Heat and humidity have descended on the five boroughs, with stormy weather on tap to end the workweek.
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory through 8 p.m. Friday, and triple-digit heat index values are in the forecast.
Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall expected Friday afternoon into the overnight hours could lead to localized flooding.
The city is opening hundreds of cooling centers across the five boroughs on both Thursday and Friday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a release. New Yorkers can find a site near them by searching online or calling 311.
“High heat and severe storms are rolling into New York City, and the best thing we can do right now is prepare and look out for one another,” Mamdani said in a statement. “If you don’t have air-conditioning, make a plan to spend time at a cooling center.”
“If you live in a basement apartment or a neighborhood that has flooded before, know where you’ll go if water begins to rise,” he added. “And if you have a neighbor who may need extra support, check in on them.”
Those who can should stay indoors during Friday’s storms. Outdoors, New Yorkers should avoid downed power lines and fallen trees.
“Anyone in immediate danger or trapped by rising water should call 911 immediately,” the release said. “Downed trees, blocked catch basins and other nonemergency hazards should be reported to 311.”
The city said it will ramp up its homeless outreach efforts to connect vulnerable New Yorkers with shelter and other services.
It will also deploy 21 cooling vans offering resources including wellness checks, meals, electrolytes and sunscreen, as well as transport to cooling centers and healthcare facilities.
New Yorkers can find more outdoor cooling options by visiting Cool It NYC and checking out NY1’s guide to the city’s pools and beaches.
The city is also urging residents to sign up for Notify NYC alerts.