Storm Recovery Update

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

City of Alexandria Storm Recovery Update

For Immediate Release: July 2, 2012

The City of Alexandria continues its efforts to protect public health and safety, and to clear debris following severe storms on Friday, June 29. Dominion Virginia Power now reports 12,000 customers in Alexandria are still without power. Although Dominion does not have an estimate of when power will be restored to all customers, the City encourages residents and businesses to plan for the possibility that power may not be restored for many customers for several days, and a few may not have power into the weekend.

Government Operations and Facilities

Alexandria City Government will be open during normal business hours on Tuesday, July 3. All City of Alexandria employees are expected to report to work on time.

All City facilities normally open to the public will be open during their normal business hours, except the following facilities, which are still without power and will be closed until further notice:

·         Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4643 Taney Ave.

·         Warwick Pool, 3301 Landover St.

Water Main Break Update

A major water main break that occurred on the West End near the Southern Towers apartments is being repaired; while water service has been restored to residents in the area, Seminary Road between Dawes Avenue and Beauregard Street will remain closed until at least tomorrow morning.

Extreme Heat and Cooling Centers

The National Weather Service has forecast temperatures exceeding 90 degrees this week, with high humidity. City facilities are available as cooling centers.  All recreation centers, libraries, and pools (with the exception of the Warwick Pool and the Patrick Henry Recreation Center) are open.

Recreation Programs

All City recreation and camp programs will operate this week as scheduled; however, programs at Patrick Henry, John Adams, and George Washington Middle School will be relocated. Participants should be dropped off at, and picked up from, the original locations because relocation may not occur if power is restored.

·         Children attending Patrick Henry Recreation Center summer camp should be dropped off there between 7 and 9:30 a.m., and they will be transported to Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. They will be returned to Patrick Henry Recreation Center at 6 p.m.

·         The Patrick Henry National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) Program is being moved to George Mason Elementary School (2601 Cameron Mills Rd) tennis courts; children must report to the school directly.

·         Children attending the John Adams summer camp should be dropped off between 9 -9:30 a.m. and will be transported to Cora Kelly, 25 W. Reed Ave. Children will be returned to John Adams at 5 p.m.

·         Children attending the George Washington Power Up program should be dropped off between 9-9:30 a.m., and will be transported to Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. Children will be returned to George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave., at 5 p.m.

·         Camps at George Mason have been relocated to Hammond Middle School, 4646 Seminary Rd. No transportation is provided; children must report directly to Hammond Middle School at the back of the building, cafeteria entrance.

Food Safety

If your power has been out, it is important to take precautions to ensure food safety. For food safety tips, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Storm.

Solid Waste Collection

Trash and recycling will be collected on a normal schedule during the week of July 2, including the Independence Day holiday on July 4. The City is relaxing its requirements for removal of tree debris on private property until Thursday, July 5. After that time, residents should prepare debris for pick up using the following guidelines: items should be no larger than 2 to 3 inches in diameter; 4 feet in length, bundled, and weigh no more than 75 pounds per bundle. No logs or stumps will be accepted. NOTE: Professional tree removal contractors should remove all debris from their worksites.

More Information

For updated information, visit alexandriava.gov/Storm or follow the City on social media atalexandriava.gov/Twitter and alexandriava.gov/Facebook.