Coastal Virginia is gearing up for one of the biggest holiday weekends of the year — but local officials are urging residents and visitors to take the forecast seriously before heading outside. Dangerously high temperatures and heat indices exceeding 100 degrees are expected across the region this Fourth of July weekend, and health and safety officials want everyone to be prepared.
Whether you are heading to a waterfront festival, hosting a backyard cookout, or catching fireworks with the family, here is what you need to know to stay safe.
For People
Stay hydrated — even when you do not feel thirsty. Heat-related illness can sneak up on you, especially when you are having fun and not paying attention to how your body feels. Drink water consistently throughout the day and limit alcohol and sugary drinks, which can contribute to dehydration.
Dress for the heat. Choose lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. A wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen are your best friends when spending time outdoors this weekend.
Take regular breaks in the shade or air conditioning. Do not push through the heat. Step inside frequently to let your body cool down, especially during the hottest part of the day.
Know the signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Symptoms include confusion, loss of consciousness, and a dangerously high body temperature. If you or someone around you shows these signs, call 911 immediately and move to a cool location while waiting for help.
Check on your neighbors. Elderly residents, young children, and those without access to air conditioning are among the most vulnerable during extreme heat events. Take a few minutes this weekend to check in on those around you. It could save a life.
For Pet Owners
Our pets feel the heat just as intensely as we do — and they are counting on us to protect them.
Keep your pets indoors as much as possible. Hot pavement can burn your dog’s paws in a matter of seconds, and animals can overheat quickly in high temperatures. Limit outdoor time to early morning or evening hours when it is cooler, and always provide access to fresh, cool water.
Never leave your pet in a parked car. This is one of the most important things to remember this holiday weekend. Cars heat up to deadly temperatures within just a few minutes, even when parked in the shade or with windows partially cracked. A partially open window does not provide adequate airflow to keep your pet safe — and it does provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen. If your pet cannot come inside with you, the safest place for them is at home.
Always check the backseat before exiting your vehicle. Accidents happen — and tragically, children and pets are sometimes left behind in hot cars without anyone realizing it. Make it a non-negotiable habit to check your backseat every single time you exit your car this summer.
Beginning Thursday, Coastal Virginia residents can receive relief from the heat at an air-conditioned public space. See the list of cooling stations available below.
Chesapeake:
- Central Library – 298 Cedar Rd.
- Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Outreach and Innovation Library – 2726 Border Rd.
- Greenbrier Library – 1214 Volvo Parkway
- Indian River Library – 2320 Old Greenbrier Rd.
- Major Hillard Library – 824 Old George Washington Hwy., N.
- Russell Memorial Library – 2808 Taylor Rd.
- South Norfolk Memorial Library – 801 Poindexter St.
- Deep Creek Community Center – 2901 Margaret Booker Dr.
- Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Community Center – 2019 Windy Rd.
- Great Bridge Community Center – 212 Holt Dr.
- Indian River Community Center – 2250 Old Greenbrier Rd.
- River Crest Community Center – 1001 River Walk Parkway
- South Norfolk Community Center – 1217 Godwin Ave.
- Western Branch Community Center – 4437 Portsmouth Blvd.
Hampton
- Northampton Branch Library – 936 Big Bethel Rd.
- Phoebus Branch Library – 1 South Mallory St.
- Willow Oaks Branch Library – 227 Fox Hill Rd.
Newport News:
City libraries:
- Pearl Bailey Library – 2510 Wickham Ave.
- Main Street Library – 110 Main St.
- Virgil I. Grissom Library – 366 Deshazor Dr.
Community Centers:
- Denbigh Community Center – 15198 Warwick Blvd.
- Brittingham-Midtown Community Center – 570 McLawhorne Dr.
Norfolk:
All libraries will operate during normal hours on July 2.
- Barron F. Black Branch – 6700 E. Tanners Creek Dr.
- Blyden Branch – 879 E. Princess Anne Rd.
- Janaf Branch – 124 Janaf Shopping Center
- Jordan-Newby Branch – 1425 Norchester Ave., open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday
- Lafayette Branch – 1610 Cromwell Dr.
- Larchmont Branch – 6525 Hampton Blvd.
- Little Creek Branch – 7853 Tarpon Place
- Mary D. Pretlow Branch – 111 W. Ocean View Ave., open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Friday; open Saturday and Sunday 12 – 8 p.m.
- Park Place Branch – 620 West 29th St.
- Richard A Tucker Branch – 2350 Berkley Ave., open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday
- Slover Branch – 235 East Plume St., open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Friday, open Saturday and Sunday 12 – 8 p.m.
- Van Wyck Branch – 1368 DeBree Ave.
Portsmouth:
- ortsmouth Main Library (601 Court St.) 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. open Thursday, Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday
- Cradock Library (28 Prospect Parkway) 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; open Thursday, closed Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday
- Churchland Library (4934 High St. W.) 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; open Thursday, Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday
- Manor Library (1401 Elmhurst Ln.) 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; open Thursday, closed Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday.
- Portsmouth Welcome Center (206 High St.) 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., open Thursday, Friday, closed Saturday, open Sunday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center (400 High St.) 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Behavioral Healthcare Building (1811 King St.) 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., open Thursday
- Social Services Building (1701 High St.) 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., open Thursday
- Senior Station (3500 Clifford St.) 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., open Thursday
- Portsmouth City Hall (801 Crawford Ave.) 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., open Thursday
Water will additionally be provided. The locations listed are not shelters and do not provide food or sleeping accommodations. Pets will not be permitted except for service animals.
Suffolk
North Suffolk Library – 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Rd.
- Thursday, July 2: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (regular library hours)
- Friday, July 3: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (cooling center only; library services unavailable)
- Saturday, July 4: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (cooling center only; library services unavailable)
Virginia Beach
- Bayside Area Library – 936 Independence Blvd.
- Great Neck Area Library – 1251 Bayne Dr.
- TCC / City of Virginia Beach Joint-Use Library – 1700 College Crescent, TCC Campus,
- Building Kempsville Area Library – 832 Kempsville Rd.
- Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library – 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd.
- Oceanfront Area Library – 700 Virginia Beach Blvd.
- Princess Anne Area Library – 1444 Nimmo Parkway
- Pungo-Blackwater Library – 916 Princess Anne Rd.
- Wahab Public Law Library – 2425 Nimmo Parkway
- Windsor Woods Area Library – 3612 South Plaza Trail
Williamsburg
- Quarterpath Rec Center – 202 Quarterpath Rd.
- Williamsburg Library – 515 Scotland St.
Staying at home? Dominion Energy suggests residents follow these six tips for conserving energy this summer and visit DominionEnergy.com/Savings for more information:
- Adjust your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher when the temperatures rise. Set it even higher while away from home. Each degree lower than the recommended setting can significantly increase your cooling-related costs. A smart thermostat can automatically increase the temperature to maximize savings.
- Use fans to help cool your home. Using a ceiling, box or oscillating fan while increasing the thermostat can lower air conditioning costs up to 14% over the course of the cooling season.
- Check air filters regularly and change them when dirty. Also, check ductwork for leaks and tears.
- Adjust drapes and blinds according to the time of day. This will keep out the sun’s natural warmth during the day.
- Caulk, seal and weather strip around all seams, cracks and openings – especially exterior doors and windows. Also, replace old weather stripping around doors.
- Run major appliances such as dishwashers, dryers and ovens during cooler evening hours. This will help prevent extra heat inside.
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