Cooling Stations

The City of Richmond has a number of cooling stations located across the City designed to provide residents with a place to retreat from the heat. Residents can find relief at Richmond Public Libraries and the Department of Social Services. Additionally, when temperatures hit 92°F or higher, the City of Richmond activates a walk-up Inclement Weather Shelter at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23222. 

Protect yourself from extreme heat by staying cool, hydrated, and aware of the risk factors and warning signs of heat-related illness. Learn more at: ready.gov/summer-ready 

Inclement Weather Shelter | Daily | 11:00 AM-5:00 PM

1900 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23222 

(when temperature are 92 degrees or higher)

Department of Social Services | Monday-Saturday | 11:00 AM-6:00 PM

Marshall Plaza Building, 900 E. Marshall Street, Richmond, VA 23219 

Southside Community Service Center, 4100 Hull Street, Richmond, VA 23224

Richmond Public Library | Daily | 10:00 AM-Closing Varies 

Main Library | 101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219

Sunday (1PM-5PM)

Monday (9AM-8PM)

Tuesday (9AM-8PM) 

Wednesday (9AM-8PM)

Thursday (9AM-8PM)

Friday (9AM-6PM)

Saturday (9AM-5PM)

Belmont | 3100 Ellwood Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23221

Sunday (closed)

Monday (10AM-8PM)

Tuesday (10AM-6PM) 

Wednesday (10AM-8PM)

Thursday (10AM-6PM)

Friday (10AM-6PM)

Saturday (10AM-5PM)

Broad Rock | 4820 Old Warwick Road, Richmond, Virginia 23224

Sunday (1PM-5PM)

Monday (9AM-8PM)

Tuesday (9AM-8PM) 

Wednesday (9AM-8PM)

Thursday (9AM-8PM)

Friday (9AM-6PM)

Saturday (9AM-5PM)

East End | 1200 N. 25th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223

Sunday (closed)

Monday (9AM-6PM)

Tuesday (9AM-8PM) 

Wednesday (9AM-6PM)

Thursday (9AM-8PM)

Friday (9AM-6PM)

Saturday (9AM-5PM)

Ginter Park | 1200 Westbrook Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23227

Sunday (1PM-5PM)

Monday (10AM-8PM)

Tuesday (10AM-6PM) 

Wednesday (10AM-8PM)

Thursday (10AM-6PM)

Friday (10AM-6PM)

Saturday (10AM-5PM)

Hull Street | 1400 Hull Street, Richmond, Virginia 23224

Sunday (closed)

Monday (10AM-6PM)

Tuesday (10AM-8PM) 

Wednesday (10AM-6PM)

Thursday (10AM-8PM)

Friday (10AM-6PM)

Saturday (10AM-5PM)

North Avenue | 2901 North Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23222

Sunday (closed)

Monday (10AM-8PM)

Tuesday (10AM-6PM) 

Wednesday (10AM-8PM)

Thursday (10AM-6PM)

Friday (10AM-6PM)

Saturday (10AM-5PM)

West End | 5420 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23226

Sunday (1PM-5PM)

Monday (9AM-8PM)

Tuesday (9AM-8PM) 

Wednesday (9AM-8PM)

Thursday (9AM-8PM)

Friday (9AM-6PM)

Saturday (9AM-5PM)

Westover Hills | 1408 Westover Hills Boulevard, Richmond, Virginia 23225

Sunday (closed)

Monday (10AM-8PM)

Tuesday (10AM-6PM) 

Wednesday (10AM-8PM)

Thursday (10AM-6PM)

Friday (10AM-6PM)

Saturday (10AM-5PM)

Energy Assistance Resources 

The Virginia Department of Social Services facilitates the Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) which assists low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. The EAP consists of four components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance and Weatherization Assistance.

To be eligible for Fuel, Crisis or Cooling Assistance, households must have a heating or cooling expense and gross monthly income may not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Applications for fuel, crisis, and cooling assistance are accepted at the local departments of social services and can be submitted in-person, by mail (USPS), or by fax.

Do’s and Dont’s

Below are several Do’s and Dont’s provided by the Richmond Henrico Health District for residents to consider during the summer months. 

Do’s

1. Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned places, such as cooling centers, malls, or libraries.
2. Use electric fans to provide comfort when the temperature is below 95 degrees. Fans can make sweat evaporate more quickly from your body. More evaporation means more heat can leave your body.
3. Take a cool shower or bath to help cool off.
4. Minimize direct exposure to the sun.
5. Stay hydrated-drink water or beverages without caffeine, sugar, or alcohol throughout the day. 
6. Eat light, cool, and easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads. 
7. Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes. 
8. Know the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and the appropriate responses.
9. Check the local news for health and safety updates.

Don’ts

1. Don’t leave children, pets, or persons with mobility problems alone in cars for any amount of time.
2. Don’t drink alcohol to try to stay cool.
3. Avoid using the stove or oven to cook — it will make you and your house hotter.
4. Avoid heavy, hot, or hard-to-digest foods.
5. Don’t wear heavy, dark clothing, which absorbs the heat from the sun. 
6. Skip exercising outdoors during the hottest hours of the day (usually 10:00am to 5:00pm).
7. Don’t use an electric fan when the temperature is over 95 degrees. When the temperature is in the mid-90s or higher, electric fans will not prevent heat-related illness