Cities opening cooling centers for relief from heat

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — With the heat index expected to climb into the triple digits again this week, several cities and counties are opening cooling centers to help residents beat the heat.

According to the National Weather Service, an excessive heat warning will be in effect from Monday, July 15 to Wednesday, July 17.

When the shade of July’s Crepe Myrtles isn’t enough, John Brown enjoys the cool air and the warm welcome of the Portsmouth Main Library. Mr. Brown says although his shirt has long sleeves and his pants hit the floor, the cotton its made of also helps keep him cool.

He spoke with WAVY while seeking relief from the heat at the library.

“Libraries are here to be cooling centers to all of our residents when the heat gets too hot to be bearable. We’re here for people that don’t have air conditioning where for people who are on the street; we’re here for people who need a quick break from their shopping downtown,” said Rachel Enrich, manager of the Portsmouth Main Library.

All Portsmouth library branches are open as cooling center through Wednesday for anyone who needs to escape the heat.

“We take great pride in making sure that everyone who comes in is is welcomed and making sure that they know we’re here,” Enrich said.

The following cities have announced cooling centers. Locations, dates and times are below.

Hampton

The city of Hampton announced it will establish cooling centers until Wednesday.

During the excessive heat warning, the city’s public libraries will remain open until 7 p.m., community centers will remain open until 8 p.m. and neighborhood centers will remain open until 6 p.m.

The city is also reminding residents to stay inside whenever possible and to stay hydrated while outdoors.

James City County

With James City County being under an excessive heat warning from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, residents and visitors can go to the James City County Parks & Recreation Center at 5301 Longhill Road during open hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The center serves as the county’s designated cooling center, and provides air conditioning and a place to sit down. Pets are not allowed in the cooling center with the exception of service animals. For more information, call 757-259-4200.

Portsmouth

The city of Portsmouth also activated cooling centers due to the excessive heat index forecast.

The cooling centers will be open through Wednesday, at the locations and times listed below.  Pets, apart from service animals, are not permitted within any building. Water will be provided.

Portsmouth City Hall Lobby, 801 Crawford Street
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Portsmouth Main Library, 601 Court Street
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Cradock Library, 28 Prospect Parkway
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Churchland Library, 4934 High Street West
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Manor Library, 1401 Elmhurst Lane
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Behavioral Healthcare Services Building, 1811 King Street
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Social Services/ Human Services Building, 1701 High Street
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Senior Station, 3500 Clifford Street
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Norfolk

The city of Norfolk announced that cooling stations would remain open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday (they were activated Monday), based on the excessive heat warning issued by the National Weather Service in Wakefield. The cooling stations are air-conditioned public facilities where residents can go for relief during periods of extreme heat.

The following Norfolk Public Library facilities will remain open until 8 p.m.

• Downtown Branch at The Slover, 235 E. Plume St.
• Barron F. Black Branch, 6700 E. Tanners Creek Dr.
• Janaf Branch, 5900 E. Virginia Beach Blvd.
• Jordan-Newby Anchor Branch at Broad Creek, 1425 Norchester Ave.
• Lafayette Branch, 1610 Cromwell Dr.
• Little Creek Branch, 7853 Tarpon Pl.
• Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch, 111 W. Ocean View Ave.
• Park Place Branch, 620 W. 29th St.
• Richard Tucker Memorial Branch, 2350 Berkley Ave. Ext.
• Van Wyck Branch, 1368 DeBree Ave.

The city also announced the Norfolk Community Services Board will extend day service hours at The Center until 8 p.m. through the end of August.

Chesapeake

Chesapeake has a number of cooling centers at city libraries and community centers. Community center hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Here’s a list below:

• Central Library, 298 Cedar Road, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
• Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Outreach and Innovation Library, 2726 Border Road, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• Greenbrier Library, 1214 Volvo Pkwy., 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
• Indian River Library, 2320 Old Greenbrier Road, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
• Major Hillard Library, 824 Old George Washington Hwy. North, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• Russell Memorial Library, 2808 Taylor Road, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. (note – currently closed for renovations)
• South Norfolk Memorial Library, 801 Poindexter St., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday
• Deep Creek Community Center, 2901 Margaret Booker Dr.
• Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Community Center, 2019 Windy Road
• Great Bridge Community Center, 212 Holt Dr.
• Indian River Community Center, 2250 Old Greenbrier Road
• River Crest Community Center, 1001 River Walk Pkwy.
• South Norfolk Community Center, 1217 Godwin Ave.
• Western Branch Community Center, 4437 Portsmouth Blvd.