As the Washington region sweats through another week of scorching temperatures — one of the hottest runs of days on record — and little relief in sight, local governments are warning residents to remain indoors, keep blinds drawn against the sun, take cold showers or baths, and drink water.
Washington, D.C
DC named one of the sweatiest cities in the country in new study
![DC named one of the sweatiest cities in the country in new study](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5dc.com/www.fox5dc.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1280/720/6d78cacd-GettyImages-2158042583.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
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WASHINGTON – Washington D.C., known for iconic monuments, political figures and vibrant culture, gets to add a new achievement under its belt: a ranking as the third sweatiest city in America.
In a study done by Thumbtack, D.C. came right behind Austin and Atlanta for the title of sweatiest city. Thumbtack stated that the cities were determined based on, “the most requests for projects including central air conditioning repair or maintenance, central air conditioning installation or replacement, window, wall or portable AC repair or maintenance, fan installation and thermostat installation or repair between May and June 2024.”
It’s not just heat that plays a role in D.C.’s sweat problem, humidity is a large contributing factor. For those familiar with the geography of the city, its proximity to water, namely the Potomac River, adds moisture to the air in an already hot area. This high humidity, coupled with the record-breaking temperatures seen this summer, creates lots of sweat.
The next time you step outside in D.C. enjoy the beauty, the culture and decidedly hot and sticky outdoors for a sweat-fulled summer in the city.
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Washington, D.C
DC officials hold meeting over fallen Garfield Park tree that killed woman
![DC officials hold meeting over fallen Garfield Park tree that killed woman](https://wjla.com/resources/media/5ed289d3-b7c0-4755-a146-dff9c3550e18-large16x9_WEFALLENTREEFATALITY_frame_1550.jpeg)
WASHINGTON (7News) — On Monday night, D.C. officials held a meeting to discuss their response after a tree fell and killed a woman at Garfield Park last week.
The Urban Forestry Division under the District Department of Transportation cares for the more than 170,000 public trees in the District.
A department official said every tree in Garfield Park has been inspected no fewer than three times since 2016.
The tree that killed 35-year-old Sarah Noah of Southeast D.C. was inspected a couple of times in recent years over public requests for pruning.
READ MORE | Witnesses describe loud noises prior to deadly tree fall in Southeast DC park
One request was in December 2018. Officials said it was inspected that day and pruned four months later.
Another request was made in May 2022. It was inspected that day and pruned two months later.
Inspections showed the tree was listed in good condition with no indication of internal decay.
In fact, in October 2023 the North American Tree Climbing Championships was held in Garfield Park, and that tree was heavily used. Before the competition, experts inspected and assessed the tree and found no issues.
DDOT said this past April an independent consultant reviewed the trees for an upcoming playground renovation and found no issues with this tree.
DDOT did not provide any explanation as to what caused this accident.
READ MORE | Deadly tree branch incident in DC prompts safety assessment
“Even with that tree having fallen apart, there was no single defect or characteristic that made us go, ah, of course. This is, you may have heard me describe this earlier in the week as unforeseeable,” said DDOT Associate Director for Urban Forestry Division Earl Eutsler.
Attendees expressed concerns about the irrigation system at the park and asked whether the North American Tree Climbing Championships contributed to this accident, but Eutsler said those were not connected to this accident.
DDOT has reviewed all 261 trees in the park. 215 are in good or excellent condition. 6 are in poor condition and scheduled to be removed. All those trees are rather small.
The median diameter of the trees at Garfield Park is 14 inches. Very few trees are 45 inches or larger in diameter.
Washington, D.C
The scene of D.C.’s heat wave: Cooling centers, free water, canceled events
![The scene of D.C.’s heat wave: Cooling centers, free water, canceled events](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/G4EG66SFQGSEGERXNOJ4AXIEEA_size-normalized.jpg&w=1440)
The D.C. area on Monday hit record temperatures for the second day in a row, with another high of 101. The weather forced officials to shutter outdoor day camps and sporting events and prompted Prince George’s County to push trash pickup an hour earlier through September.
The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang forecasts the earlier half of this week is expected to reach the upper 90s and 100s through Wednesday. Elected leaders from across the region are warning residents to be careful.
