[Archived] City of Alexandria Provides Heat Emergency Assistance

Temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to peak between 99 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Combined with high humidity, this excessive heat will produce heat indexes between 110 and 115 degrees during the afternoon hours and 95 to 100 in the evening. Heat indexes will remain above 90 overnight.

The City of Alexandria has designated a number of air-conditioned City facilities as Heat Emergency Cooling Centers and urges all residents to take precautions to prevent heat-related illness and to be alert for elderly neighbors and others who may need special assistance to survive the extreme heat.

Children, the elderly, and people with chronic ailments are usually the first to suffer from the heat. Heat exhaustion, cramps, or in extreme cases, heat stroke can result from prolonged exposure to these conditions. During extended heat waves, people are advised to stay indoors and limit exposure to the sun; drink plenty of water; and wear loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing. The Alexandria Health Department offers additional Tips for Beating the Heat through the City’s website at www.alexandriava.gov.

Cooling Center Information. A number of air-conditioned City facilities and public places are currently available as daytime and evening cooling centers.

Free transportation to cooling centers will be provided for Seniors and other Alexandria residents in need. Call the Alexandria Citizen Assistance Hotline at 703-836-0041.

* Most City recreation centers are open until at least 9 p.m. on weekdays. All City libraries are open Monday through Thursday until 9 p.m., and Friday until 6 p.m. For a listing of centers and libraries, call the Citizen Assistance Hotline at 703-836-0041.

* Alexandria’s enclosed, air-conditioned Landmark Mall is open on weekdays until 9:30 p.m.

* The City’s two Senior Centers are open to anyone over 60 years of age for daytime activities.

For more information, contact the Charles Houston Senior Center at 905 Wythe St. (703-838-4832) and the Saint Martin de Porres Senior Center at 4650 Taney Ave. (703-751-2766).

* David's Place, a day shelter for homeless people, is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is operated by and located at Carpenter's Shelter, 930 N. Henry St., and is open to anyone who needs shelter from the heat. For details, call 703-548-7500.

* The City’s swimming pools, located throughout Alexandria, provide welcome and effective relief from the effects of excessive heat. For more information, call 703-838-4343.

Cooling Assistance. Through August 15, Virginia’s Cooling Assistance Program offers eligible, low-income households with a person age 60 or over, a child under 6 years old, or a permanently disabled person who has no air conditioning the opportunity to obtain free fans or window air conditioners. For more information on available services, contact the Office of Community Services at 703-838-0901 or 703-838-0971.

For more information on remaining healthy in the heat, call the Alexandria Health Department, 703-838-4872, or the Alexandria Chapter of the Red Cross, 703-549-8300.