State Issues Heat Advisory for July 4th and 5th

BALTIMORE, MD (July 4, 2012) – As the extreme heat continues in the region, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is releasing a heat advisory for today, July 4th in the Capital, Central and Southern regions of Maryland, and for all of Maryland on Thursday, July 5th. Jurisdictions in these regions may also activate heat response plans.

According to the DHMH Maryland Heat Emergency Plan, an Extreme Heat Event is a weather condition with excessive heat and/or humidity that has the potential to cause heat- related illnesses. It is also defined as a day or series of days when the Heat Index reaches 105 degrees Fahrenheit. DHMH activates the Plan any time the forecast shows a high chance of reaching the trigger point of 105 degrees.

Additional information, including the State Heat Plan, Heat Reports, FAQs, and tips is posted under Extreme Heat under Hot Topics at www.dhmh.maryland.gov.

Daily Heat Reports are posted after 4 p.m. on the DHMH home page under Reports during the current weather emergency.

Marylanders in need of a cooling center should visit the state’s Cooling Center link at www.maryland.gov.

DHMH is continuing to work with preparedness and response partners to monitor conditions at skilled nursing facilities and dialysis centers and is responding to requests for assistance from local health departments.

For additional weather emergency-related information and inquiries, contact the on-duty Public Information Officer at the State’s Emergency Operations Center at 410-517-3600 or log on towww.mema.state.md.us. Follow the Operations Center on Twitter at @mdmema.