NEW YORK CITY—As New York City faces several days of very high temperatures, its Emergency Management team has issued warnings for people to take care of themselves and others.
Last year, 350 people died in the city during elevated summer temperatures.
The elderly and people with health conditions like asthma or heart disease are particularly at risk, officials said.
The hottest day on record for New York City was on July 9, 1936, when the mercury reached 106 degrees Fahrenheit in Central Park.
On June 19, the mercury hit 89 degrees as crowds nonetheless made the most of their day off for Juneteenth, a federal holiday.
Temperatures are expected to hit 91 degrees Fahrenheit on June 20 and to 93 degrees on June 21, according to the National Weather Service.
In an early heat warning issued on June 17, Mayor Eric Adams said New Yorkers faced “real safety issues” and needed to plan to deal with the high temperatures and humidity.
“We want to be clear, this is extremely hot for June and New Yorkers should not underestimate the heat.”
He added: “A heat wave can be more than just uncomfortable—it can be deadly and life-threatening if you are not prepared.”
Mr. Adams said the city beaches would be open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. but that public pools were not yet open.
According to the NYC Parks Department, pools will be available from June 27.
As the temperatures rise and people switch on their air-conditioning, there is a possibility of power blackouts during peak usage.
Mr. Adams previously said that having a working air conditioner was one of the most effective ways to guard against excessive heat.
However, he noted: “The system can be stressed when temperatures are high and everyone is using their air conditioner, so we want to be extremely conscious of that.”
If people need to venture outside, Mr. Adams suggested: “Take breaks, utilize whatever area that you could have for shade, wear a hat, do whatever is possible to keep your body temperature down.”
He also wanted people to check on their neighbors.
“We all know who’s around us who have either breathing conditions ... or if there are seniors who are living alone, please let’s be good New Yorkers and ensure that we give them the support that they need.”
Chouaib Prince of Astoria, New York City, has been operating his pedicab business Go Hybrid NYC for 20 years and knows how to deal with scorching days.
Mr. Prince stays hydrated, wears a hat and light clothes, and sticks to the shade of trees where he can.
“I drink at least a gallon-and-a-half of water and plenty of iced drinks,” he told The Epoch Times.
“It’s not how hot it is, it is how you protect yourself.”
A fellow pedicab operator, Omer Biyi, of New Jersey, who has been operating in Central Park for seven years, downs almost a gallon of water while working.
When asked if the hills and rises in the park make for hard going he smiles and points to his pedicab’s motor assist.
“It makes it easier.”
Late in the morning of what was heading toward an expected 90-plus-degree day, he said he was still looking forward to taking customers around.
“If only to make some money.”
Several horse carriage drivers told The Epoch Times that they are very mindful of their animals’ health on such hot days.
One who did not want to be named said he stopped at a water trough whenever his horse seemed to need to drink.
The Animal Welfare Institute said on its website that carriage horses pulling loads in high heat require between 15 and 20 gallons of water per day.
In the Times Square tourist mecca, a concert of Broadway numbers attracted hundreds of people.
While the day had yet to hit its hottest, the tall buildings offered areas of welcome shade, aided by a coolish breeze coming up Seventh Avenue.
However, the zephyr did little for the costumed characters who get tourist dollars by posing for photos with visitors.
Their heavy outfits, such as Elmo and Cookie Monster, definitely were not air-conditioned.
In a June 17 statement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said: “This weather event may bring historic successive days of extreme heat to the I-90 corridor. ”Keep an eye on your local forecast, stay hydrated, and postpone outdoor activity as much as possible.”
On her website, the governor said the New York Health Department had distributed guidance to all hospitals and nursing homes and would engage community-based organizations and other funded providers to increase access to cooling centers and safe spaces during the extreme heat.
