State and local officials are urging people to take precautions due to the current heat wave that is producing air temperatures approaching 100 degrees F. and “feels-like” temperatures above 100.
The Westchester County Health Department is cautioning residents to drink lots of water, avoid over-exertion, check on vulnerable family, friends and neighbors, and to be sure any animals housed outdoors have ample access to shade and water. Residents are reminded to never leave children or pets in a closed car, where temperatures can soar to dangerous levels very quickly. People who do not have air conditioning are reminded they can visit a cooling center if necessary.
The City of Peekskill, for example, opened its Neighborhood Center Dining Room with free WiFi for anyone seeking an air-conditioned environment. It also reminded residents that the air-conditioned library is open during its normal hours.
In Mount Vernon, the Doles Center, Mount Vernon Public Library, Mount Vernon Montefiore Hospital and Mount Vernon Adult Resources Center were made available as cooling centers.
Gov. Kathy Hochul in issuing a statewide alert said that the heat wave will impact the Capital, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island Regions and continue through Wednesday. She noted that forecasts indicate a few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible on Wednesday ahead of a cold front that will bring several days of cooler, drier, and less humid weather to New York state.
“Extreme heat is dangerous and can be fatal if it is not taken seriously,” Hochul said. “I urge residents to plan ahead to make sure they stay hydrated, to check in with elderly neighbors and locate nearby cooling centers during the next few days.”
Just as county and municipal swimming pools were remaining open for extended hours during the heat wave, so too were state recreational facilities. Among those in the Hudson Valley with extended hours: Bear Mountain State Park has extended swimming until 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park pool has extended swimming hours until 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; Rockland Lake State Park pool has extended swimming until 6:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The state Department of Public Service reports that the state’s utilities have approximately 5,500 workers available to deal with electrical outages or other issues. It points out that during heat waves, increased usage of electric devices such as air conditioners place a considerable demand on the state’s electricity system and instances of low voltage or isolated power outages can result. The record for such usage was set on July 19, 2013, when it reached 33,956 megawatts. One megawatt is a million watts of electricity.
