Dear Neighbor,
Happy Fourth of July weekend, DC! The mayor has activated an extreme heat alert in the District with triple-digit temperatures expected through the Fourth of July holiday weekend. As you prepare for Independence Day festivities, I urge everyone to make sure you are prepared for the extreme weather.
Cooling Centers and Indoor Pools
The District operates free cooling centers with air conditioning and public indoor pools across DC. You can check out the map to identify the closest cooling center or indoor pool to you and get more information on how to beat the heat and stay safe. Additionally, all low-barrier shelters for people experiencing homelessness will serve as cooling centers, regardless of whether a person has an assigned bed.
Spray Parks and Outdoor Pools
Outdoor pools and spray parks will be open on Friday, July 3rd even though the DC government is observing the Independence Day holiday, and on Saturday, July 4th.
Pepco Preparations
My team has been in contact with Pepco to ensure they are prepared for the extreme heat. Pepco crews are on call in case of an outage or other emergency. If a resident or business experiences an outage over the holiday weekend, they should first report it to Pepco either by phone at 1‑877‑737‑2662 or online by clicking here.
Pepco is encouraging customers to take some steps to use energy more efficiently during the extreme weather and has shared these tips:
- Use weather-stripping around draft windows and doors to keep hot air out
- Close your blinds, shades, and drapes during the day
- Turn on ceiling fans or standalone fans while you’re in a room
- Take shorter hot showers
- Avoid placing lamps or TVs near your thermostat because it can sense heat from those devices and can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary
- Turn off unnecessary lights and non-essential appliances and electronics
250th Celebrations
The Independence Day celebrations will be different from previous Fourth of July celebrations with road closures, restricted spaces, enhanced security, later start times, and frequent flyovers. Be sure to review 250.dc.gov for details on the local impacts from the events. You can click on this link for guidance on where you can watch the fireworks show Saturday night.
This year’s Independence Day celebration is a national special security event, and DC residents and visitors are encouraged to use the Metro to get around the District. WMATA has announced fares will be free systemwide from 5pm July 4th to 2am July 5th. Click here for travel guidance from WMATA. You can also check out information on road closures here.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy Independence Day celebration!
Yours in Service,
Brooke
