Record temperatures were reached throughout the region in the past few days, including a record 102 degrees at Reagan National Airport on Wednesday. The National Weather Service heat advisory has been lifted for the region, but high temperatures are still expected and an air quality alert remains in effect. Residents are urged to remain well hydrated. Outdoor conditions may become unsafe for sensitive groups, including children, those with asthma, those with lung/heart conditions or the elderly.

In response to this week’s record heat wave, power and water utilities in the 11th Congressional District are asking customers to reduce their consumption in order to avoid outages:

         NOVEC alert: http://novec.com/About_NOVEC/News_Release/nr070710b.cfm
         Dominion Power alert: http://dom.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=904
         Prince William Service Authority alert: http://www.pwcsa.org/
         Fairfax Water: http://www.fcwa.org
 

Highest power demand occurs in the late afternoon, so please avoid using appliances such as dishwashers and clothes dryers until 8pm or later.  Taking other steps to reduce demand between approximately 2pm and 8pm, such as turning off lights, turning thermostats to slightly higher temperatures, and unplugging “vampire” loads such as televisions and computers will also reduce the likelihood of brownouts in our region.  The Department of Energy provides energy saving tips at http://www.energy.gov/energytips.htm              

Local governments throughout Northern Virginia also are offering emergency relief services to at-risk populations:

         Prince William County: Click Here.
         Fairfax County: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/prepare/summer/
         NOAA service for Washington/Baltimore region: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/lwx/

For further information, please be in touch with Congressman Connolly’s District Offices in Prince William (703-670-4989) or Fairfax (703-256-3071) or visit Congressman Connolly's "Summer Safety Tips" page here.