Cooling Centers Open on Delmarva Amid Soaring Temperatures

DELMARVA – Counties are designating sites as cooling centers ahead of record-breaking temperatures expected to blanket the Delmarva Peninsula this weekend.

With temperatures forecasted to soar above 100 degrees, Delmarvans are advised to stay indoors as much as possible. The following locations are offering free air-conditioning to help residents keep cool.

Kent County

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has opened cooling centers across the state to provide residents with a safe place to escape the heat. 

• Smyrna State Service Center
  • Located at 100 Sunnyside Road, Smyrna, DE 19977
  • Contact at (302-514-4503)
  • Open Jun. 30 through Jul. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Williams State Service Center
  • Located at 805 River Road, Dover, DE 19901
  • Contact at (302-857-5000)
  • Open Jun. 30 through Jul. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Open until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Jul. 1)
• Power in Praise Ministries
  • Located at 14 Clark Street, Harrington, DE 19952
  • Contact at (302-566-5039)
  • Open Jun. 30 through Jul. 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sussex County

Sussex County’s Department of Public Safety has established four cooling centers in addition to the ones established by DHSS; all seven are listed below.

• Adams State Service Center
  • Located at 546 Bedford Street, Georgetown, DE 19947
  • Contact at (302-515-3004)
  • Open Jun. 30 through Jul. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Open until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Jul. 1)
• Laurel State Service Center
  • Located at 31039 North Poplar Street, Laurel, DE 19956
  • Contact at (302-875-8402)
  • Open Jun. 30 through Jul. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Shipley State Service Center
  • Located at 350 Virginia Avenue, Seaford, DE 19973
  • Contact at (302-628-7000)
  • Open Jun. 30 through Jul. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• County Administration Building
  • Located at 2 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947
  • Contact at (302-855-7700)
  • Open Jul. 1 through Jul. 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Greenwood Library
  • Located at 100 Mill Street, Greenwood, DE 19950
  • Contact at (302-855-1242)
  • Open Jul. 1 through Jul. 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Milton Library
  • Located at 121 Union Street, Milton, DE 19968
  • Contact at (302-855-1975)
  • Open Jul. 1 through Jul. 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• South Coastal Library
  • Located at 43 Kent Avenue, Bethany Beach, DE 19930
  • Contact at (302-858-5518)
  • Open Jul. 1 through Jul. 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Dorchester County

The Dorchester County Health Department has several cooling centers located in Cambridge and Hurlock. Additionally, Jones Mini Mart on Pine Street in Cambridge offers free water.

• Cambridge Library
  • Located at 330 Gay Street, Cambridge, MD 21613
  • Contact at (410-228-7331)
  • Open Jun. 30 through Jul. 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Overflow Cafe Ministries
  • Located at 400 Muir Street, Cambridge, MD 21613
  • Contact at (443-477-6291)
  • Open Jul. 2 through Jul. 3, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• One Mission Cambridge
  • Located at 614 Race Street, Cambridge, MD 21613
  • Contact at (410-901-3959)
  • Open Jul. 2, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• New Birth Ministries at United Missionary Baptist Church
  • Located at 1006 Phillips Street, Cambridge, MD 21613
  • Contact at (410-228-0229)
  • Open Jul. 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Hurlock Library
  • Located at 222 South Main Street, Hurlock, MD 21643
  • Contact at (410-943-4331)
  • Open Jun. 30 through Jul. 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Open Jul. 2, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• St. Andrews Episcopal Church
  • Located at 303 South Main Street, Hurlock, MD 21643
  • Contact at (443-366-4652)
  • Open Jul. 3, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Talbot County

Talbot County Emergency Services have designated five locations as cooling centers. Because hours and availability are subject to change, residents are advised to call centers ahead of arrival for the most up-to-date information and guidelines.

Image Courtesy of Talbot County Emergency Services

Wicomico County

The Wicomico County Health Department tells WMDT they plan to open an additional cooling center later this week, but details have not been provided at this time.

• Help and Outreach Point of Entry
  • Located at 129 Broad Street, Salisbury, 21801
  • Contact at (410-677-0757)
  • Open Jul. 3 through Jul. 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• MAC Inc., Area Agency on Aging (for those aged 55+)
  • Located at 909 Progress Circle, Salisbury, 21804
  • Contact at (410-742-0505)
  • Open Jun. 30 through Jul. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Worcester County

The Worcester County Health Department says residents should look to their local libraries and recreational centers for spots to cool down. You can find Worcester County Public Library branch information below. Please note all locations will be closed on Saturday, Jul. 4, for the holiday, and remained closed on Sunday, Jul. 5, per normal operating hours.

• Berlin Library
  • Located at 13 Harrison Avenue, Berlin, MD 21811
  • Contact at (410-641-0650)
  • Open Jun. 30 through Jul. 3 (hours vary daily)
• Ocean City Library 
  • Located at 10003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842
  • Contact at (410-524-1818)
  • Open Jun. 30 through Jul. 3 (hours vary daily)
• Ocean Pines Library
  • Located at 11107 Cathell Road, Ocean Pines, MD 21811
  • Contact at (410-208-4014)
  • Open Jun. 30 through Jul. 3 (hours vary daily)
• Pocomoke Library
  • Temporarily located at 401 5th Street, Unit 100, Pocomoke City, MD 21851
  • Contact at (410-957-0878)
  • Open Jun. 30 through Jul. 3 (hours vary daily)
• Snow Hill Library
  • Temporarily located at 301 Bank Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863
  • Contact at (410-632-5622)
  • Open Jun. 30 through Jul. 3 (hours vary daily)

WMDT will continue to update this list as changes are made and as new centers are announced.