“Reminder: we are in an Extended Heat Emergency through Wednesday, July 17,” D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) posted on X Monday morning. “Please stay cool and check on seniors and neighbors.”
The District has opened up nearly 120 cooling stations across the city for residents at community pools, community centers, and shelters for anyone in need of relief as the city braces for another week of triple-digit weather.
Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis and the company’s Doctors Community Medical Center have seen increased numbers of patients reporting to emergency rooms with symptoms of heat exhaustion, including employees who work outdoors, according to Sunil Madan, chief medical officer at the Lanham site.
Physical conditions can deteriorate over hours if people don’t take the proper precautions to replenish fluids and to rest frequently, in cool environments if possible, Madan said.
More severe heat illnesses can result in organ failure, especially for people who suffer from co-morbidity conditions, Madan said.
“Hydrate. Take breaks. Wear sunscreen. Wear a hat,” Madan said. “The information is out there, the warnings. But I do think the public needs to be more aware and heed. It’s a serious thing.”
D.C. Fire and EMS Captain Renaldo Bell said medics have responded to treat patients dealing with cramping, heat exhaustion and, in rare cases, heat stroke. Many calls result from people who get overheated while exercising in extreme heat and children who play in pools and lie out in the sun but fail to continually hydrate.
“The pool will keep you cool, but you’re actually sweating with the energy and playing and you’re losing a lot of sodium and electrolytes,” Bell said.
The city’s pools and cooling centers help lessen the number and severity of calls, Bell said, but responders still have concerns about elderly residents who may not venture outside.
“A lot of the time the elderly don’t like a lot of air, and then it gets hotter than they expect,” Bell said. “At this point you’re dealing with the heat stroke type of environments.”
Mild heat-related symptoms include cramping from a lack of replenishment of fluids. But as conditions worsen, heat exhausted patients may feel faint, sweat profusely and deal with nausea symptoms or vomiting, Bell said. People suffering from heat stroke may have headaches, dry skin, vomiting or fall unconscious.
Maryland’s most populated county — Montgomery — has opted to not open cooling centers, but is urging residents seeking relief to head to public buildings such as libraries and community centers this week.
“We don’t specifically set up specific buildings for cooling centers because historically we believe the majority of residents have access to air conditions,” said Mary Anderson, a county spokesperson. “That said, at the drop of the hat, we are ready to set up cooling stations if, for example, we knew all of Wheaton was without power.”
Free water will be available on Montgomery County Ride On buses.
In Prince George’s County, outdoor programs have been canceled while cooling stations remain open. The county has also opted to move trash removal one hour earlier due to conditions outside. Outdoor recreational programs in Prince George’s have been canceled for Monday.
Fairfax County in Virginia has also opened cooling stations. The county school district announced all activities such as team practices and other outdoor extracurriculars have been canceled.
As of Monday afternoon, the county had not closed any camps or parks. “We continue to encourage all parents — particularly those parents of participants in outdoor camps — to make sure their child comes prepared with appropriate clothing, water bottle and sun protection,” said county spokesperson Ben Boxer.
The city of Alexandria has suspended all outdoor programming until 8 p.m. Monday. This includes organized sports and camps, according to Ebony Fleming, the chief spokesperson. The parks are still open.
Loudoun County has also not yet closed parks or community facilities, according to Kraig Troxell, a spokesperson for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. Cooling centers are open for residents.
Washington, D.C
13-year-old charged with armed carjacking at Northwest DC gas station
![13-year-old charged with armed carjacking at Northwest DC gas station](https://www.dcnewsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/handcuffs-1.jpg?w=1280)
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Police in D.C. said officers arrested a 13-year-old boy in connection to an armed carjacking that took place at an Exxon gas station in Northwest.
Around 2:40 a.m. on Saturday, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said the teen approached the victim with a gun in the 3500 block of Connecticut Avenue, Northwest, and demanded the keys to the car. The victim complied and the teen drove away.
Police said shortly after, officers located the vehicle and the 13-year-old in Southeast.
Police arrested and charged him with armed carjacking.
According to data from the MPD, carjackings are down across the District by nearly 50%.
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