{"id":232119,"date":"2026-06-30T20:29:08","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T20:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/232119\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T20:29:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T20:29:08","slug":"philadelphia-heat-wave-emergency-declared-heres-what-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/232119\/","title":{"rendered":"Philadelphia heat wave: Emergency declared. Here\u2019s what to know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>How is SEPTA impacted?<\/p>\n<p>SEPTA\u2019s Regional Rail lines may experience delays of up to 20 minutes on Tuesday due to the excessive heat and signal issues, as operating speeds have been reduced for safety.<\/p>\n<p>How are Fourth of July and World Cup festivities impacted?<\/p>\n<p>The city\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/philadelphia-4th-of-july-concert-fireworks-2026\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade<\/a>, scheduled for noon on Friday, will follow a shorter route than originally planned due to extreme heat.<\/p>\n<p>The parade will now end at Broad and Chestnut streets, as opposed to the Ben Franklin Parkway.<\/p>\n<p>FIFA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/phillyfwc26.com\/hours-of-operation\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Fan Festival in Lemon Hill<\/a> is also shifting its hours due to the weather. Saturday\u2019s watch party will end once the 1 p.m. match is wrapped up.<\/p>\n<p>At the actual World Cup game, fans will be allowed to bring in one soft, plastic, 20-ounce factory-sealed disposable water bottle into the stadium, per FIFA.<\/p>\n<p>Understanding extreme heat risks<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/philadelphia-heat-wave-illness-safety-tips\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Heat-related illnesses<\/a>, such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion, increase significantly during periods of high heat and humidity.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/aging-population-global-warming-philadelphia-climate-change\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Older adults<\/a>, infants, <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/npr-story\/why-certain-medications-can-increase-your-risk-in-the-heat\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">people taking certain medications<\/a>, people with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and asthma, people who are pregnant, people without access to air conditioning or shelter and <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/philadelphia-heat-illness-indoor-workers-retail\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">people working outdoors<\/a> face a higher risk of heat-related illnesses. Heat is also the top weather-related cause of death in the United States.<\/p>\n<p>Here are <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/philadelphia-extreme-heat-humidity-safety\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">heat-related symptoms<\/a> to watch out for:<\/p>\n<p>Dizziness or lightheadedness<br \/>\nHeadache<br \/>\nIntense sweating<br \/>\nIn severe cases, no sweating<br \/>\nHigh internal body temperature<br \/>\nBlurred vision<br \/>\nFast pulse<br \/>\nConfusion<br \/>\nNausea<br \/>\nFainting<br \/>\nSeizures<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/philadelphia-extreme-heat-humidity-safety\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Extreme heat<\/a> can also cause kidney, heart and lung issues, particularly for people with pre-existing conditions like cardiovascular disease.<\/p>\n<p>How to protect yourself and loved ones during extreme heat<\/p>\n<p>The best way to beat the heat is to <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/feeling-sick-philly-urges-residents-to-watch-for-signs-of-heatstroke-and-exhaustion\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">stay in an air-conditioned space<\/a>, Philadelphia Department of Public Health spokesperson James Garrow told WHYY News previously.<\/p>\n<p>Residents are also encouraged to keep blinds and curtains closed during the day, open windows to let in a breeze if it cools down at night, and take cold showers or baths to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phila.gov\/2019-05-29-its-hot-outside-heres-how-you-can-staycoolphl\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">help stay cool<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking to cool off in Philly, here\u2019s where you can <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/philadelphia-heat-wave-pools-spraygrounds-cooling-centers-cool-off\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">find pools and spraygrounds<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>WHYY News Climate Desk reporter Sophia Schmidt has more on <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/philadelphia-extreme-heat-humidity-safety\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">how to stay safe from extreme heat<\/a>, including hydration reminders and indoor fan precautions.<\/p>\n<p>How to help<\/p>\n<p>During extreme heat, residents are encouraged to check in on elderly neighbors and relatives. If you see someone experiencing <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/feeling-sick-philly-urges-residents-to-watch-for-signs-of-heatstroke-and-exhaustion\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">symptoms of heatstroke<\/a>, like rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing or chest pain, call 911.<\/p>\n<p>Residents, regardless of age, may call the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pcacares.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Philadelphia Corporation for Aging<\/a>\u2019s free HeatLine\u00a0 (215-765-9040) during Heat Health Emergencies for health and safety tips or to speak with nurses about heat-related medical issues.<\/p>\n<p>If you see someone who appears to be unhoused during a Code Red, you are urged to request a street outreach team by contacting the city\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/projecthome.org\/our-work\/outreach-coordination-center\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Homeless Outreach hotline<\/a> at 215-232-1984.<\/p>\n<p>Residents who see a pet outside during a Code Red are urged to contact Philadelphia\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.acctphilly.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT)<\/a> at 267-385-3800 and dial 1 to speak with the dispatcher. Residents may also <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/1BH86Tl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">file a report online<\/a> with all of the available information.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how you can <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/npr-story\/pet-dog-cats-safety-tips-hot-weather\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">keep your pet(s) safe \u2014 and comfortable \u2014 in extreme heat<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, learn <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/npr-story\/extreme-heat-how-to-protect-yourself-stroke-heart-attack-organ-kidney-failure\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">what happens to the body<\/a> in extreme temperatures and <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/npr-story\/extreme-heat-how-to-protect-yourself-stroke-heart-attack-organ-kidney-failure\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">how heat becomes deadly<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>WHYY News\u2019 Sophia Schmidt contributed reporting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"How is SEPTA impacted? SEPTA\u2019s Regional Rail lines may experience delays of up to 20 minutes on Tuesday&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":232120,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[74472,69,71,70],"class_list":["post-232119","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-philadelphia","tag-extreme-heat","tag-philadelphia","tag-philadelphia-headlines","tag-philadelphia-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/232119","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=232119"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/232119\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/232120"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=232119"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=232119"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=232119"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}