Gaye Recreation Center
5200 Foote Street, NE
Aiton Elementary School
533 48th Place, NE
Randle Highlands Elementary School
1650 30th Street, SE
Ward 8:
Congress Heights Recreation Center
611 Alabama Avenue, SE
Patterson Elementary School
4399 South Capitol Terrace, SW
In an effort to decrease community spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the District, cooling centers will implement the following safeguards:
- Individuals entering cooling centers are required to wear a mask or face covering while inside the facility.
- Individuals who do not have a face mask or covering when entering a District cooling center will be provided one.
- Upon entering a District cooling center, individuals will be directed to an open seat that is marked off to indicate required social distancing measures.
For information about services provided during an Extreme Heat Warning, visit heat.dc.gov or call the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center by dialing 311. Residents can register to receive Heat Emergency alerts on their devices at alertdc.dc.gov.
Extreme Heat Safety Precautions:
The public can limit heat exposure by:
- Staying indoors when possible;
- Drinking plenty of liquids and avoiding drinks with caffeine and alcohol;
- Limiting sun exposure, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., when the sun is the strongest;
- Applying sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outdoors; and
- Wearing light-colored, lightweight clothing.
Low-Barrier Shelters:
The Downtown Daytime Services Center (1313 New York Avenue, NW) will be open by appointment and offering limited services on Friday, June 5 until 5:00 p.m.
Low-Barrier shelters for individuals operate year-round. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, all low-barrier shelters remain open 24 hours and will remain open all day on Friday, June 5.
Men
- New York Avenue Shelter at 1355-57 New York Avenue, NE
- 801 East Shelter at 801 Making Life Better Lane, SE
- Adams Place Shelter at 2210 Adams Place, NE
Women
- Nativity Shelter at 6010 Georgia Avenue, NW
- 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
Families seeking emergency shelter can call 311 at any time, day or night.
Fire Hydrant Safety:
Residents are reminded that the unauthorized use of fire hydrants is unlawful, dangerous, and damaging. To report a fire hydrant that has been tampered with, call 311.
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