Cooling centers and emergency resources are available across Brooklyn this week as a dangerous heat wave grips New York City.
Broiling temperatures arrived on Wednesday and will keep climbing through the week, according to the National Weather Service, with the heat index predicted to hit 110 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday, July 2 and 101 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday, July 3. Things will cool down slightly for the Fourth of July, but an extreme heat watch is in effect until Saturday night.
City officials urge New Yorkers to stay indoors, limit energy use
City officials and the NWS are urging New Yorkers to stay indoors, in the air conditioning, as much as possible and to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks if they have to be outdoors. High heat and humidity “significantly” increases the risk of heat stroke, especially for seniors, young children, and disabled people. There will be little relief after sunset, with temperatures expected to remain in the mid-80s overnight.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other city officials are urging New Yorkers to remain indoors and be careful during the heatwave.Photo courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
The city has activated its Heat Emergency plan, said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Free, public Cooling Centers are open and the city’s new COOL Vans will offer medical care, hot-weather resources and wellness checks around the city.
“I am asking every New Yorker to make a heat plan before the worst of this weather arrives,” Mamdani said in a statement. “The best protection against extreme heat is air conditioning. If you don’t have it at home, know now where you’ll go to stay cool.”
He also urged New Yorkers to check in on their neighbors, especially seniors, who are most vulnerable to heat illness.
A Code Red is in effect, meaning shelter is available to all homeless people who need a space to get inside and stay cool. Brooklynites are encouraged to call 311 if they see someone outdoors and in need of help, and the Department of Homeless Services has ramped up canvassing and outreach efforts in light of the heat wave.
“Extreme heat is forecasted for this week, which can lead to severe health impacts both outdoors and indoors,” said health commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. “Hot and humid weather is not just uncomfortable but can be deadly. Using air conditioning is the best way to stay safe during hot weather.”
Though air conditioning is encouraged, the city is asking New Yorkers to be mindful of their energy use. Extremely hot days — when millions of air conditioners are cranked on across the city — strain the electric grid and can cause brownouts and blackouts.
Officials say air conditioners should be set to 78 degrees Fahrenheit, and ask New Yorkers to avoid using their large appliances during peak hours. Con Edison said it activated its Emergency Response Center to prepare for outages or equipment issues.
Some pools will stay open later
Brooklyn’s intermediate and Olympic-sized pools will be open later than usual to help people cool down in the evenings. The following pools are open until 8:30 p.m. until Saturday, July 4:
Bushwick Pool
Commodore Barry Pool
Douglass & DeGraw Pool
Howard Pool
Betsy Head Pool
Kosciuszko Pool
McCarren Pool
Sunset Park Pool
Some pools will be open later than usual to help Brooklynites beat the heat. File photo by Todd Maisel
The Red Hook Pool is closed due to mechanical issues until late July.
Public beaches will retain their normal hours, with lifeguards on duty from 10 a.m.6-p.m. Note that large parts of the beach in Coney Island and Brighton Beach are closed to swimming, check online before heading out or entering the water and only swim when lifeguards are on-duty.
Find a Cooling Center
There are dozens of Cooling Centers open across Brooklyn. The easiest and most accurate way to find your nearest Cooling Center is to check the city’s Cool Options map, which also displays outdoor cooling options like spray showers and pools. You can also call 311 to find the address and contact information for your nearest center.
Cooling Centers are open across Brooklyn and across New York City. File photo courtesy of Tdorante10/Wikimedia Commons
Hours of operation can vary by day, be sure to call the Cooling Center before you head out to ensure it is open. Some Cooling Centers — including most Brooklyn Public library locations will be closed for the holiday weekend. Mamdani has designated some additional sites that will remain open from noon to midnight, July 3-5.
Cooling Centers open July 3-5:
Brooklyn Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights
Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Ave., Sunset Park
Brighton Beach Library, 16 Brighton 1st Road, Brighton Beach
Saratoga Library, 8 Thomas S. Boyland St., Bushwick
Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, Downtown Brooklyn
NYCEM Headquarters, 165 Cadman Plaza West, Downtown Brooklyn
Brooklyn Paper has assembled a partial list of Cooling Centers available throughout the week. Days and times of operation may vary, we’ve included phone numbers so you can call ahead to ensure the Cooling Center you’re looking at is open. Note that some Cooling Centers are closed for the holiday weekend.
Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Fort Greene and Brooklyn Heights
Greenpoint Library – 107 Norman Ave. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Closed July 3-5. (718) 349-8504.
Polish & Slavic Senior Center, 176 Java St., Greenpoint. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. or 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Older adults only. (718) 383-3434.
CCNS Northside Older Adult Center, 179 North 6th St., Williamsburg. 7 a.m.-6 p.m. or 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Older adults only. (718) 387-2316.
St. Nicks Alliance Swinging Sixties Older Adult Center. 211 Ainslie St., Williamsburg. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. or 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (718) 963-3793.
Willoughby Older Adult Center, 105 N. Portland Ave., Fort Greene, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. or 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Older adults only. (718) 875-1011.
St. Charles Jubilee Older Adult Center, 55 Pierrepont St., Brooklyn Heights. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. or 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (718) 855-0326.
Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights & Prospect Heights
Office of state Sen. Julia Salazar, 212 Evergreen Ave., Bushwick. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., closed Friday-Sunday.
Saratoga Square Senior Center, 930 Halsey Ave., Bushwick, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. or 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (347) 425-0676.
Herbert Von King Cultural Arts Center, 670 Lafayette Ave., Bed-Stuy, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Saturday & Sunday. (718) 622-2082.
Stuyvesant Heights Older Adult Center, 562 Madison St., Bed-Stuy, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. or 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Older adults only. (718) 230-0824. Closed Sunday.
Weeksville Heritage Center, 158 Buffalo Ave., Crown Heights, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (718) 756-5250. Closed Saturday-Monday.
Brooklyn Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (718) 230-2100.
Red Hook, Sunset Park, Park Slope
Red Hook Older Adult Center, 120 West 9th St., Red Hook, hours vary, call ahead. (917) 769-7518
Office of Council Member Alexa Avilés, 4417 4th Ave., Sunset Park. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., closed Friday-Sunday. (718) 439-9012.
CPC Brooklyn Older Adult Center, Sunset Park. 4101 8th Ave., Sunset Park. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. or 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (917) 922-8382.
Park Slope Center for Successful Aging, 436A 7th St., Park Slope. 8 a.m.-7 p.m or 10 a.m.-6 p.m.(718) 832-3726.
Flatbush, East Flatbush, East New York & Brownsville
NYC Health+Hospitals/Kings County, 451 Clarkson Ave., Flatbush. Enter D building lobby through rear. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (718) 245-3131.
Remsen Sarita Jean Older Adult Center, 3304 Clarendon Road, East Flatbush. 9 a.m.-5 p.m, closed Saturday & Sunday. (718) 282-1259.
Langston Hughes Community Center, 301 Sutter Ave., Brownsville. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. or 3-11 p.m. (917) 893-8215.
Brownsville Neighborhood Health Action Center, 259 Bristol St., Brownsville. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. or 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 718-342-0600.
Teresa Moore Older Adult Center, 2702 Linden Boulevard, East New York. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Older adults only. (347) 663-7770.
Petco Gateway Brooklyn, 528 Gateway Drive, East New York. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (718) 647-2604.
Borough Park, Midwood, Bensonhurst, Sheepshead Bay & Coney Island
AMICO 59th St. Senior Center, 5901 13th Ave., Borough Park. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. or 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (718) 972-1558.
Bay Ridge Corps Older Adult Center, 252 86th St., Bay Ridge. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Friday-Sunday. (718) 238-2991.
JCCGCI Midwood Older Adult Center. 1625 Ocean Ave., Midwood. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Saturday & Sunday. (718) 253-0508.
Bensonhurst Corps Community Center, 7307 18th Ave., Bensonhurst. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. or 1:30-4 p.m. Closed Sunday. (718) 975-4653
JCCGCI Jay-Harama Older Adult Center, 2600 Ocean Ave., Sheepshead Bay. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Saturday & Sunday. (718) 891-1110.
JASA Luna Park Annex Older Adult Center. 2880 West 12th St., Coney Island. 8 a.m-4 p.m., closed Saturday & Sunday. (718) 996-6666.