The city is bracing itself for a historic heat wave, with temperatures soaring into the triple digits in the Midwest and East Coast this week and into the July 4th holiday weekend.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged New Yorkers to take precautions, releasing a new video PSA urging every resident to make a heat plan, check on neighbors and loved ones, and take advantage of the resources available across all five boroughs.
The Mayor has convened leaders across City government to announce additional emergency measures to protect New Yorkers, building on Monday’s unprecedented Heat Emergency Plan.
As part of these efforts, cooling centers will be expanded, outdoor pool hours will be extended, and outreach to vulnerable New Yorkers will be increased.
Additionally, the City will open eight additional City buildings as cooling centers from noon through midnight July 3-5, and 10 additional public library branches as cooling centers through the holiday weekend.
The City is also expanding outreach by adding 150 volunteers, bringing the total street outreach workforce to over 600 people.
Mayor Mamdani has asked all businesses to set thermostats to 78 degrees and encouraged all New Yorkers to conserve energy during peak demand.
NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Christina Farrell emphasized the importance of community support, saying, “Our most powerful tool isn’t a forecast or a cooling center. It’s a New Yorker. The neighbor who knocks on the door, the family member who calls to check in, the stranger who stops to help."
Residents can find a cooling center near them and access additional resources by visiting nyc.gov/beattheheat or calling 311.
