Lynchburg Opens Cooling Centers as Temperatures Climb into Upper 90s

Six locations across the city will provide free air-conditioned space and bottled water through Friday

LYNCHBURG, Va. — The City of Lynchburg has opened six cooling center locations as temperatures are expected to reach the mid- to upper-90s through Friday, Sept. 4.

The air-conditioned locations are free and open to anyone seeking relief from the heat. Bottled water is being provided by the Lynchburg Fire Department.

Cooling centers and hours for Tuesday through Friday include:

• Department of Human Services Lobby, 99 Ninth St. — 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Miller Center, 301 Grove St., second-floor Customer Service Desk — 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Miller Center, 301 Grove St., first/ground-floor entrance to the Library Hub — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Lynchburg Public Library Downtown Branch, 216 12th St. — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.
• Salvation Army, 2215 Park Ave. — noon to 5 p.m.
• The Refuge on Memorial, 2220 Memorial Ave. — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The city is encouraging residents to take precautions during the prolonged stretch of hot weather. Recommendations from the Virginia Department of Health include drinking plenty of water, limiting strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day and wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing.

Residents without air conditioning are encouraged to spend the hottest hours of the day in air-conditioned public places. Children and pets should never be left in parked vehicles, where temperatures can quickly become deadly.

Residents are also encouraged to check on older neighbors and others who may be particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness.

Pet owners should limit outdoor exercise to the cooler morning and evening hours, provide shade and plenty of fresh water and never leave an animal in a parked vehicle.

Cooling center locations and hours may be updated during extreme heat events. Additional information is available through the City of Lynchburg’s Summer Cooling Centers page.