Goochland County opens cooling centers amid dangerous heat advisory
Heat index could hit 110 degrees in Goochland, and the county opened the library, sports complex and YMCA as cooling spots for residents.
Goochland County opened cooling options June 30 as hot, humid weather was expected to push the heat index to 100 to 110 degrees through the week. The county pointed residents to the Goochland Branch Library at 3075 River Road West, the Goochland Sports Complex at 1800 Sandy Hook Road and the Goochland Family YMCA at 1800 Dickinson Road.
The library was open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The sports complex was open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. At the YMCA, members could use equipment or the pool. The YMCA of Greater Richmond has summer hours of 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, and the Goochland branch has an outdoor pool in summer.
Residents were told to drink plenty of water, stay in air-conditioned spaces when possible, wear light-colored loose clothing, avoid outside work during the hottest part of the day, slow strenuous activity, check on elderly neighbors and loved ones, and never leave children or pets in hot vehicles.
Heat cramps can bring heavy sweating and painful muscle spasms. Heat exhaustion can include heavy sweating, pale clammy skin, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or fainting. Heat stroke is a medical emergency marked by a body temperature of 103 degrees or higher, confusion and unconsciousness. Anyone showing heat stroke symptoms should be cooled quickly while someone else calls 911.
Cooling centers are places to stay cool on hot days, and most are not shelters, so people should check local government websites and call before going because holiday hours can change availability. People who need housing or health care assistance should contact Virginia 211. Virginia summer temperatures normally reach the upper 90s and can climb above 100 degrees. Last summer, the Virginia Department of Health recorded more than 4,000 heat-related illness visits to emergency departments and urgent cares.
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