Cold Emergency Alert Issued By Montgomery County As Temps Set To Drop

SILVER SPRING, MD — As arctic winds move in behind Maryland's first snowstorm of the season and temperatures plunge below freezing, Montgomery County will be under a cold emergency alert.

Montgomery County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will issue the alert starting at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, and lasting through 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. Extremely cold weather is expected to drop temperatures into the teens and single digits, officials said, with wind chill lows during the period expected to be in the single digits and near zero degrees.

The National Weather Service forecast says the low in the county will be 13 degrees Tuesday, a high of 27 on Wednesday and a low of 16 that night.

A cold emergency alert is the highest level of extreme temperature alert issued by the county. It is activated when temperature combined with wind chill are forecast to be below 20 degrees and other hazardous conditions are present. These conditions pose a significant threat to exposed human and animal life.

The conditions may include wind chill advisories or warnings from the National Weather Service and/or significant snow accumulation.

The county’s Hypothermia Alert page has more information on steps to take before and during the extreme temperature conditions.

“Exposure to cold temperatures, even for a short time, can carry significant health risks to include hypothermia,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “All residents should take extra precautions to stay warm, particularly our most vulnerable residents, including older adults and individuals with chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease that may increase their risk of side effects related to cold temperatures.”

"There is always a particular concern during periods of extreme cold for children, seniors, individuals who are homeless and animals. Everyone spending time outside should take necessary precautions against the extreme cold. Frostbite can occur with as little as 30 minutes of exposure to the cold," county officials said. "Anyone spending time outside should dress in layers of warm clothing and wear a hat. Nearly half of body heat is lost through the head. Cover mouths to protect lungs from extreme cold. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves."

Don't ignore shivering, which is a first sign your body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors. Try to stay indoors if possible. Take extra precautions if you work or spend long amounts of time outdoors. Wear extra layers and when possible, take frequent breaks in a warm location.

All Montgomery County facilities, such as libraries, recreation centers and senior centers, when open during their regular hours, can be used by anyone needing an escape from the cold. Public shopping centers are also available as warm locations during their hours of operation.

The Maggie Nightingale Library in Poolesville and the Noyes Library for Young Children in Kensington will be closed Tuesday.

Montgomery County Health and Human Services staff, as well as community-based providers, will continue to reach out to people who are experiencing homelessness to urge them to seek shelter during the extreme cold temperatures over the next several days.

Residents concerned about the well-being of a homeless individual can call the 24-hour Line at 240-907-2688. Outreach partners will attempt to locate the individual and offer resources and support. Preparations are also being made in case emergency shelters are needed because of power outages or other emergencies.

If a resident is facing a utility shut off, the County’s Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Home Energy Programs may be able to help. Call OHEP at 240-777-4450 or call 3-1-1. Apply online at https://mymdthink.maryland.gov/home/#/.

Pets must not be left outside unattended during extreme cold temperatures, according to Executive Regulation 17-17. Leaving a pet outside unattended in these conditions may be considered an act of cruelty and pet owners could be charged and fined accordingly. This regulation is enforced by the Office of Animal Services, under the authority of its executive director.