RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)--The city will be helping residents who continue to handle the aftermath of the storms, living without power through the heatwave, by handing out free ice.
PRESS RELEASE:
Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond continues the recovery process and restoration effort following the severe storm events. A number of residents remain affected by multi-day power outages and conditions of extreme heat.
Dominion Virginia Power has made a generous donation through the American Red Cross, consisting of refrigerated trucks stocked with ice for local distribution purposes. The City of Richmond will begin distribution of the ice on Monday, July 2, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. at the following locations:
Fire Station 13
411 E. Commerce
Richmond, Virginia
Fire Station 22
2420 Broadrock Boulevard
Richmond, Virginia
Fire Station 25
8800 Huguenot Road
Richmond, Virginia
Volunteers through the city’s Neighbor- to-Neighbor program will be available at the stations to support the ice distribution efforts. City officials are also working with members of the Richmond City Council to assist with ice distribution in affected areas throughout the city.
Ice is being provided as a convenience, and residents should be mindful that ice will not keep food sufficiently cold for food safety. Residents are urged to take careful precautions to ensure food safety and to abide by standard food safety precautions as follows:
- Discard any food that has been at room temperature for two hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture. “When in doubt, throw it out!”
- If your power has been out for 48 hours or longer – and you have NOT made other provisions for keeping your food at or below 41 degrees F – do not eat it.
- If you have made other provisions to keep your food cold, make sure the temperature of the food is 41 degrees F or below before cooking or eating it.
- A full cooler or freezer will maintain its cold temperatures longer than one that is partially filled, so it is important to pack plenty of extra ice or freezer packs to insure a constant cold temperature.
- Depending on the type of cooler you are using, ice will need to be replaced at least every 24 hours.
In the city of Richmond, over 13,000 Dominion Power customers remain without power. The City of Richmond will continue to operate cooling shelters from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 2, 2012. All residents should take measures to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to the heat during the day.
Cooling Shelters are located at:
● Southside Community Services Center, 4100 Hull Street Road
● Department of Social Services, 900 East Marshall Street
Bottled water will be available. Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not allowed.
For more information regarding cooling services, residents can contact the Department of Social Services Fuel Assistance Office at (804) 646-7046. Elderly residents with heat related issues can contact the Adult Protective Service Unit at (804) 646-0501. In the event of a heat related emergency, please call 9-1-1.
