Maryland Cooling Centers

Heatwaves are costly and multi-dimensional!  Operating the air-conditioning, visiting the doctor, declining water levels, lengthening wildfire season, interacting with air quality concerns, increasing the likelihood of more severe tropical storms, increasing sea level, and decreasing worker productivity and educational performance. Source:   https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/07/extreme-heat-will-cost-the-u-s-1-billion-in-health-care-costs-this-summer-alone/ 

But heatwaves are also deadly!  Fun fact:  On average, heatwaves kill more people than any other weather-related disaster. 

Maryland Department of Health tracks heat-related deaths.  Though heat-health impacts are preventable and significant efforts have reduced the impact, nine Maryland residents died of heat in 2023.  Heat deaths are also often under-reported. Source:   https://health.maryland.gov/preparedness/pages/reports_heat.aspx 

Various populations are at a heightened risk for adverse health outcomes.  Those with health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and mental health should take additional precautions. 

But communicating the seriousness of heatwaves is challenging.  Most media outlets often show people drinking water, sitting at the beach.  This is quite different than tornado or hurricane damage which illustrates a “wow factor”!  We must effectively communicate heat risk.  Source:   https://innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Communicating-Heat-Risk.pdf 

Because of heat-trapping gases warming our planet, overnight temperatures are increasing rapidly.  This summer will likely be among the coolest summers of the rest of your life!  Gross.  Source:  https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-hot-overnight-temperatures-are-so-dangerous/ 

The urban landscape retains heat a lot more than the suburbs or more rural areas.  Concrete heats up and retains that heat for a longer period.  Parts of the city may be 15 degrees warmer, simply because of #Geography.

But heat is not solely an urban problem.  Outdoor workers, athletes, and those on fixed- or limited-income are also quite vulnerable.  Source:   https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/rural-monitor/heat 

Limit outdoor exposure.  The sun is hot! 

Defer mowing the grass.  It’ll be there next week and the pollinators will thank you.   

Hydrate often.  With water, not Natty Boh.  Utilize green space and air-conditioned spaces.  Trees are fun!  So are movies. 

Check on neighbors and friends.  Be a good human.  Invite someone over for a refreshing tea.    

There is no silver bullet to address heat as a hazard.  Cooling centers - spaces intended to provide heat relief - are one such opportunity.  This database outlining formal Maryland cooling centers was developed, in part, by Towson University student Jack Hines during the spring 2024 semester. Other locations such as libraries, pools, outdoor recreation areas, and religious centers may be part of other, informal spaces.

A closer look at the City of Baltimore, Maryland.

Should you have corrections, additions, or questions, please contact me directly ( mallen@towson.edu ).  The map is to be used as a reference and individuals should consult with local emergency management, public health, and media professionals regarding the operational strategies of these spaces.

Local health departments and emergency management professionals have resources to help us be better prepared to cope with extreme heat.   

Tools for combatting extreme heat:   https://www.whitehouse.gov/cleanenergy/clean-energy-updates/2023/04/12/planning-tools-for-combatting-extreme-heat 

Planning for Urban Heat Resilience:   https://www.planning.org/publications/report/9245695/ 

Allen, M. J., Whytlaw, J. L., Hutton, N., & Hoffman, J. S. (2023). Heat Mitigation in the Southeastern United States: Are Cooling Centers Equitable and Strategic?. Southeastern Geographer, 63(4), 366-385.