Current Alert Status

During an emergency incident or severe weather event, the City updates this page with alerts, operational impacts and status updates, facility closures, and event cancellations to ensure residents have the most up-to-date information in order to prepare themselves and their families.
Page updated on July 18, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Translate icon

Lee este aviso en español  

 ይህንን በአማርኛ ያንብቡት

 ‎‎أنقر هنا للقراءة باللغة العربية

Current Status - Air Quality Alert Red and Heat Advisory 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Saturday, July 18, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The City of Alexandria is currently under a Code Red Air Quality Alert

  • What: For the Heat Advisory, heat index values up to 105 are expected. For the Air Quality Alert, Residents are encouraged to visit Airnow.gov to monitor current and forecasted conditions and suggested preventative actions. 
  • Impacts:
    • The expected hot weather increases the risk of heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion and heat stroke, for those who are more sensitive to heat. 
    • The Code Red Air Quality Alert means the risk of health effects is increased for everyone. Residents are encouraged to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, If you must go outside, wear a KN95 or N95 mask, keep outdoor activities short, and consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them. 

Sign Up for eNews

Potential for Thunderstorms

What to do During a Thunderstorm

In the event of a severe storm, residents, business owners, and visitors should seek shelter, tune in to local media for more information, and take appropriate actions to keep their households safe.  

For immediate police, fire, or emergency medical assistance, call or text 911.  

Call 703.746.4444 to report non-life-threatening requests, including downed trees, minor flooding, and downed traffic signals.  

What to do during a power outage

In the event of a power outage, please remember: Dominion Energy is responsible for restoring electricity. The City of Alexandria does not control the power grid or when service is restored.  

To report a power outage or check restoration status, contact Dominion Energy in one of three easy ways:  

  1. Use the Dominion Energy mobile app (iPhone or Android).
  2. Visit DominionEnergy.com.
  3. Call Dominion at 1-866-DOM-HELP (1.866.366.4357).  

Food that has been exposed to a power outage, flood water, or a fire for too long can contain harmful germs that make you sick. Find tips for food safety during and after a power outage or emergency at vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/food-safety-in-virginia/emergencies/.

Prepare Now for Storms  

As summer approaches, our area is prone to thunderstorms and severe weather. You can take steps to prepare now by:  

  • Signing up for emergency alerts at alexandriava.gov/eNews or keeping up with the City's social media
  • Staying informed by visiting the National Weather Service
  • Making an emergency plan for your household following guidelines from VDEM.
  • Ensuring outdoor items are secure in the event of high winds. 
  • Knowing where spare batteries, candles, and your fully charged devices are before a storm hits.  

Cancellations & Closures

Calendar Placeholder

Air Quality Alert

Poor air quality in Alexandria can affect people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution, including young children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions.

If you need to be outside, wearing a KN95 or N95 mask can help protect you from breathing in harmful particles. Cloth masks are not effective for filtering out smoke.

Visit AirNow.gov to check current and forecasted air quality and see recommended precautions. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

Learn more about air quality in Alexandria and the Air Quality Action Days program at alexandriava.gov/AirQuality.

On poor air quality days:

  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
  • Keep outdoor activities short.
  • Move physical activities indoors, or reschedule them.

Other air quality and safety tips:

  • Refuel vehicles after dusk.
  • Conserve electricity and set air conditioners to a higher temperature.
  • Choose a cleaner commute: share a ride or use public transportation.
  • Combine errands to reduce trips.
  • Bring pets indoors to climate-controlled areas.

Cooling Center Locations

Recreation Centers

Cooling centers are offered at the following recreation centers. Visit the Recreation Centers page for full business hours.

Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.)

Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (25 West Reed Ave.)

Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Ave.)

Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4653 Taney Ave.)

William Ramsay Recreation Center (5650 Sanger Ave.) 

Libraries

In addition, the following Alexandria Library branches are open during the following hours for cooling needs during warm weather:

  • Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke St.) 

  • Parking: The library has a large parking lot with 175 spaces.
    • Metrorail: King Street Station (Yellow & Blue Lines 3.2 miles); Van Dorn Station (Blue Line 2.1 miles)
    • Metrobus: F23, F24, A28
    • DASH Bus: 30, 32

Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library (717 Queen St.) 

  • Parking: No library parking lot. Street parking is available. A paid parking lot is available on the 100 block of North Alfred Street.
    • Metrorail: Yellow and Blue lines at Braddock Road (1 mile) and King Street Stations (1.1 miles).
    • Metrobus: A11, A12, F19
    • DASH Bus: 30, 31, Old Town Circulator
    • King Street Trolley: King & Columbus

Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library (4701 Seminary Rd.)

James M. Duncan, Jr. Branch Library (2501 Commonwealth Ave.)

  • Parking: There is a small lot with 9 spaces.  On street parking is available.

Alex311

Alex311 is the City of Alexandria’s customer service initiative to connect our customers to more than 175 City services in a variety of convenient ways. Connect with Alex311 online, through the mobile app, on Facebook and Twitter, by phone, or in person.

Alex311 Call Center  

During regular Hours: M – F, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.:

  • In the event of inclement weather, please call 703.746.4444 or utilize @AlexandriaVA311 to report non-emergency concerns. For immediate emergency assistance, call 911.  For non-emergency City Services, call 703.746.4311. 

After Hours: 

  • We encourage residents to continue to submit non-life-threatening safety concerns overnight by calling 703.746.4444. For immediate emergency assistance, call 911.
  • In the event of weather-related damage, report blocked roadways by calling 703.746.4444. 

Alex311 Website  

Available 24/7, you can submit and track requests for a faster response!  

Alex311 Mobile App  

Available 24/7, you can install the Alex311 mobile app to submit and track requests on the go.  

The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.