Extreme heat across Central Virginia leaves people needing cooling assistance

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Summer heat is in full swing. The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for much of central Virginia today.

Heat advisories are issued when the index heat is above 105 degrees. Today, temperatures felt as high as 110 degrees.

Certain residents are especially vulnerable to severe weather, both for health reasons and financial ones. For this reason, there are local and statewide programs in place to provide people with cooling assistance in the form of fans, AC units and financial aid for electric bills.

According to Danicka Jones, the director of Hanover County Social Services, the region has seen more and more people in need of cooling assistance each year.

“Hanover County has received 301 requests for assistance,” Jones said. “Again, that’s Hanover County’s data. Statewide data — I’m sure that number is much larger.”

And she’s right.

Over 70,000 people receive cooling assistance statewide each year, according to the Virginia Department of Social Services.

“People are needing that assistance,” Jones said. “It helps them stretch their income a little bit and also helps keep everyone cool.”

The cooling assistance program for the state of Virginia ends on Thursday, Aug. 15.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.