HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) – Hampton Roads has been experiencing several days of excessive, dangerous heat.

The heat index has topped 100 degrees across the region.

On Thursday, July 21, there were heat alerts for the entire WAVY viewing area. Prolonged exposure or any strenuous activity may lead to heat-related illnesses that require immediate medical attention.

Cities are opening places where residents can go to get a break from the heat. If other cities announce cooling centers, we’ll add them to this list.

Chesapeake

If you need a cool place to rest, visit any Chesapeake Public Library branch or community center. Find locations at CityofChesapeake.net/Heat.

• 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 Street
• 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 Parkway
• South Norfolk Community Center – 1217 Godwin Avenue
• Western Branch Community Center – 4437 Portsmouth Boulevard

Hampton

Public libraries and community centers in Hampton will be open to the public as cooling centers during normal hours of operation and cups will be provided at the water fountains to support hydration. In this extreme heat, it’s important to drink plenty of water even if you don’t feel thirsty.

There are four library branches in Hampton:

• Main Library
• Northampton Branch
• Phoebus Branch
• Willow Oaks Branch

H.E.L.P. Hampton is providing support to the homeless by keeping its day center open until 6 p.m. H.E.L.P. staff will be also be providing outreach providing water and hydration power packs to those who are not coming into the day center.

James City County

Cooling Center
Citizens and visitors can head to the James City County Recreation Center, 5301 Longhill Road, during open hours. The center serves as the County’s designated Cooling Center, and provides air conditioning and a place to sit down.

Norfolk

Beginning July 21, Norfolk Public Library branches (except Barron F. Black) and the Slover Library will be available as cooling centers for people looking to get out of the heat.

Bottled water will be available at these locations, provided by Operation Blessing.

Portsmouth

The City of Portsmouth is opened “Cool City” cooling stations on Wednesday and Thursday. They decided to extend some of the cooling stations through the weekend to keep residents chilled from the expected high temperatures, at the following locations:

Saturday, July 23^rd — Water will be provided
Churchland Library, 4934 High Street West, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Main Library, 601 Court Street, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Behavioral Healthcare Services Building, 1811 King Street, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

___

Sunday, July 24^th — Water will be provided
Human Services Building (Dept. of Social Services Building), 1701 High Street8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Suffolk

The Suffolk Office of Emergency Management advises that the National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Southeast Virginia to include the City of Suffolk. Hot weather is expected this week with heat index values reaching up to 110 degrees today, Thursday, July 21.

Two Suffolk Public Library locations will be open to the public as designated cooling centers during regular business hours. The centers will offer access to air conditioning, water fountains and restrooms. The two library locations are:

Morgan Memorial Library
443 West Washington Street
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

North Suffolk Library
2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Virginia Beach

The City of Virginia Beach advises that the extreme heat and humidity Thursday will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses. Try to stay indoors as much as possible. If you need a cool place to go, visit any Virginia Beach public library.

Bayside & Special Services Library
​936 Independence Boulevard
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
(757) 385-0150
Disability/Special Services: (757) 385-2684
Hours​: Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Great Neck Library building
Great Neck Area Library
1251 Bayne Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
(757) 385-0150
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Joint-Use Library (TCC/City of VB Joint-Use Library)
1700 College Crescent
TCC Campus, Building L
Virginia Beach, VA 23453
(757) 822-7800
Hours: Monday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Kempsville Area Library
832 Kempsville Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
(757) 385-0150
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library
4100 Virginia Beach Boulevard
Virginia Beach, VA 23452​
(757) 385-0150
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Oceanfront Area Library
700 Virginia Beach Boulevard
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 385-0150
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Princess Anne Area Library​
1444 Nimmo Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
(757) 385-0150
Hours: ​​Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pungo-Blackwater Library​
916 Princess Anne Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23457
(757) 385-0150
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, closed, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, closed

Wahab Public Law Library
​2425 Nimmo Parkway Judicial Center, Bldg 10B
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
(757) 385-4419​
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, closed The Wahab Public Law Library is located within the Virginia Beach Judicial Center on the ground floor of building 10B.  Building 10B. All visitors must enter through the main door of the Courthouse (Building 10) and pass through security screening.  Cell phones, electronic devices, liquids, and weapons are prohibited.

Windsor Woods Area Library​
3612 South Plaza Trail
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
(757) 385-0150
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, closed

Heat Safety Tips

• Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
• Wear appropriate clothing. Choose lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
• Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light-weight and loose-fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.
• To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency – call 911.