D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland, activated Hypothermia alerts Monday night as overnight temperatures fall to the low 30s. Here’s what you need to know. The National Weather Service said the wind chill values are expected to be in the upper 20s and conditions will remain dry throughout the early part of Tuesday morning. According to the Mayo Clinic, someone exposed to colder than normal conditions can cause their body temperature to drop, leading to organs such as the heart and nervous system not working correctly. Hypothermia can cause heart failure, respiratory issues and possibly death if left untreated. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a press release that residents must remain vigilant and help those in need of a shelter by calling the city’s Shelter Hotline (202) 399-7093 or by dialing 311. D.C.’s alert is active from 7 p.m. Monday night until 7 a.m. Tuesday morning.
🚨 NOTICE 🚨
Nov 15, 2021: the District’s Hypothermia Alert will be ACTIVATED at 7 PM. Protect vulnerable neighbors, elderly from cold weather injury, death. If you see someone in need of shelter call: ☎️ 202-399-7093 or 311. 📞 911 if there’s an immediate safety risk. pic.twitter.com/d5x5XKfEhC — Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) November 15, 2021
The following low-barrier and seasonal shelters will be open to serve D.C. residents during the alert: Adams Place (Men); 801 East (Men); New York Avenue (Men); Harriet Tubman (Women); Pat Handy Legacy (Men); Pat Handy Swing (Women); St. Josephine’s (Women); and Sherwood Recreation Center (Women). Montgomery County’s alert started at 7 p.m. Monday and set to last until 9 a.m. Tuesday. Residents are asked to stay inside if possible or take precautions going outside. Also, residents are asked to notice the warning signs of someone suffering from Hypothermia or frostbite, a bodily injury caused by freezing.
A #HypothermiaAlert has been issued for Montgomery County from 7 p.m. tonight through 9 a.m. tomorrow morning! @ReadyMontgomery Expect the temperature and/or wind chill to be below 32 degrees. Take precautions if you spend significant time outdoors ➡️ https://t.co/BQtPreFK0j. pic.twitter.com/YiH7AiTFZt
— Montgomery County MD (@MontgomeryCoMD) November 15, 2021
The county also said that animals must not be left outside unattended during a Cold Emergency Alert or pet owners will be fined. Pets should be inside or to have an “have an adequate heat source” that was approved Montgomery County Office of Animal Services. The penalty for not following the county’s animal heating rules during an alert is $500.