Mayor Bowser Activates Heat Emergency Plan for July 31-August 2, 2024

Contact:David Ross (DHS)--(202) 299-5549

Due to the current temperatures and forecast of extreme heat, Mayor Muriel Bowser has activated the District's Heat Emergency Plan for July 31-August 2, 2024. With the heat index expected to exceed 95 degrees Wednesday through Friday, residents and visitors are encouraged to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses. Those without air conditioning are urged to seek relief in air-conditioned buildings and cooling centers.

When the forecast of the temperature or heat index in the District is 95 degrees or higher, District Government, through the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA), implements the Heat Emergency Plan and activates cooling centers for residents to seek relief from the heat.

During a Heat Emergency activation, residents are urged to stay cool, check on seniors and other vulnerable neighbors, and to call the shelter hotline for unsheltered residents in need of free, accessible transportation to a cooling center. To request accessible transportation to a cooling center for yourself or someone else, call the shelter hotline at (202) 399-7093 or dial 311.

Cooling Centers:

While some cooling centers will open specifically when a Heat Emergency is activated, many of the District's cooling centers will be available during their regular business hours. Residents may find their closest cooling center using the District's interactive map, located at heat.dc.gov.

Extreme Heat Safety Precautions:

• Help protect yourself and others from extreme hot weather by:
• Staying indoors when possible: find places in the shade or with air conditioning to seek relief from the heat. Residents may find their closest cooling center using the District's interactive map.
• Checking in on your neighbors: young children, the elderly, and those with access and functional needs are the most vulnerable in our community.
• Drinking plenty of fluids: increase your fluid intake but don't drink liquids that contain alcohol, caffeine, or large amounts of sugar.
• Keeping pets indoors: walk pets early in the morning, give pets plenty of water and do not leave pets in vehicles, which can reach dangerous temperatures within 10 minutes. For all animal emergencies, including animals left outside in extreme temperatures or in vehicles, please call the Humane Rescue Alliance at (202) 723-5730.
• Wearing appropriate clothing and sunscreen: pick lightweight, loose fitting, light-colored clothing, and wide brimmed hats. Using a SPF 15 or higher sunscreen is best.

Low-Barrier Shelters:

All low-barrier shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness operate year-round and remain open 24 hours.

Men

• 801 East Shelter at 2722 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE
• Adams Place Shelter at 2210 Adams Place, NE
• New York Avenue Shelter at 1355-57 New York Avenue, NE
• Emery Shelter at 1725 Lincoln Road, NE

Women

• Harriet Tubman Shelter for Women, DC General Building 9 at 1900 Massachusetts Avenue, SE
• Patricia Handy Place for Women Extension at 1009 11th Street, NW

LGBTQ+

• Living Life Alternatively at 400 50th Street, SE

Day Centers

The Cooling Center at the Downtown Day Services Center located at 1313 New York Avenue, NW is open Monday through Friday from 9 am - 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am - 3 pm. Walk-in services are available to guests with no appointment required. Entry will be permitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Available walk-in services include showers, laundry, medical and mental health treatment, computer access, electronic/mobile device charging, housing case management, employment counseling, harm reduction services, legal counseling and other vital services. Full capacity lunch services will continue Monday through Friday from 11 am - 1 pm.

Adams Place Drop-in Center, located on the backside of the building at 2210 Adams Place, NE, is open Monday through Friday from 7 am to 7 pm Walk-in services are available to guests with no appointment required.

The Day Center at the 801 East Shelter, located at 2722 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 5 pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am to 3 pm. Walk-in services are available to guests with no appointment required.

Spray Parks, Outdoor Pools, and Indoor Pools:

Spray parks are open from 10 am - 6 pm. View a full list of spray parks and locations at dpr.dc.gov/sprayparks.

All DPR outdoor pools will be open six days a week, operating on individual summer schedules. View a full list of outdoor pools and operating schedules at dpr.dc.gov/outdoorpools.

DPR operates indoor pools throughout the District, which can be accessed as cooling centers. View a full list of indoor pools and operating schedules at dpr.dc.gov/indoorpools.

Overflow Sites:

Emery Men's Shelter at 1725 Lincoln Road, NE, 7 pm - 7 am
Eve's Place at 2210B Adam's Place, NE, 8 pm - 7 am

Recreation Centers:

DPR manages and maintains neighborhood recreation and community centers that can be used as cooling centers. These centers operate on individual schedules which are available online at dpr.dc.gov/reccenters.

Senior Wellness Centers

For the most up-to-date information about DACL Senior Wellness Centers, visit dacl.dc.gov/service/senior-wellness-centers. For more information about Senior Centers, seniors are advised to call the District Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) at (202) 724-5626 during regular business hours or the District's Call Center at 311 after hours.

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, please call 311.

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