[Archived] City of Alexandria Declares Local Emergency

City of Alexandria Declares Local Emergency

Residents asked to Report Downed Trees; Cooling Centers Available

For Immediate Release: June 30, 2012

The City of Alexandria has declared a local emergency in response to last night’s severe storms, due to widespread power outages and excessive heat. This declaration provides for increased coordination with state resources, permitting the City to take necessary actions to respond to the storms and heat. Crews are working to restore power and are prioritizing vulnerable populations; temperatures are expected to rise to extreme levels today; residents are asked to check on their neighbors.

Residents are requested to call 703.746.4488 to report downed trees and damage to homes and businesses. The City has also opened a special Storm Hotline, 703.746.HELP (703.746.4357), for heat-related questions. If you are experiencing power outages, contact Dominion Virginia Power at 866.366.4357.

In addition, the National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the entire Washington, DC metropolitan region, including the City of Alexandria, until 9 p.m. today. The hot temperatures, combined with high humidity, will cause heat indices to reach 110-115 degrees.

Currently, the following City facilities are open as cooling centers:

Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St.
Cora Kelly Recreation Center, 25 W. Reed Ave.
Barrett Library, 717 Queen St.
Beatley Central Library 5005 Duke St.

The following City Pools are open:

Old Town Pool (1609 Cameron St.), open from noon to 7 p.m.
Memorial Pool (901 Wythe St.), open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Chinquapin Park Recreation Center, Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, William Ramsay Recreation Centers are closed, as is the Jerome “Buddy” Ford Nature Center. The Warwick Pool is also closed.

The City is currently identifying other facilities that will be available to the public as cooling centers and will provide an updated list as soon locations are confirmed.

For more storm related information and information on cancellations and closings, visit the City’s storm page at www.alexandriava.gov/Storm. Residents can also follow the City on Twitter or Facebook, or sign up for eNews updates.