With temperatures approaching 100 degrees this weekend, the city of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the University of Virginia are taking precautions.
Saturday’s temperatures in Central Virginia are expected to reach as high as 96 degrees with a heat index as high 105, according to the National Weather Service. Sunday’s temperatures could go as high as 96 degrees with a heat index of 106.
The city is urging residents and visitors to stay indoors and air-conditioned environments as much as possible this weekend.
For those planning to venture to the City Market in downtown Charlottesville, typically open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday between April and November, it will be closing early at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The city will be setting up tents and fans on the 100 block of East Water Street to help keep shoppers cool.
"We encourage everyone to come early, shop efficiently, and stay hydrated," the city said in a statement announcing the early closure.
The city, county and UVa also have announced cooling centers with air conditioning and water.
In the city those include:
Key Recreation Center at 800 E. Market St., open from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.Tonsler Recreation Center at 501 Cherry Ave, open from 12 to 6 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday.The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library’s Central Library at 201 E. Market St., open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday.The Haven day shelter at 112 W. Market St., open from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.And the Salvation Army shelter at 207 Ridge St., open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day of the week.
In the county, cooling centers can be found at:
The Yancey Community Center at 7625 Porters Road in Esmont, open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.And the Greenwood Community Center at 865 Greenwood Road in Greenwood, also open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
UVa will be offering its libraries as cooling centers:
The Charles L. Brown Science & Engineering Library at 291 McCormick Road will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Clemons Library at 164 McCormick Road will be open 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. The Harrison Institute and Small Special Collections Library at 170 McCormick Road will be open from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday. And the Edgar Shannon Library at 160 McCormick Road will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday.
The city is asking residents to familiarize themselves with the warning signs of illnesses common during extremely high temperatures, including:
Heat cramps: muscle cramps and pains that most often occur in the legs or abdomen, heavy sweating, fatigue and thirst.Heat exhaustion: headache, dizziness, light-headedness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, cool and moist skin, and dark urine. And heat stroke: a fever above 104 degrees, irrational behavior, extreme confusion, dry and red skin, rapid or shallow breathing, rapid or weak pulse, seizures, and unconsciousness.
If a person is suffering from a heat-related illness, they should:
Lie down in a cool place.Apply cool, wet cloths directly to the skin.Sit in front of a fan.Drink water.And massage stiffened muscles.
In extreme cases, 911 should be called.
Although anyone can suffer from such illnesses, some groups are more susceptible, including:
Infants and young children.People 65 and older.And people who are already physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure.
Those who must be out in the heat this weekend are advised to:
Limit activity to morning and evening hoursCut down on exercise.Try to rest often in the shade.Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.Drink more fluids.Avoid alcohol and sugar.Wear lightweight, light-color, loose-fitting clothes.And avoid sitting inside closed, parked vehicles.
Source: www.dailyprogress.com
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