With temperatures expected to soar above 90 degrees this week, New York City officials announced plans Monday to open cooling centers across the five boroughs beginning on Tuesday.
"The first heat wave of the season is here, and we are ready," Mayor Eric Adams said at a press conference. "We expect the National Weather Service to issue a heat advisory for New York City that would be in effect from Thursday, June 20th through Friday, June 21st.”
Adams said temperatures are expected to climb into the low 90s on Tuesday and Wednesday, with humidity on tap and “peak heat” arriving Thursday and Friday. The heat index could reach as high as 99 degrees prior to the weekend, he said.
Cooling centers will be set up at sites including libraries, community centers and senior centers. To locate a nearby cooling center, the city is encouraging residents to visit the Cooling Center Finder or call 311.
The mayor noted that there are pet-friendly cooling centers in every borough.
"We're just starting out the summer months. We can only expect even more as the summer continues to move forward," Adams said. "That is why it's important to get into good habits now, and why we're coming together early to give information that will help everyday New Yorkers."
In addition to opening cooling centers, Adams said the city will be handing out "cool kits" to delivery workers and others who work outdoors as part of its extreme heat plan.These kits include a cooling towel, cold pack, electrolyte mix and sunscreen.
The city’s plan also advises those who work outdoors to drink water every 15 minutes, take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas, wear lightweight and light-colored clothing and be vigilant for signs of heat illness.
According to New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol, heat-related fatalities are a serious concern.
"We lose over 350 New Yorkers a year, on average, to heat," Iscol said. "We’ve said it over and over again that heat is a silent killer, and it poses a significant threat, especially to our most vulnerable residents: adults ages 60 and older, young children, those with pre-existing health conditions like [heart] disease, diabetes, mental health conditions or cognitive impairment.”
Meanwhile, utility providers Con Edison and PSEG Long Island are preparing for potential strain on the electric grid as demand for air conditioning rises during the heat wave. Residents are advised to prepare for possible power outages and to contact their utility provider in case of disruptions.