Cooling Center to Open in Wicomico County

Cooling Center to Open in Wicomico County

Friday, July 19, 2019 - Monday, July 22, 2019

July 17, 2019 (Salisbury, MD) Extreme heat will continue to affect our area this weekend. According to the National Weather Service, the heat index will exceed 100 degrees through the weekend. Health Officer Lori Brewster and local Emergency Management officials, have called for the opening of a cooling center to operate from Friday, July 19th - Monday, July 22nd . The cooling center will be open 11 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will be located at the Wicomico County Civic Center on 500 Glen Avenue Salisbury, Maryland 21804 in the DaNang Room. No pets will be permitted. Residents will need to bring their own food, beverages, and medications.

The MAC Senior Center will be opened on Friday July 19th and Monday July 22nd during regular business 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The MAC Senior Center will also open Saturday July 20th 11a.m. to 5 p.m. only for 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. MAC will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 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 (select “dispatch” option).

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.

“One of the most critical things we can do is check in on our neighbors and relatives at least twice daily to ensure they are keeping cool and hydrated,” 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. Family, friends, and neighbors who are at high risk will need extra help and residents should consider how they can help someone they know get to an air-conditioned place, if needed.”

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 or follow us on Twitter@WicomicoHealth.