With temperatures soaring and humidity making the air feel even hotter, the District government has activated its hyperthermia alert. The temperature as of about 1 p.m. is 92 degrees, but with the heat index, it feels closer to 98 degrees, and could rise to an even 100.
During such conditions, residents should stay indoors with air conditioning, drink plenty of fluids, wear lightweight clothing, and minimize the amount of time spent outdoors. People should also take extra care to make sure children, seniors, and pets are safe from the extreme heat.
Hyperthermia occurs when the body takes on more heat than it can normally absorbs, leading to conditions such as hot and dry skin or heat stroke. In more sever instances, symptoms can also include nausea, dizziness, or fainting.
For those without air conditioning at their home or workplace, the District has opened four emergency cooling centers around the city. The centers will be open between noon and 6 p.m. on weekdays that the hyperthermia alert is activated. Considering the forecast for the remainder of the week is just as brutal as today, expect the advisory to be issued every day this week.
The cooling centers can be found at:
- One Judiciary Square 441 Fourth Street NW
- Frank D. Reeves Center (Lobby), 2000 14th Street NW
- King Office Building (Lobby), 3720 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE
- Virginia Williams Family Resource Center 33 N Street NE
Residents who know of anyone in need of immediate transport to one of these facilities can arrange a ride by dialing (202) 399-7093. Additionally, the Department of Human Services will open eight homeless facilities during the heat emergency. The locations can be found in the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency’s heat emergency guide.
And for those looking to cool off quickly, D.C.’s indoor and outdoor pools and spray parks are all open for business. Admission is free with proof of D.C. residency.
