Governor Hochul Activates State Emergency Operations Center ...

Governor Kathy Hochul today activated New York State's Emergency Operations Center ahead of a four-day extreme heat event that is forecasted to hit New York beginning today. Record temperatures are possible in Western, Central, Northern New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Capital Region. Temperatures are likely to peak today through Thursday but will linger in some places into the weekend. The “feels like” temperature values are looking to approach the low 90’s to over 100 degrees today through Friday. Most places north of New York City will have “feels like” temperatures near 100 degrees or higher. Friday will vary between the mid 70’s in the North Country with the potential to exceed 100 degrees in the Mid-Hudson region. Saturday will be in the mid 70’s in the North Country and range anywhere from the lower 80’s to the mid 90’s in the rest of the state. Overnight temperatures will remain warm in the higher 60’s to mid 70’s, not allowing much relief from the heat tonight through Friday night. Saturday and Sunday night will range in the high 50’s to the mid 70’s statewide.

“Heat like this can be dangerous – New Yorkers should take every precaution to stay cool this week,” Governor Hochul said. “Stay hydrated, avoid excessive outdoor activity and, if needed, visit a cooling center near you.”

Keeping Safe During Extreme Heat

Prepare in Advance

• Sign up for NY alerts that can come to your phone and email and other alerts offered in your local community.
• Create a family emergency plan and include a plan to stay cool.
• Install air conditioners and insulate around them, cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun, and set up fans to increase air flow.
• You may qualify for a free air conditioning unit. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can provide an air conditioning unit to income eligible households that include someone with a documented medical condition exacerbated by extreme heat, or households with young children or older adults. Applications will continue to be accepted until funding runs out. For more information, visit the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance website or contact your local office for the aging at 1-800-342-9871.
• Attend a free Citizen Preparedness Corps training for residents and get the tools and resources to prepare for emergencies.

Heat Stroke and Exhaustion - Know the Symptoms and What to Do

• Heat stroke is the most serious type of heat-related illness and is always an emergency. Call 911 immediately if you or your loved one has a body temperature above 105°, a rapid pulse, confusion, rapid or shallow breathing, or loses consciousness. Try to cool the person quickly using a cool bath, fans and air conditioning while you wait for emergency responders.
• Heavy sweating, fainting, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, weakness and cold clammy skin can be indications of heat exhaustion, which can quickly escalate to heat stroke without prompt intervention. Individuals should be moved to a cool place, and cool wet cloths applied to the neck, face and arms.
• Heat cramps in the abdominal area or extremities can be treated by moving to a cool place, gently stretching the cramped muscle and drinking cool water.
• Additional information, including procedures for athletes and coaches, workers and employers and heat and health data can be found on the Department of Health’s Extreme Heat website.

What to Do During Extreme Heat

• Stay inside in the air conditioning if possible.
• If you don’t have access to air-conditioning within your home, open windows and shades on the shady side and close them on the sunny side to try to cool it down. It may also be cooler outside in the shade.
• Identify free locations areas in your neighborhood where you can go to stay cool such as a public library, pool, or mall. Find Cooling Centers in New York State and New York City.
• Drink plenty of fluids - preferably water.
• When working in the heat you should drink one cup (8 ounces) of water every 15 – 20 minutes.  That translates to at least 24-32 ounces glasses of water per hour during extreme heat, even if you do not feel thirsty. Drinking water at shorter intervals is more effective than drinking large amounts infrequently. Your body needs water to keep cool. Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
• Beat the heat with cool showers and baths.
• Take regular breaks from physical activity.
• Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day (between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.).
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing to help keep cool.
• Stay out of the sun as much as possible.
• Wear sunscreen and a ventilated hat (e.g., straw or mesh) when in the sun, even if it is cloudy.

Never Leave Children and Pets Unsupervised in Hot Cars

There is a real and severe danger when leaving children or pets unsupervised in a car even when temperatures don’t “feel” hot. At 60 degrees outside, after just one hour a closed car can get as hot as 105 degrees.