With New York City experiencing another dangerous heat wave this summer, the city will open cooling centers and provide emergency resources to citizens.
Temperatures are expected to reach as high as 99 degrees, with a heat index nearing 101, as the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15.
This heat wave arrives almost two weeks after the previous one claimed five lives while wreaking havoc on the city’s electrical infrastructure. As temperatures soared to 100 degrees, equipment problems and electrical demand forced Con Edison to temporarily shut off power to nearly 10,000 customers in southwest Queens.
Moreover, New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) released an advisory alerting residents about potentially worsening air quality due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. The hazy blanket of smoke will continue into Thursday.
Coastal areas face a high risk of rip currents on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Every New Yorker has a different risk profile, and this week you need to know yours,” said Christina Farrell, Commissioner of NYC Emergency Management. “If you’re sensitive to air quality, don’t remain in a space without air conditioning or filtration. And if you’re in a population vulnerable to heat, older adults, young children, people with chronic conditions, take the heat seriously too.”
The city’s emergency management recommends residents use the new Cool It! NYC Map to find nearby places to hydrate and seek shade.
Cooling Centers across the city will be open on Tuesday and Wednesday to provide relief from the heat.Photo via Getty Images
How to Stay Cool
New York City Cooling Centers will be open on Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15, to beat the heat. To find your nearest Cooling Center, check the city’s Cooling Center Finder, which also features outdoor cooling options such as spray showers and pools.
Cooling centers in Queens include:
Fresh Meadows Library — 193-20 Horace Harding Expy, Fresh Meadows (closes at 6 p.m.)
Petco College Point — 133-11 20th Ave, College Point (closes at 8 p.m.)
Kew Gardens Hills Library — 72-33 Vleigh Pl, Flushing (closes at 6 p.m.)
McGoldrick Library — 155-06 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing (closes at 6 p.m.)
You can also call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) to find the address and contact information for your nearest center.
Outdoor pools will be open until 8:30 p.m., while adults 18 and older can obtain free spray caps from local firehouses to convert fire hydrants into temporary sprinklers.
To stay informed before, during, and after emergencies, citizens can sign up for Notify NYC.
Sign up for alerts: NYC.gov/NotifyNYC
Text NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 to receive emergency updates by SMS.