As summer heats up, temperatures often climb into the 90s, and high humidity can push the heat index past 100 degrees for days at a time. This extreme heat can be particularly dangerous, especially for seniors and those with preexisting health conditions. Here are essential tips to keep in mind during these sweltering summer days.
Check out more info at hampton.gov.
Cool Off in Community Spaces
When the heat becomes unbearable, head to air-conditioned public spaces to cool off. The city’s libraries are open to everyone and provide a respite from the scorching temperatures. Community and neighborhood centers, usually requiring memberships, open their lobbies to all during heat waves, offering a cool place to escape the heat. For addresses and more details, check the city’s library and community center pages.
Norfolk
- Barron F. Black Library: 6700 E. Tanners Creek Dr.
- Slover Library: 235 E. Plume Street
- Janaf Library: 5900 E. Virginia Beach Boulevard
- Jordan-Newby Library: 1425 Norchester Avenue
- Lafayette Library: 1610 Cromwell Drive
- Little Creek Library: 7853 Tarpon Place
- Mary D. Pretlow Library: 111 W. Ocean View Ave.
- Park Place Library: 620 W. 29th Street
- Richard Tucker Library: 2350 Berkley Avenue
- Van Wyck Library: 1368 DeBree Avenue
*Cooling Centers will remain open until 8pm.
Portsmouth
- Portsmouth City Hall Lobby: 801 Crawford Street
- Portsmouth Main Library: 601 Court Street
- Cradock Library: 28 Prospect Parkway
- Churchland Library: 4934 High Street West
- Manor Library: 1401 Elmhurst Lane
- Behavioral Healthcare Services Building: 1811 King St.
- Social and Human Services Building: 1701 High St.
- Senior Station: 3500 Clifford Street
*Libraries and city buildings will be open through July 17th for cooling centers.
Chesapeake
- Central Library: 298 Cedar Road
- Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Outreach and Innovation Library: 2726 Border Road
- Greenbrier Library: 1214 Volvo Parkway
- Indian River Library: 2320 Old Greenbrier Road
- Major Hillard Library: 824 Old George Washington Highway, North
- Russell Memorial Library: 2808 Taylor Road
- South Norfolk Memorial Library: 801 Poindexter St.
- Deep Creek Community Center: 2901 Margaret Booker Drive
- Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Community Center: 2019 Windy Road
- Great Bridge Community Center: 212 Holt Drive
- Indian River Community Center: 2250 Old Greenbrier Road
- River Crest Community Center: 1001 River Walk Pkwy
- South Norfolk Community Center: 1217 Godwin Avenue
- Western Branch Community Center: 4437 Portsmouth Boulevard
Hampton
- Main Library: 4207 Victoria Boulevard
- Northampton Library: 936 Big Bethel Road
- Phoebus Library: 1 S. Mallory Street
- Willow Oaks Library: 227 Fox Hill Road
*Libraries open until 7pm, Community Centers until 8pm
Newport News
- Four Oaks Day Services & Training Center: 7401 Warwick Boulevard
- Virgil I. Grissom Library: 366 Deshazor Drive
- Main Street Library: 110 Main Street
- Pearl Bailey Library: 2510 Wickham Avenue
- Brittingham-Midtown Community Center: 570 McLawhorne Drive
- Doris Miller Community Center: 2814 Wickham Avenue
- Denbigh Community Center: 15198 Warwick Boulevard
- Courthouse Way Community Center: 14302 Old Courthouse Way
Stay Updated
To stay informed about weather alerts and important local news, sign up at Hampton.gov/notifyme. You can also get real-time updates by following the city’s social media channels on Twitter and Facebook. For any questions, the 311 call center is available — just dial 311 from a landline within city limits, call 757-727-8311 from a cell phone or landline outside the city, or email [email protected].
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management provides excellent resources on coping with extreme heat, which can be very helpful during these intense summer months.
Heat Safety Tips
Whenever possible, stay indoors to avoid the heat. If you must be outside, make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Never leave children or pets unattended in a hot vehicle, as temperatures can quickly become life-threatening. For example, if it’s 90 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can reach 109 degrees, even with windows cracked. At 95 degrees, it can rise to 114 degrees in just 10 minutes and a deadly 129 degrees in 30 minutes.
Local organizations, such as HELP, provide crucial support during extreme heat, offering water and air-conditioned day shelters to the homeless population.
Get information on heat-related conditions from the National Weather Service
Recognize Heat Stroke Symptoms
It’s crucial to recognize the symptoms of heat stroke, which include:
- Muscle cramps
- Heavy sweating
- Physical weakness
- Dizziness or confusion
- Rapid heartbeat
Reliable Sources for Heat-Related Information
For comprehensive information on dealing with extreme heat, refer to the National Weather Service (NWS). They provide valuable tips on:
- Staying safe during excessive heat events
- Safety tips for parents and caregivers
- Community interventions
- Heat safety for outdoor workers
Stay safe, stay cool, and make use of your community’s resources to beat the summer heat!