Carroll County Cooling Centers Open, Air Quality Alert in Effect August 18

The National Weather Service has placed an Air Quality Alert in effect for Carroll County August 18. 

Because of the anticipated high temperatures and humidity, the Carroll County Department of Citizen Services will operate six cooling centers around the county today and any Code Orange days.

Residents who are vulnerable to extreme heat and who do not have air-conditioning in their homes are encouraged to cool off in any of the following locations until the close of business:

- Citizen Services Office Building: Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

- Mount Airy Senior and Community Center:Open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

- North Carroll Senior and Community Center: Open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

- South Carroll Senior and Community Center: Open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

- Taneytown Senior and Community Center: Open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

- Westminster Senior and Community Center: Open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

- All branches of the Carroll County Public Library System: open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

- Grace Lutheran Church: Open from noon to 6 p.m. during Code Orange and Red days that fall on Sundays. 

Water will be available for those who need it at any of the cooling centers.

The Carroll County Emergency Management Division encourages people to slow down, reduce strenuous activities, wear loose, lightweight and light colored clothing, eat fewer proteins, drink plenty of water and stay in air-conditioning.