It’s only the third day of the 2024-25 school year in Baltimore City, and city officials declared a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert to be in effect from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. The heat index is set to reach 109 degrees.
Baltimore City College released early, as did Sinclair Lane Elementary School, Pimlico Elementary/Middle School, and Arlington Elementary School.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott said on X (formerly Twitter) that cooling centers have been opened across the region so that residents have safe places to go to get out of the heat and pick up essentials and hydrate. He posted maps, addresses, and phone numbers with those cooling center locations.
Map 1 of 4 with locations of Baltimore City Cooling Centers. Photos from Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s X account. 
Map 2 of 4 with locations of Baltimore City Cooling Centers. Photos from Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s X account. 
Map 3 of 4 with locations of Baltimore City Cooling Centers. Photos from Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s X account. 
Map 4 of 4 with locations of Baltimore City Cooling Centers. Photos from Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s X account.
Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOH) also opened cooling centers at Continuum of Care (CoC) providers for people who need relief from the extreme temperatures.
MOH Cooling Centers:
- Manna House
435 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218
Monday – Friday, 11:30 am – 3 pm - My Sister’s Place Women’s Center – women and children only
17 W. Franklin St., Baltimore, MD 21201
Monday – Sunday, 10:30 am – 5:30 pm - Beans & Bread
400 S. Bond St., Baltimore, MD 21231
Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm - Franciscan Center
101 W. 23rd St., Baltimore, MD 21218
Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm - Weinberg Housing & Resource Center (WHRC)
620 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD 21202
Monday – Sunday, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Residents can call 311 for the latest cooling center hours and information.
Open Pratt Library locations can also serve as relief from the heat for residents.
For an interactive map of Baltimore City cooling centers, click this link.
MOH also has Outreach Teams who coordinate cold water distribution to those experiencing unsheltered houselessness in Baltimore City. The emergency shelters and community outreach offices below will have cold water onsite on Code Red Extreme Heat Alert days like today.
- Holiday Inn Express – Men’s Shelter
221 N. Gay St., Baltimore, MD 21202 - Fairfield Inn – Women’s Shelter
101 S. President St., Baltimore, MD 21202 - Weinberg Housing & Resource Center (WHRC) – Men & Women’s Shelter
620 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD 21202 - Sarah’s Hope Family Shelter
1114 N. Mount St., Baltimore, MD 21217 - People Encouraging People – Outreach Office
4201 Primrose Ave., Baltimore, MD 21215 - Downtown Partnership of Baltimore – Outreach Office
20 S. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201
The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) advises residents to call 311 if you’re unsure whether a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert is in effect, and if you need locations of cooling centers, safety tips, and other information.
Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know is showing signs of heat stroke or other heat-related illness.
For energy assistance, city residents can apply through the State of Maryland’s Emergency Assistance portal, or call 1-800-332-6347. Being without electricity renders people especially vulnerable to heat-related health problems. For older adults, please call 410-396-CARE (2273) for help with energy assistance.
Heat advisories were also issued for Baltimore County, Howard County, and much of the surrounding areas until 7 p.m. Libraries, senior centers, indoor recreation facilities are open in both counties to help residents stay safe and out of the heat.
Maryland Department of the Environment has also issued a code orange air quality forecast for today, so all signs point to staying indoors if at all possible.
