A stretch of unseasonably hot May weather turned deadly in Maryland on Wednesday, when a Calvert County man in his 70s or 80s died from heat-related illness. It is the first confirmed heat-related death in the state this year. State records already show a noticeable uptick in heat-related emergency visits and 911 calls as the heat season gets underway, and officials are urging extra caution for older adults and people with chronic health conditions.
The Maryland Department of Health confirmed the death and identified the decedent as a man between 70 and 80 who died in Calvert County, according to CBS Baltimore. Maryland Secretary of Health Dr. Meena Seshamani told the outlet that residents should use cooling centers and check on people at higher risk as hotter days arrive.
Baltimore City has already launched a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert season that runs through September and coordinates cooling centers, library and park openings, and public messaging during declared Code Red days, according to Baltimore City. The rollout will push Code Red notices through the Health Department and 311 to help residents find relief when the city declares extreme-heat days.
State Data And Last Summer's Toll
Maryland’s new Weather-Related Illness Data Dashboard shows 145 emergency department and urgent-care visits and 150 emergency-service calls for heat-related illness so far this year, reflecting early-season activity, according to the Maryland Department of Health. The dashboard is updated every Wednesday with data on emergency department visits, EMS calls, and weather-related deaths. The department’s 2025 heat-season summary recorded 34 heat-related deaths, up from 27 the previous year, with most fatalities clustered in late June during a stretch of above-average temperatures, per the state’s 2025 summary report.
Relief And Simple Precautions
Health officials are urging Marylanders to stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and high-sugar drinks, wear loose, lightweight clothing, and limit outdoor activity during the hottest hours; cooling centers have opened across several counties, and 2-1-1 can help locate the nearest site, as reported by CBS Baltimore. Neighbors are being asked to check on older adults, people with chronic illnesses, and anyone without reliable access to air conditioning.
Signs of a heat-related emergency include confusion, loss of consciousness, very high body temperature, and hot, dry skin. If you see someone with those symptoms, call 911 immediately. Check on neighbors, especially older adults and those with medical vulnerabilities, and use local public-health channels to find cooling options as the season heats up.
