Prince Frederick, MD. – With freezing temperatures continuing from overnight, Calvert County’s Department of Public Safety wants residents to know there are several places to go to get warm. The county’s community centers are open during regular hours and safe drinking water is available in each of them. Residents who need to take refuge from the cold can go to one of the following locations:

Northeast Community Center
4075 Gordon Stinnett Ave., Chesapeake Beach
Open Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m., and Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.

Mt. Hope Community Center
100 Pushaw Station Road, Sunderland
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., and Sunday, noon-6 p.m.

Southern Community Center
20 Appeal Lane, Lusby
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; closed Sunday

Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center
130 Auto Drive, Prince Frederick
Open Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

During extreme cold weather events, the primary concern is the potential loss of heat, power, telephone service or a shortage of supplies if storm or weather conditions continue. Residents should have the following items available in their homes during cold weather:

  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Battery-operated NOAA weather radio and portable radio to receive emergency information; these may be your only links to the outside
  • Extra food and water; high-energy food and food requiring no cooking or refrigeration is best
  • Extra medicine and baby items
  • First aid supplies
  • Heating fuel
  • Emergency heating source (fireplace, wood stove, space heater, etc.)
  • Fire extinguisher and smoke detector

Residents are encouraged to consider family members or neighbors with special needs and assist them in preparing for winter weather. To stay informed if bad weather approaches, residents should monitor local television channels, radio stations and the Internet. The Calvert County government website at www.co.cal.md.us and Facebook page provide updates on local preparations and county government closures when necessary.