Freezing Cold in Fairfax County? Who to Call for Help If You Need It

By Daniel Miller 

With Vienna under a Wind Chill Advisory beginning at 6 p.m. Monday and lasting until 6 p.m. Tuesday, and Fairfax County Public Schools canceled for Tuesday, the best thing you can do to stay warm is to stay indoors.

If something happens and you don’t have electricity or heat, however, you can warm up by: Going to the movies, visiting a shopping center or visiting one of the Fairfax County Warming Centers:
• Libraries 
• Community Centers 
• Fairfax County Government Center

You are encouraged to call ahead and check operating hours to ensure a facility is open before arriving.

Residents who know individuals needing special attention are encouraged to take a few minutes to check in on them to ensure their well-being. If residents need immediate, lifesaving help, call 9-1-1. For other safety help, call the public safety non-emergency phone number at (703) 691-2131, TTY 711.

Residents who need immediate help with utility bills or other urgent human services assistance can call the county’s Coordinated Services Planning staff at (703) 222-0880, TTY 711.

County staff can connect residents with a network of services provided by public, private and community-based organizations, as well as appropriate county government resources.

Check the Fairfax County emergency blog for staying safe as the temperatures plummet; it includes information for keeping people, pets and property safe.

You can also visit our winter storm preparedness page for additional cold weather tips, including what to do if you must drive, as well as the “Extreme Cold: A Prevention Guide” from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.