Wicomico County Executive Announces The Opening Of A Cooling Center

(Salisbury, MD) Extreme heat will be affecting our area this week. According to the National Weather Service, the heat index will exceed 100 degrees today through Friday, with continued high temperatures into the weekend. County Executive Rick Pollitt, with the support of Health Officer Lori Brewster and the Department of Emergency Services, has announced the opening of a cooling center to operate from Wednesday, July 17th through Friday, July 19th. The cooling center will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is located at the Wicomico County Civic Center on500 Glen Avenue Salisbury, Maryland 21804. No pets will be permitted. Residents will need to bring their own food, beverages, and medications.

The MAC Senior Center will also be opened Wednesday through Friday for all individuals over the age of 50 who need shelter from the extreme heat. The MAC Senior Center is located at located at 909 Progress Circle, Suite 200 Salisbury, MD 21804. The center’s hours of operation have been extended until 8:00 p.m. Residents do not need to be affiliated with the MAC Center.

Anyone needing free transportation to the Civic Center or the MAC Senior Center should call Shore Transit at 443-260-2300.


During these extreme heat conditions, health officials are urging residents to be careful, stay cool, and keep hydrated. While temperatures and heat indices rise to record breaking levels, so does the risk for heat related illness.

“During weather like this, it is critical to check in multiple times a day on your neighbors, friends and relatives who may be most at risk. Make sure they are keeping cool and hydrated and get them to an air conditioned place if needed,” says Lori Brewster, Health Officer for Wicomico County. “Infants, young children, young athletes, obese persons, those older than 65 years of age, and those persons with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or a mental illness are at highest risk for heat related illness.”

For local and updated cooling center information, facts on heat related illness, or additional tips on how to stay cool, residents should call 211, or visit the Wicomico County Health Department's website at www.wicomicohealth.org or www.facebook.com/wicomicohealth.