With Excessive Heat Warning, See Cooling Centers In Greater Alexandria

HYBLA VALLEY, VA — With real-feel temperatures over 100 degrees expected Friday and Saturday, cooling centers are available around the greater Alexandria area.

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning until 8 p.m. Friday and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. Heat index values, the real-feel temperatures, could reach up to 111 degrees.

Forecasters say extreme heat combined with high humidity increases the chances of heat-related illnesses, especially those spending time outdoors. During extreme heat events, heat-related illnesses are possible as the body's ability to cool itself can be challenged. Heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion, cramps, or heat stroke result from the body heating too quickly and not being able to properly cool itself or through dehydration or sweating. Heat stroke is considered a medical emergency.

In Fairfax County, a heat plan was activated for Thursday to Saturday due to the extreme heat in the forecast. That means cooling centers are available during normal operating hours to get relief from the outdoor heat. Cooling centers will have supplies on hand such as bottled water, sunscreen, insect repellant and body wipes.

In addition, outreach workers are distributing supplies and checking on unsheltered residents. Fairfax County's three shelters for single adults — Embry Rucker Community Shelter in Reston, Eleanor U. Kennedy Shelter in Fort Belvoir and Bailey's Crossroads Community Shelter in Bailey's Crossroads have activated day and night overflow capacity.

Here are the cooling centers in greater Alexandria. Check links for hours.

• Huntington Community Center, 5751 Liberty Drive, Alexandria, VA
• Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA
• Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria, VA
• Gum Springs Community Center, 8100 Fordson Road, Alexandria, VA
• Hybla Valley Community Center, 7950 Audubon Avenue, Alexandria, VA
• Gerry Hyland Government Center, 8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
• Franconia Rec Center, 6601 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA
• John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria, VA
• Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Center, Alexandria, VA

Here are cooling centers in the City of Alexandria. Check links for hours.

• Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St., Alexandria, VA
• Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center, 25 W. Reed Ave., Alexandria, VA
• Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA
• Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria, VA
• Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA
• Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Ave., Alexandria, VA
• William Ramsay Recreation Center, 5650 Sanger Ave., Alexandria, VA
• Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria, VA
• Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St., Alexandria, VA
• Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA
• James M. Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria, VA