With the city under a heat advisory until 8 p.m. Sunday, New Yorkers found ways to cope with the scorching weather.
“You better beat the heat,” Dwayne Cooper said.
“It’s super hot, it’s humid,” Kevin Stewart said.
What You Need To Know
- Feel-like temperatures of more than 100 degrees were forecasted for Sunday
- In an effort to keep New Yorkers cool, the city used schools as cooling centers
- City officials remind New Yorkers about health risks that often come with extreme heat, and those living in areas with high heat vulnerability should be especially careful
Feel-like temperatures of more than 100 degrees were forecasted for Sunday. In an effort to keep New Yorkers cool, the city used schools as cooling centers.
“When you see these types of advisories, it is very important for New Yorkers to take it seriously,” New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said.
Iscol also warned New Yorkers about the health risks that often come with extreme heat and advised to be extra careful.
“We have a lot of places that we’ve mapped out around the city, that have what we call a high HVI, or a heat vulnerability index,” Iscol said.
The dark red areas of the map show city neighborhoods with high heat vulnerability. The factors determining heat vulnerability are the daytime summer surface temperature, access to air conditioning, how much green space there is and the median income in the area.
Part of central-eastern Brooklyn is considered high risk. Community members say they’re on high alert amid soaring temperatures.
“Heat fatigue really exists, it’s real, so after we walk our dog, my husband is going to work and I’m going back upstairs under the A/C,” Lisa Ross said.
“I put a cool rag over my neck,” Cooper said.
“I’m going to work today, and when I come back, I go to the beach,” Daniel Joseph said.
Officials say to stay hydrated: drink water, avoid alcohol and caffeine which can dehydrate you. Experts also suggest wearing lightweight and light-colored clothing. They also say to check on vulnerable loved ones and elderly neighbors.
“You just gotta take care of your elderly ones, making sure they’re safe. Go to the stores for them, just help out,” Cooper said.
Many New Yorkers said they were grateful to have air conditioners in their homes. For those without, the city recommends visiting cooling centers to find relief from the heat.