National Weather Service issues excessive heat warning starting Friday; county puts heat advisory in place
From the National Weather Service:
...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO 8 PM EDT SUNDAY... * HEAT INDEX VALUES...Around 105 on Friday and around 110 Saturday and Sunday. * TIMING...12 pm Friday through 8 pm Sunday. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat can cause illness and death among at- risk population who cannot stay cool. The excessive heat may quickly cause heat stress or heat stroke. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... An Excessive Heat Warning is issued when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it is 105 degrees or greater. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible, and drink plenty of water. Seniors and those with chronic health problems or mental health conditions are at increased risk. Homes without air conditioning can be much hotter than outdoors. Use air conditioning to stay cool at home or go to a place that has air conditioning. Check on vulnerable friends, family members and neighbors. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! In cases of heat stroke call 9 1 1.
Westchester County and the Pelham and Pelham Manor police departments also issued warnings. The county’s advisory follows:
With high humidity and temperatures forecasted to exceed 95 degrees in the County Friday through Sunday, the Westchester County Health Department is issuing a heat advisory. As humidity and temperatures rise, residents should avoid strenuous activity, drink lots of water, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and take precautions to prevent heat-related illness.
Heat stroke is a serious and life-threatening condition that claims many lives nationwide each year. Symptoms include hot red, dry skin, shallow breathing, a rapid, weak pulse and confusion. Anyone suffering from heat stroke needs to receive emergency medical treatment immediately. Call 911 if you suspect heat stroke and immediately cool the overheated person while waiting for emergency help to arrive.
Another concern during a heat wave is heat exhaustion. Seniors, young children, people who are overweight or who have high blood pressure and those who work in hot environments are most at risk. Signs include headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness and exhaustion, as well as cool, moist, pale or flushed skin. Anyone suffering from heat exhaustion should move out of the sun and apply cool, wet cloths to their skin.
Those who plan to travel by car should prepare their vehicle before hitting the road. Always travel with a spare battery, and avoid leading radios, phone chargers and other accessories running when the engine is not. Check to make sure your air conditioning is properly functioning and coolant is at the proper level. If you plan to travel in less populated areas, bring water and an umbrella for share if it becomes necessary to leave the car. Always keep air flowing throughout the vehicle, and seek shade when parked.
For tips to prevent heat-related illness and places to stay cool, residents can visit the Health Department website at www.westchestergov.com/health.
Residents who need a place to cool off should check with their municipality for the latest availability, hours and locations of cooling centers, and with the facilities themselves. A list of libraries and community centers that serve as cooling centers is available at
https://www.health.ny.gov/
The Village of Croton-on-Hudson has opened the Community Room at the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building as a cooling center. It will be unstaffed and will remain open 24/7 until the heat wave breaks.
The Croton Free Library, located at 171 Cleveland Drive, is also available during their normal business hours. Please check http://www.
The Town of Cortlandt will open the Muriel H. Morabito Community Center at 29 Westbrook Drive Wednesday, July 17, 2019 through Friday, July 19, 2019 from 8:30 am – 6:00 pm.
Upon request to the Pelham Police Department, the Pelham Town House, 20 Fifth Avenue, Pelham NY 10803 will be open. Call (914) 738-2000.
-
- For Mount Vernon, go to www.cmvny.com
- For New Rochelle, go to www.newrochelleny.com
- For Port Chester, go to www.portchesterny.com
- For Peekskill, go to www.cityofpeekskill.com
- For Rye Town, go to www.townofrye.com
- For Yonkers, go to www.yonkersny.gov/keepcool
- For Ossining Village, go to www.villageofossining.org
Elevated heat and humidity can also lead to unhealthy levels of ozone, a gas produced by the action of sunlight on organic air contaminants from auto exhaust and other sources. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forecasts daily ozone conditions at (http://www.dec.ny.gov), or call the New York State Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-535-1345.
The County’s Department of Emergency Services is monitoring the weather forecast, tracking the opening of local Cooling Centers and is in contact with Con Edison and NYSEG concerning the potential for power outages. If you see fallen power lines or damaged electrical equipment, Dial 911. Do not touch a downed line or anyone in contact with the line. Always assume a downed line is live. To report an electrical outage call Con Edison at 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633) or NYSEG at 1-800-572-1131. Whether you’re a contractor or a homeowner doing an outdoor project, having underground utilities marked is essential to protect yourself and others from injury and prevent damage to underground utility lines, which is especially important during periods of extreme heat and high demand for electricity. Visit https://www.digsafelynewyork.
