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As extreme heat bears down on the tri-state area, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has activated a heat emergency plan to protect residents from historically high temperatures. The heat wave, expected to last through the Fourth of July weekend, could bring heat indices between 105 and 110 degrees.
To combat the heat, the city is deploying 21 mobile cooling centers, extending pool hours, and creating pop-up cooling stations for outdoor workers. Additionally, LinkNYC kiosks will display information about the nearest cooling centers. The Department of Homeless Services will operate Code Red outreach from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. during heat advisory days, ensuring that unsheltered individuals receive necessary support.
Mayor Mamdani emphasized the importance of staying indoors with air conditioning during the hottest hours, urging residents to sign up for Notify NYC for updates. The city also reminds the public that beaches and pools are open, with extended hours at Olympic and intermediate-sized pools.
The heat wave is expected to peak on Thursday and Friday, with temperatures possibly reaching 100 degrees in Central Park for the first time since 2012. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning, urging people to stay in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible.
Mayor Mamdani also signed an Executive Order to develop protections for workers from extreme heat, highlighting the importance of heat illness prevention plans for outdoor workers. Lisa Wood, Northeast Regional Field Organizer for the BlueGreen Alliance, praised the initiative, stating that it will save lives and keep workers out of hospitals.
For more information on staying safe during the heat wave, visit New York City Emergency Management's website.
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