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
* Gov. Bob McDonnell declares state of emergency
* Loren Wright shares photos of storm damage around Southwest Roanoke County
* Early morning reports of storm damage around Roanoke County
* Green Ridge Recreation Center closed

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