DC activates heat emergency plan

WASHINGTON (AP) -- With temperatures reaching above 95 degrees and a heatwave predicted through the weekend, District of Columbia officials are activating a heat emergency.

Officials announced Friday that they are activating the heat emergency plan and taking several steps to help people stay cool.

The city will open cooling centers and extend the hours at some pools and spray parks. United Planning Organization vans will canvass for people experiencing heat-related stress. The city is activating its hypothermia hotline: 1-800-535-7252. People can call that number for a ride to a cooling center.

Residents are being urged to drink plenty of water, stay in shaded and air-conditioned places as much as possible and to check on elderly neighbors and friends.

Valuable Heat Weather Links:

DC heat wave: When temps will peak this weekend

Details of D.C.'s Heat Emergency Plan and full list of cooling centers, spray parks and swimming pools

Map of D.C. cooling centers

More Heat Emergency Information

5 DC heat waves that were really, really bad