Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
#27-20

NYC COOLING CENTERS AND COOL IT! NYC INITIATIVES AVAILABLE TUESDAY TO HELP NEW YORKERS BEAT THE HEAT

Heat Advisory for New York City extended through 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 28


Cooling centers will remain open across the city on Tuesday. To find the nearest location, including hours of operation, call 311 or visit the City’s Cooling Center Finder

July 27, 2020 — As the high heat and humidity continue to affect New York City, the New York City Emergency Management Department and the Health Department today announced that cooling centers and Cool It! NYC initiatives will remain available on Tuesday to help New Yorkers beat the heat. With heat index values forecast around 100 degrees, the National Weather Service has extended the heat advisory through 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 28. To find your nearest cooling center call 311 or visit the City’s Cooling Center Finder. Attendees must wear face coverings inside all cooling centers and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Cool Streets, which are activated during heat emergencies, will also remain open. DOT’s Open Streets initiative highlights each Cool Street across the city.

“With the dangerous heat and humidity sticking around, we will extend cooling centers and Cool Streets through Tuesday to ensure New Yorkers have multiple resources available to beat the heat,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell. “Continue to use your air conditioner, drink lots of water, and don’t forget to check on your neighbors, friends, and family members who are most vulnerable to extreme heat.”

“Heat can be deadly and the Health Department encourages all New Yorkers to stay hydrated, remain in air conditioned spaces and utilize cooling centers as necessary,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “Frequently check in on family and neighbors remotely who are at greatest risk of heat-related illness to ensure they’re staying cool and safe.”

Heat-related Illness

In New York City, most heat-related deaths occur after exposure to heat in homes without air conditioners. Air conditioning is the best way to stay safe and healthy when it is hot outside, but some people at risk of heat illness do not have or do not turn on an air conditioner. The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Health Department urge New Yorkers to take steps to protect themselves and help others who may be at increased risk from the heat. Individuals should stay out of the sun as much as possible, avoid strenuous activity, especially during the sun’s peak hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. For more heat-related health tips, and to learn the warning signs of heat illness, visit NYC.gov/Health or NYC.gov/beatheheat.


To help New Yorkers beat the heat during heat emergencies, New York City has implemented a number of measures through the Cool It! NYC initiative. These measures will remain available on Tuesday, and include:

  • More than 260 new cooling and misting sites in parks in heat-burdened neighborhoods
  • More than 200 Cooling Centers open throughout the city
  • More than 300 hydrants opened with spray caps installed by FDNY and DEP
  • 16 Cool Streets
  • Eight public pools open across the city
  • 650 spray showers in city parks (available every day of the summer)

A citywide map of cooling elements can be found online at Cool It! NYC. The City has also installed close to 45,000 air conditioners to low-income seniors.

Cooling Centers

As the City continues its response to COVID-19, social distancing guidelines have been implemented to ensure the safety of any New Yorker who visits a cooling center to seek relief from the heat. Face coverings must be worn at all times inside cooling centers, and attendees must adhere to social distancing guidelines of six feet or more. Cooling centers will also operate at limited capacity. Cooling centers located at senior center locations will be reserved for seniors. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, individuals are reminded to stay at home if they are feeling sick or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Cooling center locations have changed from last year. To find a cooling center, including accessible facilities closest to you, call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or click here

Pools

As an additional measure to stay cool and beat the heat, New Yorkers are invited to take a dip in any one of NYC Parks’ eight free public pools now open to the public, including: Mullaly Pool in the Bronx; Sunset and Kosciuszko Pools in Brooklyn; Wagner Pool in Manhattan; Liberty and Fisher Pools in Queens; and Tottenville and Lyons Pools on Staten Island. Pool goers are reminded that face coverings are now required to enter the facility, and standard pool protocols apply — bring a bathing suit, towel, and lock to secure belongings. Pool hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. More information can be found at https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/outdoor-pools.

Code Red

During extreme heat, the Department of Social Services (DSS) issues a Code Red Alert. During Code Reds, shelter is available to anyone experiencing homelessness, where those experiencing heat-related discomfort are also able to access a designated cooling area. Transportation to cooling centers is available via DSS outreach teams who engage with potentially homeless individuals every day of the year and intensify engagement during extreme heat.


Stay Informed

New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program. To sign up for Notify NYC, download the free mobile application, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, call 311, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Omar Bourne
(718) 422-4888 / press@oem.nyc.gov