Code Orange: Carroll County Cooling Centers Open Today

Forecasters are anticipating Code Orange today, Aug. 29. Because of the anticipated high temperatures and humidity, the Carroll County Department of Citizen Services will operate six cooling centers around the county. 

Residents who are vulnerable to extreme heat and who do not have air-conditioning in their homes are encouraged to cool off in any of the following locations until the close of business:

Cooling centers are open during regular business hours at County Senior Centers and the Department of Citizen Services.

• Citizen Services Office Building, 10 Distillery Drive, Westminster (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday)
• Mount Airy Senior and Community Center, 703 Ridge Avenue, Mount Airy (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday)
• North Carroll Senior and Community Center, 2328 Hanover Pike, Greenmount (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday)
• South Carroll Senior and Community Center, 5928 Mineral Hill Road, Eldersburg (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday)
• Taneytown Senior and Community Center, 220 Roberts Mill Road, Taneytown (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday)
• Westminster Senior and Community Center, 125 Stoner Ave., Westminster (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday)

All branches of the Carroll County Public Library System, Monday – Thursday 9 a.m.– 8:45 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Eldersburg Branch, 6400 Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg
• Finksburg Branch, 2265 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg
• Mt. Airy Branch, 705 Ridge Avenue, Mt. Airy
• North Carroll Branch, 2255 Hanover Pike, Greenmount
• Taneytown Branch, 10 Grand Drive, Taneytown
• Westminster Branch, 50 East. Main Street, Westminster

Open noon to 6 p.m. during Code Orange and Red days which fall on Sundays are:

• Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll Street ~ Westminster
• Cavalry Methodist Church in Mt Airy 403 S. Main Street ~ Mount Airy, MD 21771

Water will be available for those who need it at any of the cooling centers.

The Carroll County Emergency Management Division encourages people to follow these safety tips when temperatures and humidity are high:

• Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day.
• Wear loose, lightweight, and light colored clothing.
• Eat fewer proteins and drink plenty of water.
• Stay in air-conditioning

Additional information, including the State Heat Plan, Heat Reports, FAQs, and updated contact information is posted on the DHMH site: http://dhmh.maryland.gov/extremeheat/SitePages/Home.aspx.