Dangerous heat prompts Code Red Extreme Heat Alert in Baltimore, open cooling centers
The blast of heat could make the temperatures feel like they're at least 105 degrees.
The Code Red Extreme Heat Alert will allow Baltimore City to enhance safety protocols to protect city employees, particularly frontline and outdoor employees, including sanitation crews, public works staff, emergency responders, and others working in high-exposure environments.
"With dangerous heat in the forefront, our top priority is protecting the health and well-being of our residents," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said. "Extreme heat can be life-threatening, especially for our older adults, children, pets, and our police officers, firefighters, EMTs, Sanitation workers, and all city employees who work tirelessly outdoors to keep our community clean and safe."
The alert also allows Baltimore to open several cooling centers throughout the city.
According to the Baltimore City Health Department, Code Red Extreme Heat Alerts are prompted when temperatures are considered to be dangerous.
"As we head into what will be an extremely hot weekend, I am issuing a Code Red Extreme Heat alert to protect the health and safety of our community," said Interim Health Commissioner Mary Beth Haller. "I urge everyone to take precautions – stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, and check in on neighbors and loved ones."
The WJZ First Alert Team issued Alert Days for Friday through Sunday due to the risk of dangerous heat, particularly for those who are working outdoors.
Friday will be one of the toughest days of the heatwave. High temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 90s to near 100 degrees, but topical levels of humidity will make the heat feel dangerously hot. It will easily feel hotter than 100 degrees. A few neighborhoods could feel as hot as 110 degrees on Friday afternoon.
Saturday and Sunday will feature more brutal heat and humidity.
Several cooling centers will be open throughout Baltimore.
Friday, July 25
Saturday, July 26
Monday, July 28
Tuesday, July 29
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says these tips can help prevent heat-related illnesses:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Howard County issues heat alert as temperatures, humidity soar in Maryland
Howard County has issued a heat alert from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday due to dangerous temperatures and high humidity. The WJZ First Alert Team issued Alert Days for Friday through Sunday due to the risk of dangerous heat, especially for those working outside. Temperatures are expected to stay in the low to mid-90s, but high humidity and heat index values reaching up to 109 degrees Fahrenheit will make it feel significantly hotter. These conditions can cause heat-related illness, the county said. On Thursday, Howard County Health Department officials urged residents to take precautions during extreme heat. Lenora Painter, director of the Bureau of Infection Control and Public Health Readiness at the Howard County Health Department, said tips include limiting physical activity to early morning, finding shade, and staying hydrated. Painter also emphasized the importance of checking on others. "We can make sure that we have decided as a community, area, neighborhood, that we want to make sure we are helping each other," Painter said. According to Painter, there have been 12 heat-related deaths so far this year in Maryland. When the heat index is 90 degrees or higher, or when excessive heat watches, warnings, or advisories are in effect, people should take steps to cool down immediately if they notice a rapid escalation of heat illness symptoms, Painter said. She recommended creating a "cool room plan" by identifying the coolest space in your home to go to when feeling overheated. Keeping fans on and using blackout curtains are also advised. Howard County also has more than 50 cooling centers, available. Symptoms of heat illness include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, elevated body temperature, and heavy sweating, according to the CDC. The National Weather Service suggests removing excess clothing, loosening garments, and using water or ice to help cool person down if you are experiencing symptoms.
CBS News
5 days ago
- CBS News
Dangerous heat prompts Code Red Extreme Heat Alert in Baltimore, open cooling centers
Baltimore City has issued a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert with extreme heat expected across Maryland through Tuesday, July 29. The blast of heat could make the temperatures feel like they're at least 105 degrees. The Code Red Extreme Heat Alert will allow Baltimore City to enhance safety protocols to protect city employees, particularly frontline and outdoor employees, including sanitation crews, public works staff, emergency responders, and others working in high-exposure environments. "With dangerous heat in the forefront, our top priority is protecting the health and well-being of our residents," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said. "Extreme heat can be life-threatening, especially for our older adults, children, pets, and our police officers, firefighters, EMTs, Sanitation workers, and all city employees who work tirelessly outdoors to keep our community clean and safe." The alert also allows Baltimore to open several cooling centers throughout the city. According to the Baltimore City Health Department, Code Red Extreme Heat Alerts are prompted when temperatures are considered to be dangerous. "As we head into what will be an extremely hot weekend, I am issuing a Code Red Extreme Heat alert to protect the health and safety of our community," said Interim Health Commissioner Mary Beth Haller. "I urge everyone to take precautions – stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, and check in on neighbors and loved ones." The WJZ First Alert Team issued Alert Days for Friday through Sunday due to the risk of dangerous heat, particularly for those who are working outdoors. Friday will be one of the toughest days of the heatwave. High temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 90s to near 100 degrees, but topical levels of humidity will make the heat feel dangerously hot. It will easily feel hotter than 100 degrees. A few neighborhoods could feel as hot as 110 degrees on Friday afternoon. Saturday and Sunday will feature more brutal heat and humidity. Several cooling centers will be open throughout Baltimore. Friday, July 25 Saturday, July 26 Monday, July 28 Tuesday, July 29 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says these tips can help prevent heat-related illnesses:
CBS News
08-07-2025
- CBS News
Extreme heat alert issued in Baltimore Tuesday for triple digit heat index
Baltimore is under a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert Tuesday as the heat index is expected to reach triple digits during the afternoon. The alert is issued when the city sees dangerously high temperatures and humidity levels, which could put children and vulnerable adults at risk. On Tuesday, feels like temperatures could peak at 107 degrees, according to WJZ's First Alert Weather Team. Heat safety protocols in Baltimore When the heat alert is issued in Baltimore, several safety protocols are put in place to protect city employees, especially those who work outdoors, like sanitation crews and emergency personnel. Residents are also encouraged to take precautions during high temperatures. "Excessive heat is not just uncomfortable, it is a serious health risk – especially for older adults, children, individuals with chronic health challenges, those who work or spend time outdoors, and pets," said Mayor Brandon Scott. On Tuesday, Baltimore's Department of Public Works (DPW) implemented changes to trash pickup times for the summer. Collection times will change from 6 a.m. to 5 a.m. in an effort to protect workers from the heat. The 5 a.m. collection time will continue through September 30. DPW's heat prevention plan also allows workers to take more breaks and end their routes early if the conditions become unsafe. Heat-related deaths Baltimore has reported one heat-related death so far this summer, according to health officials. In Maryland, at least eight people have died due to high temperatures as of July 2, according to a state Health Department report. The heat-related deaths were reported as Maryland experienced a heat wave that sent temperatures into the triple digits at the end of June. Cooling centers in Baltimore During the heat alert, the following cooling centers are open in Baltimore:
