Montgomery County is under a heat emergency between 11 a.m. Thursday and 9 p.m. Saturday.
During his weekly press conference, County Executive Marc Elrich stressed that the current heat wave is a sign of things to come. Unless people take climate change seriously, high temperatures are here to stay, he said.
“I want to be blunt about what we are experiencing this summer. Got to be real about this. Record breaking temperatures, wildfires, smoke and drought conditions are not mere anomalies and sadly this is becoming the new global new norm,” Elrich said.
“Government is not going to solve this issue. It’s just not possible,” he said. He urged everyone to get involved and work to reduce emissions at their homes and businesses.
Use solar panels, buy electric vehicles and reduce carbon emissions, Elrich urged. He noted that 415 residents have signed up to learn about solar panels so far this year, which may seem like a lot but isn’t in a county with more than one million residents.
Temperatures in the 90s and higher can create medical emergencies. Therefore, the county is opening its homeless shelters during the day and urging the homeless and those without air conditioning to spend time in the county libraries, recreation centers and malls and get water on RideOn buses.
County Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis advised residents to drink plenty of water and stay indoors when possible.
Do not leave children or pets unattended in cars or outdoors during heat emergencies, Elrich said, adding that people should come together and help neighbors who are suffering in the heat.
Apartment owners must keep temperatures below 80 degrees, noted County Assistant Chief Operating Officer Earl Stoddard. Residents who don’t believe their owners are complying should call 311.
