Staying Safe During This Week's Extreme Heat
We hope you, your families, and your congregations are staying safe during this stretch of extreme heat. We are keeping all of our churches and communities in prayer, especially those who may be more vulnerable to heat-related illness, including older adults, young children, individuals with chronic health conditions, and those without reliable air conditioning.
If you or someone in your community needs a cool place to spend time during the hottest parts of the day, the Virginia Department of Health has created an interactive Cooling Center map. Simply enter your ZIP code to find locations near you.
Virginia Department of Health Cooling Center Map:
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-public-health-tracking/climate-weather/cooling-centers/
Please note:
Most cooling centers are not emergency shelters.
If someone needs housing or healthcare assistance, they should contact Virginia 211: https://211virginia.org/
Some locations may be closed for the July 4 holiday or have modified hours so it's important to call ahead before visiting to confirm availability.
As we continue through this period of high temperatures, please take good care of yourselves, stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day when possible, and check in on neighbors and church members who may need a little extra support. Thank you for all you do and please reach out to us if you need help or have questions. Blessings and stay cool.