Because of the recent heat wave in the region, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has activated the city’s Heat Emergency Plan.
When the temperature or heat index in the District reaches 95 degrees, District Government, through the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA), will implement the Heat Emergency Plan and activate cooling centers for residents to seek relief. Residents needing a cool place to be are encouraged to utilize any library or recreation center during their normal business hours, or the Adams Place Day Center. The Department of General Services (DGS) advises caution when using recreational services throughout the District during a heat emergency; learn more about safety guidelines at dgs.dc.gov.
For information about services provided during an Extreme Heat Warning, go to 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.
Cooling Centers are activated in publicly accessible government facilities, homeless shelters, and senior citizen wellness centers, and remain open until 6:00 p.m. or until it has been deemed safe to be outdoors. To request transportation to a cooling center for a resident experiencing homelessness, call the hyperthermia hotline at (202) 399-7093. Residents can find their closest cooling center using the District’s interactive map.
The public can limit heat exposure by: staying indoors; drinking plenty of liquids and avoiding drinks with caffeine and alcohol; limiting sun exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun is the strongest; applying sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outdoors; and wearing light-colored, lightweight clothing.