By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO
Hypothermia Season – that time of the year when Washington, D.C. routinely experiences cold temperatures and hazardous weather events – has begun, running from Nov. 1 through March 31, 2025.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, recognizing the many challenges to health and safety that people will face during Hypothermia Season, has urged residents to stay vigilant and support their neighbor as temperatures begin to plummet. She issued the first hypothermia alert of the year on Nov. 12.
“We look out for each other in Washington, DC, and when it’s cold outside, we ask everyone to be extra vigilant,” Mayor Bowser said in a statement. “As the days and nights get colder, let’s work together to keep our community safe and healthy.”
However, as the weather turns cold, many residents have the same question: What can I do to help neighbors experiencing homelessness?
The Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA) for DC Government (www.ota.dc.gov) provides several recommendations and suggests that residents save the Shelter Hotline number (202-399-7093) in case it is needed in the future. By contacting the Shelter Hotline, individuals can request transportation to a shelter for a resident experiencing homelessness but must also provide a location as well as a description of the person for whom transportation is being requested.
“The District provides outreach and assistance, welfare checks, warming items and transportation to shelter 24 hours a day, seven days a week and whenever a Hypothermia Alert is called, DC expands its shelter capacity to ensure that there is a warm bed available for everyone in need,” OTA explains on its website.
Residents can sign up to receive notifications about when a Hypothermia Alert or Cold Weather Emergency have been issued at alertdc.dc.gov. Residents should also familiarize themselves with the distinctions between the two kinds of notifications which, again, can be found on the OTA website and are summarized below:
The District will issue a Hypothermia Alert when the National Weather Service (NWS) published forecast indicates that the following threshold criteria are met (including wind chill):
Daytime: actual or forecasted temperature is 32°F or below. Overnight: when the temperature is forecasted to be either 40°F or below and the predicted chance of precipitation is 50 percent or greater, or 32°F or below.
The District will issue a Cold Weather Emergency when the temperature falls or is forecasted to fall to 15°F or below, or 20°F and one or more of the following conditions exists: steady precipitation for 60 consecutive minutes; snow accumulation of 3 inches or more; other meteorological conditions or threats as determined by HSEMA.
Medical experts suggest that residents take every possible step to protect themselves from hypothermia with recommendations that include remain inside if possible; cover up and limit exposed skin when you go outside; check on neighbors and learn the signs of hypothermia, especially in young children and the elderly.
Finally, while those who believe they may be experiencing health challenges related to hypothermia should, of course, seek immediate medical attention, there are several telltale signs.
According to the Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.org), symptoms of hypothermia include shivering; slurred speech or mumbling; slow, shallow breathing; weak pulse; clumsiness or lack of coordination; drowsiness or very low energy; confusion or memory loss; and loss of consciousness.
Throughout Hypothermia Season, the District maintains overflow sites to ensure that warm and safe places are available for those experiencing homelessness. Visit cold.dc.gov for a list of shelters. Contact the Human Rescue Alliance (202-723-5730) for animal emergencies including those left outside in extreme temperatures. For more cold weather information or tips to better prepare for frigid temperatures and winter conditions, visit ready.dc.gov/winterwx.
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