Prince George’s County Cooling Centers

Updated Press Release

For Immediate Release:

June 30, 2012

For Information Contact:

Scott L. Peterson

Deputy Manager of Communications/Press Secretary

PH: 240-619-9400

slpeterson@co.pg.md.us.

(Media only please, residents should call 301-583-1950)

Update: Prince George’s County Cooling Centers

Hyattsville, MD – The Prince George’s County Office of Emergency Management continues to monitor power outages and subsequent problems due to the heat.  The Office of Emergency Management encourages residents, especially the elderly, without power or air conditioning to go to a local cooling center.  A cooling center is a designated public space that has been confirmed to have power and air conditioning.  Unlike a shelter, a cooling center is not staffed with social service personnel nor provides food or water. If residents need personal County assistance they are encouraged to go to the shelter at Northwestern High School, 7000 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville.

As of 12:00 p.m., the County has identified and opened the following locations that have power in the County where residents can find refuge from the heat. (BOLD = New facility or update since previous release)  

·         Baden Community Center, 13601 Baden-Westwood Road, Brandywine

·         Bowie Community Center, 3209 StonyBrook, Bowie

·         Bowie Senior Center, 14900 Health Center Drive, Bowie

·         City of Bowie Gymnasium 4100 Northview Drive, Bowie

·         OakCrest Community Center, 1300 Capitol Heights Blvd, Capitol Heights

·         Camp Springs Senior Activity Center, 6420 Allentown Road, Camp Springs (lost power, will no longer be a cooling center)

·         Suitland Community Center, 5600 Regency Lane, Forestville

·         Prince George's Plaza Community Center, 6600 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville

·         Curry Sports and Learning Complex, 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover

·         Kentland Community Center, 2411 Pinebrook Avenue, Landover

·         Palmer Park Community Center, 7720 Barlowe Rd., Landover

·         Glassmanor Community Center, 1101 Marcy Avenue, Oxon Hill

·         Pepper Mill Community Center, 610 Hill Road, Seat Pleasant

·         Show Place Arena, 14900 Pennsylvania Avenue, Upper Marlboro

The following Prince George’s County Public Libraries have been identified as being open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with working air conditioning:

·         Accokeek Library, 15773 Livingston Rd., Accokeek

·         Bladensburg Library, 4820 Annapolis Rd, Bladensburg

·         Beltsville Library, 4319 Sellman Rd, Beltsville

·         Hyattsville Library, 6530 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville

·         Kettering-Largo Library, 9601 Capital Lane, Largo

·         Laurel Library, 507 7th Street Laurel,

Additionally, due to the lack of power at the Prince George's African American Museum & Cultural Center, the Independence Day Celebration scheduled for today has been rescheduled for July 7th. 

At this time, Pepco is reporting approximately 141,593 customers in the County without power.  BGE and SMECO are reporting 52,548 and 2,817 respectively. Residents without power are encouraged to use flashlights as candles may cause fires. Residents are reminded to only call 9-1-1 if there is an emergency and to not call 9-1-1 to report power outages.

Water restrictions remain in place and are mandatory for all Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) customers, residential and commercial in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Last night’s severe storms knocked out power to WSSC’s two water filtration plants and other facilities.

Partial power has been restored at the water filtration plants; however, some pumping stations remain without power which makes it challenging to move water through the distribution system. Crews from BGE and Pepco continue working to fully restore power their operations.

WSSC’s water is safe to drink, however it is imperative all customers follow the mandatory water restrictions as we work to refill our distribution system. Their ability to support fire protection is limited at this time which is why everyone needs to abide by the water restrictions to ensure water is available in the event of a fire.

Until the distribution system has refilled, it is imperative that all business and residential customers restrict their water use.

Residents need to:

·         Stop all outside water use – no watering lawns, shrubs, flowers; no washing cars, no topping off swimming pools

·         Use water only as necessary – i.e., shorter showers and turn off faucets after washing hands

·         Limit flushing toilets (do not flush after every use)

·         Postpone using washing machines and dishwashers

Residents and media are encouraged to follow @CountyExecBaker on Twitter or “County Executive Rushern Baker” on Facebook for information and updates.  The phone number to the Emergency Operation Center is 301-583-1950.

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