Three Baltimore City schools dismissing early Wednesday due to "high temperatures and mechanical issues"

BALTIMORE --Three Baltimore City schools will be dismissing three hours early on Wednesday because of high temperatures and "mechanical issues," according to the Baltimore City Public Schools.

Sinclair Lane Elementary School, Pimlico Middle/Elementary School and Arlington Elementary School will send their students home early with temperatures expected to reach near 100 degrees.

The WJZ First Alert Weather Team says heat index values will likely exceed 100 degrees in many locations, peaking at 105 to 107 degrees during the hottest part of the afternoon.

A First Alert Day has been issued for Wednesday because of the potentially dangerous heat. A Code Red Extreme Heat Alert has been declared for Baltimore City.

"With the anticipated high-temperature tomorrow, I am issuing a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert," said Mary Beth Haller, Interim Commissioner of Health. "I urge residents—especially older adults, young children, people with pre-existing health conditions, first responders, and frontline workers —to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, and seek relief in shaded or air-conditioned spaces whenever possible." 

The following sites will serve as cooling centers on Wednesday August 28th, from 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

• Waxter Center for Senior Citizens | 1000 Cathedral St. (410) 396-1324
• Oliver Senior Center | 1700 N Gay St. (410) 396-3861
• Zeta Center for Healthy & Active Aging | 4501 Reisterstown Rd. (410) 396-3535
• Hatton Senior Center | 2825 Fait Ave. (410) 396-9025  

The Mayor's Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) sites will open the following locations as cooling centers on Wednesday, August 28th (hours vary by location): 

• My Sisters Place Women's Center (women and children only)
  17 W Franklin St. | 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Weinberg Housing & Resource Center (WHRC) 620 Fallsway | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Manna House 435 E. 25th St. | 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.      

• Franciscan Center 101 W. 23rd St. | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.      

• Beans & Bread 400 S. Bond St. | 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.     

The following Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) sites will serve as cooling centers on Wednesday, August 28th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.:  

• Cherry Hill Homes | 2700 Spelman Road
• Brooklyn Homes | 4140 10th Street  

ShopRite Howard Park (4601 Liberty Heights Ave.) will be open as a community cooling center during their regular hours on Wednesday, August 28th.  

Zion Lutheran Church (400 E. Lexington Street) will serve as a community cooling center on Wednesday, August 28th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Residents seeking relief from the heat can also visit open Pratt Library locations.