With temperatures approaching triple digits and heat advisories in effect, several cities are offering cooling shelters to help residents stay cool in the sweltering summer heat.
Chesapeake
With the excessive heat and humidity expected this week, it is important to stay hydrated and limit strenuous outdoor activities.
If you do not have air conditioning, visit your local library branch or community center to cool off.
Hampton
The City of Hampton will provide water, cool place for homeless and others this week as temperatures soar
City employees and representatives from H.E.L.P. Inc. will be out today and throughout the week providing water and help for the homeless and those who are outside coping with the heat.
H.E.L.P, the non-profit that works with the city to aid the homeless, will also keep its day center open and will provide a thermal shelter where residents can escape the heat Thursday through Sunday. H.E.L.P. stands for Hampton Roads Ecumenical Lodgings and Provisions.
The National Weather Center in Wakefield said Hampton Roads will have to deal with excessive heat through the weekend, with temperatures expected to peak Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Hampton residents, including the elderly and the homeless, are encouraged to use community centers and libraries to escape from the heat and get cool drinking water. Residents are also encouraged to check on friends and neighbors to make sure they are safe.
The Weather Service says a combination of high temperature and high humidity can cause heat illnesses. Residents are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms if possible, and stay out of the sun.
James City County
Citizens and visitors can head to the James City County Recreation Center (5301 Longhill Road), the Human Services Center (5249 Olde Towne Road, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.), the Williamsburg Library (515 Scotland Street) or the James City County Library (7770 Croaker Road).
The centers and libraries serve as the County's designated Cooling Centers, and provide air conditioning and a place to sit down. With the exception of service animals, pets are not allowed in the Cooling Centers.
For more information, please call 757-259-4200.
Newport News
If you do not have air conditioning, choose places you could go to for relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day (schools, libraries, theaters, malls).
Those who need to seek shelter from the heat can utilize the city’s public buildings, including a branch of the Newport News Public Library or one of our Community Centers.
The Four Oaks Day Service Center at 7401 Warwick Boulevard, the city’s assistance center for men, women, and families experiencing homelessness, is also an option.
Norfolk
Several Norfolk Public Libraries and the Slover Library are all extending their hours this weekend to provide public spaces for people to stay cool.
Friday and Saturday – 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Slover Library
- Pretlow Anchor branch
- H.C. Downing
- Janaf
- Barron F. Black
- Van Wyck
- Jordan-Newby Anchor branch
Sunday – 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Slover Library
- Pretlow Anchor branch
- Jordan-Newby Anchor branch
Ocean View Lighthouse Church is opening its education wing Saturday from 12 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. as a heat relief station. Full air conditioning and water will be available for those that need it.
In addition, members of the Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) will deploy over the weekend to check on residents who are elderly or homebound. City staff will continue to hand out bottled water as they have done for the past several days.
Portsmouth
The City of Portsmouth is opening "Cool City" Cooling Stations due to the excessive heat expected.
Anyone may go to the following places through Monday, July 22 for shelter and to reduce the danger of heat-related illness:
- Portsmouth Main Library, 601 Court Street - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Churchland Library, 4934 High Street West - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Cradock Library, 28 Prospect Parkway - 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Manor Library, 1404 Elmhurst Lane - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Human Services Building, 1701 High Street - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- City Hall Lobby, 801 Crawford Street - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Senior Station 3500 Clifford Street - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Behavioral Healthcare Services Building, 1811 King Street - 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Water will be provided at the locations.
Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not allowed in any buildings.
Citizens are encouraged to seek shelter at the cooling stations and other public facilities during excessive outside temperatures.
Small children, the elderly and individuals who are impaired or immobile are at the greatest risk of heat-related illness or injury. Please remember to check on these people during excessive heat.
Remember not to leave anyone or any pets inside vehicles.
Suffolk
The lobby at the Suffolk Health & Human Services Building located at 135 Hall Avenue will be open as a cooling shelter during regular business hours.
Additionally, residents are encouraged to utilize the lobby at Suffolk City Hall, 442 West Washington Street, or the three Suffolk Public Library locations:
Morgan Memorial
443 West Washington Street
North Suffolk
2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road
Chuckatuck
5881 Godwin Boulevard