Montgomery Avenue Women's Center

Inclement Weather Policy

 Montgomery Avenue Women's Center (MAWC) employees are expected to report to work as scheduled during inclement weather conditions, unless they receive plausible different direction from the Director of Operations, or radio or television news reports. MAWC has a profound interest in the safety and comfort of our clients as well as our staff. We will make every reasonable attempt to accommodate all who seek refuge within our facility. Exceptional circumstances that threaten excessive danger to anyone are factored into this Emergency Closing Policy, and therefore deviations are within the judgment and purview of the Director of Operations. Since we have no sleeping facilities, MAWC will not expect staff to remain on the premises overnight.

Written notice of closing will be displayed on the external doors of the facility as soon as the decision to close is made. Generally we follow the guidelines of the Montgomery County Government regarding closing of the facility due to inclement weather or other emergency. Other than for Holidays If the County Government announces it is closed, MAWC will also be closed. [Any period determined by the County Executive, Chief Administrative Officer or designee to be a period of emergency, such as inclement weather conditions.  Under such conditions, County offices are closed and services are discontinued].

Unless determined and posted the day before, decisions to close the MAWC facilities will be made by 6 a.m. and posted on the outside door of the MAWC administrative offices and the day room door, as soon as possible. 

If adverse conditions develop during the day after operations have already begun, the Director of Operations will decide before or by 2 p.m. at the latest, whether or not to close for the remainder of the day. This will allow 4 hours of advance warning. Unforeseen circumstances may necessitate immediate closure.

MAWC will be prepared to exceed it's 40-person capacity when the following applies, unless and until we announce we will close. Once the maximum capacity is exceeded, safety and quality of service will be impacted and additional clients may be asked to leave.

Weather Related Factors:

Cold Weather: 

32 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

Ice, sleet and snow are automatically considered adverse weather conditions.

Rainy Weather:

Continuous downpour of rain totaling .50 inches or greater within 15 minutes.

Hot Weather:

Temperature above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Ozone Alerts