Mayor Adams urges New Yorkers to take preventive measures in recent expected heat wave

Addressing a briefing to discuss extreme heat expected this week, Mayor Adams said that National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory and high heat and humidity are also being forecast over the next few days.

“We expect to see heat indexes as high as 101 degrees through tomorrow and potentially into Wednesday. I just want New Yorkers to know, do not underestimate the heat,” he said.

“We have seen extreme heat impacts the western United States the past two weeks, and more than 19 cities in the west, including Las Vegas, have broken temperature records, and at least 28 people have died,” he said.

“This heat is not normal, we’ve said it over and over again, climate change is here and is real, and it is a clear and present danger,” he emphasized.

 “Our city is prepared, the entire apparatus is coordinating together, including the MTA and Con Edison, and here over at OEM. We have more than 500 cooling centers in our network, and that includes our libraries, as we’re joined with our library team, who’s really letting people know it’s a welcome place as we deal with the heat,” he said.

.”Our beaches will be open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily, and we extended hours at our Olympic and intermediate pools, they will be open from 11 a.m. through 8 p.m. And mini pools will be open 11 a.m. until 7 p.m,” he said.

“New Yorkers can find additional ways to stay cool online at our cool options map at finder.nyc.gov/coolingcenters, or by calling 311,” he said.

Mayor Adams said that he already made clear weeks ago, having a working air conditioner in your home is one of the most effective ways to guard against heat emergencies.

He said that low-income New Yorkers can apply to receive an air conditioner at no charge through the federal home energy assistance program while funding lasts.

“We are in constant communication with our utility partners including Con Edison and PSEG Long Island and we will be monitoring the electrical system, please try to minimize use to avoid any blackouts. The system can be stressed, and when temperatures rise, we urge New Yorkers to be mindful of their energy consumption, he urged.

“We’ll walk the walk, too, with more than 600 city buildings reducing energy consumption to ease pressure on our grid, the equivalent of powering down 12 Empire State buildings. Please make sure to check on your neighbors, it’s important, those who are dealing with respiratory issues or dealing with health issues, just really check in on them,” he said.

He asked every citizen to ensure drinking plenty of water  so you can stay hydrated.

“New Yorkers, I encourage you to sign up for Notify NYC, the city’s free emergency notification system, which will keep everyone updated about weather and air quality issues,”he said.

“Notify NYC is available in 14 languages, including American Sign Language, and the administration has made public safety the center of everything we do, and that includes preparing for weather emergencies and protecting our fellow New Yorkers, and we want to remind all of you to do the same, he added.