"We can go in and get some things out, but then... they said to go find family or friends or go get a hotel. But they are going to reimburse," Stephanie, a resident, said. Alexandria’s emergency management set up a cooling center at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center, but most decided to head to the homes of friends or relatives. Some headed to their air-conditioned workplaces. "They're doing the best they can. We just don't know what exactly it is though," another resident said. One of the reasons for the evacuation was the fact that the building’s elevators were affected by the power outage.