Dorchester Health Dept. Preparing for Extreme Heat

(CAMBRIDGE, Md) – Dangerous heat could put a number of people at risk going into the holiday weekend.

At the Meredith House in Cambridge, the Dorchester County Historical Society is gearing up for their 4th of July celebrations. On what’s going to be the hottest day of the year so far, so they’re taking no chances.

“We will be featuring cooling stations, complimentary water, a couple of, ways to stay in the shade,” says Historical Society Director, Marcos Salaverria.

They’re not the only ones working to get out in front of those triple digit temperatures either.

The Dorchester County Health Department is preparing these cool-off bags to hand out to seniors and homeless people before the heat starts. As they’re among some of the groups the most at risk.

“We are taking them all over the community. We will be out Thursday handing them out. The Cambridge Police Department and the Hurlock, the Police Department has some on hand ready for anyone in the community who may need it,” says Dorchester Health Department Community Resilience Officer, Latoya Jackson.

And the 100-plus degree days will arrive just before the start of Independence Day festivities…which means plenty of people could be feeling the effects of the heat, increased by drinking alcohol.

Dorchester Health Department Emergency Preparedness Planner, Hannah Mayhew tells WMDT, “Things can go pretty bad, pretty fast. So we try to say limit when you can. Definitely don’t push it. Yeah. If you are starting to experience signs of heatstroke, that’s definitely time to call 911.”

Cooling centers will also be open across Dorchester County throughout the heat wave.

The following locations will be open according to the Health Department:

·         New Birth Ministries, 1006 Phillips St., Cambridge

o   Friday, July 3, 10-4

·         St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 303 S. Main St., Hurlock

o   Friday, July 3, 12-4