AEP warns that it could be Saturday, July 7 before power is restored to some customers in Roanoke County and other communities. The Roanoke Times has details on that announcement in this storm coverage update.

OTHER STORM COVERAGE:
* Regional storm coverage and updates from The Roanoke Times
* Weather journalist Kevin Myatt has weather updates on the Weather Journal
* Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, issues statement on the storm
* Gov. Bob McDonnell declares state of emergency
* Lippizan Stallions event cancelled for Saturday; show added Monday
* Diane Hollins shares storm photos from Forest Acre Trail
* Health department issues advisory for food following power outages
* Lippizan Stallions still performing this weekend at Green Hill Park, but at different location
* Shelter available to Roanoke County residents
* Tammy Epperly shares photos of storm damage on Ross Street
* Salem Civic Center opens as a cooling center
* Roanoke County Fire & Rescue assess storm damage
* Green Ridge Recreation Center closed
* Early morning report on storm damage
* Storm ends Salem Red Sox game early

You can share your storm photos at news@sosalem.com or use the “share” tool to upload 10 at a time. If you have a first-person account, you can leave it as a comment below.

Diane Hollins shares these photos of storm damage on Forest Acre Trail.

OTHER STORM COVERAGE:
* Regional storm coverage and updates from The Roanoke Times
* Weather journalist Kevin Myatt has weather updates on the Weather Journal
* Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, issues statement on the storm
* Gov. Bob McDonnell declares state of emergency
* Health department issues advisory for food following power outages
* Lippizan Stallions still performing this weekend at Green Hill Park, but at different location
* Shelter available to Roanoke County residents
* Tammy Epperly shares photos of storm damage on Ross Street
* Salem Civic Center opens as a cooling center
* Roanoke County Fire & Rescue assess storm damage
* Green Ridge Recreation Center closed
* Early morning report on storm damage
* Storm ends Salem Red Sox game early

You can share your storm photos at news@sosalem.com or use the “share” tool to upload 10 at a time. If you have a first-person account, you can leave it as a comment below.

In the case of an electrical outage, it is important to take careful precautions to ensure food safety. The risk of food poisoning is heightened when refrigerators and ovens are inoperable. 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. Just remember, “When in doubt, throw it out!”

People can practice safe food handling and prevent food-borne illness by following simple steps:
• Always keep a thermometer in your refrigerator. The temperature should read 41 F or below.
• 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. If available, 25 pounds of dry ice will keep a 10-cubic-foot freezer below freezing for three to four days. Use care when handling dry ice and wear dry, heavy gloves to avoid injury.
• Thawed food can usually be eaten if it is still “refrigerator cold.”
• Eggs and other foods need to be stored in 41 F or slightly below. Do not eat foods that may have spoiled.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled and cooled or disinfected. Wash your hands:
o After using the bathroom or changing a diaper
o After handling handle uncooked food
o After playing with a pet
o After handling garbage
o After tending to someone who is sick or injured
o After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
o After participating in flood cleanup activities
o After handling articles contaminated with flood water or sewage
o Before preparing or eating food
o Before treating a cut or wound
o Before inserting or removing contact lenses
• Fight cross-contamination, which is the transfer of harmful bacteria to food from other foods, cutting boards or utensils. Never place any type of food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry or seafood.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure that food reaches a safe internal temperature.
• Hamburgers and ground meat should be cooked to 160 F.
• Poultry should be cooked to 170 F.
• Roasts, steaks and other large cuts of beef should be cooked to 145 F (rare) and 160 F (medium).
• Fish should be cooked until the meat is opaque and flakes easily.
• Use sanitized food and water bowls for your pets and be sure that they do not drink from flood-contaminated surfaces.

For additional food safety information, call the toll-free USDA/FSIS Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854. Food safety specialists (both English and Spanish speaking) are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT on weekdays year-round.

The Virginia Department of Health website also contains information on pre-storm planning, post-storm recovery and the prevention of heat-related illnesses. Please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov. Click “Hurricane Season 2012” for information on extreme heat, food safety, drinking water safety, post-storm cleanup and prevention of illnesses and injuries. Or click “Extreme Heat” for information on staying cool and hydrated, heat stroke and heat exhaustion, special considerations for certain groups and shelter information.

Submitted by Virginia Department of Health

UPDATE 5:39 p.m.: Saturday’s show has been cancelled because of heat, but a show has been added to Monday. See more details here.

