Anne Arundel County will open warming centers from 9:00 p.m. tonight, January 16, 2020 until 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2020 in response to extremely cold forecast temperatures. The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures in the low to mid 20s with wind chill values in the teens. The following locations will be available to provide warming relief:
Anne Arundel County Public Libraries will designate the following libraries as warming centers from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2020:
Broadneck Community Library: 1275 Green Holly Drive, Annapolis
Brooklyn Park Community Library: 1 East 11th Avenue, Baltimore
Crofton Community Library: 1681 Riedel Road, Crofton
Deale Community Library: 5940 Deale-Churchton Road, Deale
Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library: 269 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis
Edgewater Community Library: 25 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater
Glen Burnie Regional Library: 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie
Linthicum Community Library: 400 Shipley Road, Linthicum
Maryland City at Russett Community Library: 3501 Russett Common, Laurel
Mountain Road Community Library: 4730 Mountain Road, Pasadena
>Odenton Regional Library: 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton
Riviera Beach Community Library: 1130 Duvall Highway, Pasadena
Severn Community Library: 2624 Annapolis Road, Severn
Severna Park Community Library: 45 West McKinsey Road, Severna Park
Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities will designate the following Senior Activity Centers as warming centers from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2020:
Annapolis Senior Activity Center: 119 South Villa Avenue, Annapolis
Arnold Senior Activity Center: 44 Church Rd, Arnold
Brooklyn Park Senior Activity Center: 202 Hammonds Lane Brooklyn Park
O'Malley Senior Activity Center: 1275 Odenton Road, Odenton
Pasadena Senior Activity Center: 4103 Mountain Road, Pasadena
Pascal Senior Activity Center: 125 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie
South County Senior Activity Center: 27 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater
Anne Arundel County Police will designate District Station Community Rooms at the following precincts as warming centers overnight from 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. from Thursday, January 16, 2020 until Sunday, January 19, 2020; and Sunday, January 19, 2020 from 9:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2020:
Northern District: 939 Hammonds Lane, Baltimore
Eastern District: 204 Pasadena Rd, Pasadena
Western District: 8273 Telegraph Road, Odenton
Southern District: 35 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater
Residents requiring transportation to any warming center should contact the Office of Transportation during normal business hours, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at (410) 222-0022.
All centers are accessible and have water and restroom facilities. Medical care is not available and anyone experiencing or observing a medical emergency should call 9-1-1. Pets are not allowed in any warming centers. Accommodations will be made for service animals. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
The Office of Emergency Management encourages residents to exercise caution during extremely cold temperatures. Whether inside or outside, cold weather can be dangerous to those who are not prepared to properly handle it.
Advanced hypothermia (decreased core body temperature) can be accompanied by stiffness, excessive shivering, confusion, slurred speech, numbness, or a weak pulse. Watch for changes in levels of consciousness and motor coordination, indicated by stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles. Symptoms of frostbite (skin damage due to cold temperatures) include gradual numbness, pale or purple skin, hard (wooden) skin, or a tingling or burning feeling in the impacted area. Call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know may be suffering from hypothermia or frostbite.
Children, older adults, and people with poor circulatory systems are at particular risk for hypothermia or frostbite. The Department of Health offers the following tips to help residents cope with winter conditions when outside:
Layer your clothing to have more flexibility and control over how warm you stay. Avoid cotton clothing for winter activities.
Prepare for the unexpected. Most hypothermia cases occur due to an unexpected change in the weather or temperature.
Wear a warm hat; up to 50 percent of body heat is lost through the head.
Avoid getting wet when the temperature dips.
Wear waterproof boots or shoes to keep your feet dry.
Drink plenty of water. Avoid nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol.
Residents should also be aware of the risks cold weather poses when inside homes and buildings. The Anne Arundel County Fire Department offers the following tips to help residents remain safe in their homes during cold conditions:
Store several days’ worth of non-perishable food and bottled water.
>Keep several days’ worth of medications.
Keep fireplaces and wood-burning stoves clean.
Never leave space heaters on and unattended.
Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operating properly.
Check on older adults and neighbors and relatives with disabilities.
In accordance with § 12-4-809. Severe weather emergencies and alerts, the County Executive has issued a Severe Weather Animal Alert. For more information please visit Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control's website at http://www.aacounty.org/departments/animal-control or visit their page on Facebook. At risk individuals seeking warmth with concerns for their pets should contact Animal Care & Control (410) 222-8900 during normal business hours.
Anyone needing special accommodations must contact Tristin Ziegenhein at (443) 274-8193 or by email to emzieg00@aacounty.org. TTY users, please call via Maryland Relay 7-1-1. All materials are available in an alternative format upon request.