It’s time for New Yorkers to fill those water bottles, fill the ice trays and save a little extra for the utility bills because it’s about to get hot.
Mayor Zohran Mandani issued a public service announcement on Wednesday, warning New Yorkers about rising summer temperatures and extreme heat’s potentially deadly consequences, especially over the next 48 hours.
Thursday and Friday, forecasters say, the mercury will rise into the 90s, but the heat index could reach 100 degrees when combined with high humidity — leaving the city feeling very swampy and overheated.
“Do your part now to prepare yourself and your community for the extreme heat we’re sure to see this summer,” Mamdani said.
The city is on especially high alert this summer due to the sharp increase in major summer events, many of them outdoors like festivals, outdoor watch parties and major celebrations like America 250. On top of the rising temperatures and surge in summer events, the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off Thursday, is projected to draw over 1 million visitors to the New York/New Jersey area, greatly increasing the potential victims of heat-related illness.
The City urges New Yorkers to keep hydrated and find air conditioning. The most recent report from the Department of Health showed that from 2018-2022, an average of more than 500 people died from heat-related causes each year.
What to do to stay cool in NYC amid summer heat wave
Stay hydrated during the heat wave and cool off any way you can.Photo by Dean Moses
The city will activate designated cooling centers for New Yorkers and visitors that need to cool off, especially those who may not have frequent access to air conditioning. Cooling center locations are hosted on the interactive “NYC Cool Options Map” offering locations, phone numbers, hours of operation and accessibility information.
Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson said that NYC would be standing by to ensure safe options at major city events.
“City agencies are ready to respond to a summer of celebrations, and that includes quickly mobilizing to help New Yorkers stay safe in extreme heat,” said Kerson. “When a heat emergency hits, we activate hundreds of cooling centers, dispatch teams across all five boroughs to connect New Yorkers with safe, air-conditioned spaces and make sure planned events are ready to pivot to protect the health and well-being of attendees.”
City officials also called on residents to check in with friends, family, and neighbors on especially hot days, especially those most vulnerable to heat-related illness, like older New Yorkers and those living without air conditioning.
Officials warned that heat-related illness and heat stroke can progress rapidly and urged New Yorkers not to ignore early signs like heavy sweating, dizziness, and cramping, which can lead to more serious conditions. NYC Health and Hospitals System Chief of Acute Care and Emergency Preparedness Dr. David Silvestri, said that all the public hospitals will serve as cooling centers during extreme heat warnings.
“We urge anyone feeling the effects of extreme heat to get indoors, cool down, drink cold water and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms worsen,” Silvestri. “Our doors are open to anyone in need, without exception.”
As each summer continues to set record heat levels and emergency medical services across the city are stretched thin, ignoring the signs of heat illness can have dire consequences.
After a year-long staffing shortage, EMS officials said Thursday that emergency vehicle response times were following an alarming trend. Average response times have increased nearly 2 minutes over the last decade, costing valuable, life-saving time.
Officials said all of New York will be safer if communities and individuals take a proactive approach to staying cool and hydrated this summer.
“Help your auntie set up her air-conditioning. Install an indoor thermometer for the senior down the hall,” Mamdani said. “Show your friends how to find one of the City’s cooling centers online. Whatever you do, do not underestimate extreme heat. Hot summer days can turn deadly fast.”