The Lipizzan Stallions will still be performing tonight at 6pm and Sundays at 2pm, but the location has been moved from Green Hill Park’s main field to the Equestrian Center at Green Hill Park. To get there, pass the park main entrance and continue on Duiguids/Harborwood Drive as it curves to the right. Look for the center on the right.

Submitted by Roanoke County

OTHER STORM COVERAGE:
* Regional storm coverage and updates from The Roanoke Times
* Weather journalist Kevin Myatt has weather updates on the Weather Journal
* Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, issues statement on the storm
* Gov. Bob McDonnell declares state of emergency
* Shelter available to Roanoke County residents
* Tammy Epperly shares photos of storm damage on Ross Street
* Salem Civic Center opens as a cooling center
* Roanoke County Fire & Rescue assess storm damage
* Green Ridge Recreation Center closed
* Early morning report on storm damage
* Storm ends Salem Red Sox game early

You can share your storm photos at news@sosalem.com or use the “share” tool to upload 10 at a time. If you have a first-person account, you can leave it as a comment below.

With power outages to thousands of residents and rising temperatures the City of Roanoke and Roanoke County, along with the Roanoke Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, have opened a shelter at the Roanoke Civic Center. The shelter is in the Special Events Center of the Roanoke Civic Center and citizens are asked to park in Parking Lot E (along Orange Avenue close to 581 side of the Center). Those coming to the shelter should bring any personal or special items needed such as medications, special diet items, glasses, formula, baby food, etc.

Additionally, as temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illness. Remember to stay cool, stay hydrated and stay informed.

• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level.

• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place.

• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

• NEVER leave anyone or animals in a closed, parked vehicle.

• Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:

o Infants and young children

o People aged 65 or older

o People who have a mental illness

o Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure

• Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

For Roanoke County residents who are beginning to clean up the debris left from the high winds, the General Service Department is asking that you please stack tree limbs close to the road for collection on your next scheduled bulk pick-up.

Submitted by Jennifer Conley Sexton, Roanoke County Fire & Rescue

OTHER STORM COVERAGE:
* Regional storm coverage and updates from The Roanoke Times
* Weather journalist Kevin Myatt has weather updates on the Weather Journal
* Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, issues statement on the storm
* Gov. Bob McDonnell declares state of emergency
* Tammy Epperly shares photos of storm damage on Ross Street
* Salem Civic Center opens as a cooling center
* Roanoke County Fire & Rescue assess storm damage
* Green Ridge Recreation Center closed
* Early morning report on storm damage
* Storm ends Salem Red Sox game early

You can share your storm photos at news@sosalem.com or use the “share” tool to upload 10 at a time. If you have a first-person account, you can leave it as a comment below.

Tammy Epperly sent these photos with this description: “This are from the upper end of Ross Street behind Goodwill near Lakeside Plaza. It’s like a war zone.”

Thanks, Tammy! You can share photos (when able to have power to do so) at news@sosalem.com.

The Salem Civic Center will have a “Cooling Station” open for Salem residents who are without power or AC starting at 11am this morning. Residents are to report to the lobby of the Salem Civic Center to register.

Submitted by Mike Stevens, City of Salem

Roanoke County was hit hard by severe winds from the storm that blew through the region last night. It is now estimated that 25,000 homes are without power. There are several businesses now relying on generator power. Roanoke County is working with the City of Roanoke and the Red Cross to open a shelter for those without power who need to get out of the heat.

Reportedly, the Fort Lewis, Masons Cove and Hollins areas were hit the hardest, but Cave Spring, Clearbrook and Mount Pleasant areas also had numerous calls for service.

Additionally, Bent Mountain, Back Creek and Catawba areas had some minor issues. At one point, the department had nearly 200 calls pending for response. The calls were categorized by severity and answered in a timely manner.

The damage that has been reported to structures is minimal at this time. There have been two reports of trees falling onto structures. The roof of the Fort Lewis Fire & Rescue Station was also damaged by the severe winds.

Roanoke County’s Fire & Rescue Department, Police Department, and Emergency Communications Center have been working closely together throughout the night and will continue to work diligently to answer all calls for assistance. Citizens are asked to only call 9-1-1 if they are having or reporting an emergency.

Today’s temperatures are forecasted to be in the triple digits so officials are asking citizens to please check on your neighbors and plan a way to stay cool and safe throughout the day.

Submitted by Jennifer Conley Sexton, Roanoke County Fire & Rescue

Due to recent storm activity, Green Ridge Recreation Center and Splash Valley Water Park are currently out of power. Please check our website for updates about when the facility may re-open.

Submitted by Roanoke County Parks and Rec