(Washington, DC) – Due to high temperatures and humidity levels, Mayor Muriel Bowser has activated a Heat Alert for Wednesday, June 18 and Thursday, June 19 (Juneteenth). To help residents stay safe and cool, spray parks across the District and select recreation centers will be open on Thursday for the Juneteenth holiday.

The National Weather Service is forecasting air temperatures in the upper 80s and lower 90s over the next two days. When combined with high humidity levels, the heat index may exceed 95 degrees at times. Overnight temperatures will drop to the 70s.

When the heat index forecast reaches 95 degrees or higher, the District issues a Heat Alert and opens cooling centers where community members can seek relief from the heat. If the heat index forecast exceeds 105 degrees, the District will issue an Extreme Heat Alert and may implement additional resources as needed to support public health and wellness. Learn more about updates to the District’s Heat Plan here.

The Bowser Administration urges residents to take precautions during the Heat Alert. That includes staying indoors when possible, remaining hydrated, and checking on seniors and other vulnerable neighbors, and to call the shelter hotline for unsheltered residents in need of free, accessible transportation to a cooling center. To request accessible transportation for yourself or someone else, call the shelter hotline at (202) 399-7093 or dial 311.

Residents are encouraged to visit heat.dc.gov to find information about the District’s heat emergency plan, locate cooling centers, and access important safety tips and available services. To stay informed about heat alerts and other emergency notifications, residents can sign up for AlertDC at alert.dc.gov. 

Low-Barrier Shelters and Day Centers 
Low-barrier shelters and day centers for individuals experiencing homelessness operate year-round, provide an air-conditioned and safe place to stay, and offer additional support services and case management. Follow this link for more information.

Individuals and families seeking accessible transportation to homeless services should call the DC Shelter Hotline at (202) 399-7093, between the hours of 8 am to 12 am, or the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center at 311 at any time of the day or night.   

Access to Emergency Shelter              
All low-barrier shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness operate year-round. The following low-barrier shelters are open 24 hours. 

• New York Avenue Men’s Shelter (1355 New York Avenue NE)  
• 801 East Men's Shelter (2722 MLK Jr. Avenue SE)  
• Adams Place Men’s Shelter (2210 Adams Place NE)  
• Emery Men’s Shelter (1725 Lincoln Road NE) 
• Pat Handy Women’s Shelter (810 5th Street NW) 
• Harriet Tubman Women’s Shelter (1910 Massachusetts Avenue SE)  
• Living Life Alternatives LGBTQ+ Shelter (400 50th Street SE)    

The Downtown Day Services Center (The Center), located at 1313 New York Avenue NW, provides walk-in services to individuals experiencing homelessness with no appointment required. The Center will be open on Wednesday, June 18 and Thursday, June 19 from 9 am to 5 pm. Entry will be permitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests will be provided with a wristband that must be worn while in the Center.   
   
Zoe’s Doors Youth Drop-In Center for residents experiencing homelessness, located at 900 Rhode Island Avenue NE, offers a safe place for youth and will be open 24 hours on Wednesday, June 18 and Thursday, June 19 for walk-in and full services. Appointments are recommended.   

Cooling Centers 
Cooling centers are locations across the District where individuals can go to gain respite from the heat. In addition to providing an air-conditioned place to cool off, some cooling centers provide additional services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Facilities serving as cooling centers include low-barrier shelters, day centers, public libraries, community centers and recreation centers, and youth services centers. 

While some public facilities will be closed on Thursday, June 19 for the Juneteenth holiday, other Cooling Centers will be open including low-barrier shelters, the Downtown Day Services Center, and the following recreation centers from 10 am to 5 pm:

Facility Name	Address	Ward
Columbia Heights Community Center	1480 Girard Street NW	Ward 1
Takoma Community Center	300 Van Buren Street NW	Ward 4
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center	1100 Michigan Avenue NE	Ward 5
Joseph H. Cole Recreation Center	1299 Neal Street NE	Ward 5
King Greenleaf Recreation Center	201 N Street SW	Ward 6
Benning Stoddert Recreation Center	100 Stoddert Place SE	Ward 7
Barry Farm Recreation Center	1230 Sumner Road SE	Ward 8
Ferebee-Hope Recreation Center	700 Yuma Street S	Ward 8

 

Pools and Spray Parks 
When it’s hot out, one of the best ways to cool down quickly is to go swimming or splash around in cold water. The District offers free access to indoor pools, outdoor pools, and spray parks for DC residents, operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).  

• Spray parks across the city will operate tomorrow, Thursday, June 19, from 10 am to 5 pm to help people beat the heat. Some spray parks may be offline due to scheduled maintenance. Spray parks will be closed on Friday, June 20, and will reopen for daily operations starting Saturday, June 21. To find the closest spray park, visit dpr.dc.gov/sprayparks.
• Indoor pools are available year-round across the city. Visit dpr.dc.gov/indoorpools for a full list of locations and hours. Please note that indoor pools will be closed on Juneteenth. 
• Outdoor pools will begin operating six days a week on individual schedules starting Saturday, June 21. For locations and schedules, visit dpr.dc.gov/outdoorpools.  

Heat Safety Precautions 
Keep yourself and your family safe from the heat during the summer months by taking the following actions: 

• Drink lots of water: Drink more water, no matter how active you are, and avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, because your body will sweat more on hot days. 
• Rest in cool places: Take frequent breaks in cool, shady areas because your body temperature will increase in the sun. 
• Keep it cool inside: Close the shades on windows that receive sun during the day to decrease the amount of heat coming inside. During the early morning and late evening, open windows and doors to let heat out and let cooler air in. 
• Wear loose clothing and sunscreen: Wear protective, loose-fitting clothing and SPF-15 or higher sunscreen. 
• Take cold showers: Use cold water when showering or bathing to lower your body temperature. 
• Create makeshift air conditioning: Put a bowl of ice or cold water in front of your fan to cool down the blowing air. 
• Keep kids and pets cool: Don’t leave kids or pets alone in cars, ever, because the temperature inside a car can rise very quickly. If you see an animal left outside or in a vehicle on a hot day, call the Brandywine Valley SPCA at (202) 888-PETS. 
• Walk pets safely: Take your pet and/or service animal out in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler. 
• Have your emergency kit handy: Keep your emergency kit available in an easy-to-reach location in case of an emergency. 

Get Help with Utilities 
The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) provides financial assistance, discounts, and energy efficiency programs to help you with utility bills. Visit the Utility Affordability Programs website or call (202) 236-2657 to learn more. 

Know Fire Hydrant Laws 
Unauthorized use of fire hydrants is unlawful, dangerous and damaging. To report a fire hydrant that has been tampered with, please call 311.

Volunteer with the Community Emergency Response Team 
Serve DC offers the chance to volunteer with DC’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), which will allow you to learn more about emergency preparedness and help your fellow community members during a hazard event. Visit the Serve DC CERT page to learn more. 

Senior Wellness Centers
For the most up-to-date information about DACL Senior Wellness Centers, visit dacl.dc.gov/service/senior-wellness-centers. For more information about Senior Centers, seniors are advised to call the District Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) at (202) 724-5626 during regular business hours, or the District’s Call Center at 311 after hours. All DACL Senior Wellness Centers will be closed for Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19, and will reopen on Friday, June 20, for regular daily operations. 

 

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