Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on Extreme Heat and Urges Caution to Safely Enjoy July 4th Activities

Hottest Temperatures of the Year Expected Today and Thursday with ‘Feels-Like’ Temperatures Reaching 100 Degrees

Some Places Could Experience ‘Feels-Like’ Temperatures More Than 110 Degrees

Severe Thunderstorms Possible Through Friday Bringing Damaging Winds and Power Outages

State Parks Extend Hours at More Than 40 Swimming and Cooling Locations; Find Local Cooling Centers

Employers and Outdoor Workers Should Utilize Extreme Heat Best Practices

Department of Public Service Monitoring Utility Preparedness; 5,500 Utility Workers Available To Assess, Respond, Repair and Restore Power

New Yorkers Can Sign Up for Weather and Emergency Alerts by Texting 333111

Governor Hochul today updated New Yorkers on extreme heat that is forecasted to impact the state through the July 4th holiday and urged continued caution as prolonged heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses. Today and Thursday could bring the hottest days of the year with ‘feels-like’ temperatures reaching 100 degrees statewide and some areas reaching up to 110 degrees. There is also a risk for severe thunderstorms for most of the state today through Friday with storms bringing damaging winds and the potential to cause power outages. Overnight temps will remain over 70 degrees in most places. Friday and Saturday are expected to be cooler but still extremely hot, particularly areas downstate where peak temperatures will be more than 100 degrees. The extreme heat is expected to break Sunday, but temperature will still be above average into early next week. Extreme Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories remain in effect through Friday evening statewide.

“New York is no stranger to summer heat, but extreme temperatures require more preparedness and extra caution,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers: Stay hydrated, limit your time outdoors, check on your neighbors and know where your local cooling center is if you need one. This heat can be deadly and it is crucial that we take care of ourselves and others.”

Extreme heat is dangerous and is the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the United States. The most common heat-related illnesses are heat stroke (sun stroke), heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash. Learn more about heat-related illness, including signs and symptoms and when to take action on the State Health Department’s extreme heat advice webpage.

Extreme heat often coincides with increased ozone pollution. People with lung conditions (like asthma), young children, teenagers, older adults and anyone who exercises or works outside should try to limit outdoor activity when ozone levels are high (usually in the afternoon to early evening). If you have symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing, you should talk to your doctor.

Tips to stay safe in extreme heat:

• Stay hydrated
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Seek air conditioning or shade
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activity, especially during the hottest hours of the day.
• Check in on older family members and neighbors
• Seek immediate medical attention if experiencing any symptoms of heat-related illnesses

New Yorkers should closely monitor their local forecasts and look for updates issued by the National Weather Service. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website. New Yorkers should also ensure that government emergency alerts are enabled on their mobile phones. They should also sign up for real-time weather and emergency alerts that will be texted to their phones by texting their county or borough name to 333111.

New Yorkers can also stay cool by utilizing nearby cooling centers. Find a cooling center near you on the State Department of Health website. Residents of New York City can find cooling center information. Certain State Park swimming facilities will also extend their hours through Friday.

Safety Tips for Children

• Never leave a child in an unattended vehicle in warm weather or direct sunlight, not even with the windows slightly open or down, due to the risk of heatstroke (hyperthermia).
• If you see an unattended child in a car on a warm or sunny day, or an unattended child who seems distressed or unresponsive, call 911 right away and follow their instructions. Emergency personnel are trained to respond.
• Teach children not to play in or around vehicles and to alert an adult when a friend is playing in a vehicle without supervision. Make sure children understand the dangers of trunk entrapment (suffocation, heatstroke, etc.).
• Place something you need, like keys, a purse or bag, or your cell phone next to your child's car seat so you will remember to check the back seat before you lock the car. Alternatively, place a stuffed toy in your child’s car seat when not in use and move the toy to the front passenger seat when your child is in his/her car seat as a reminder that your child is in the vehicle.
• Use drive-through services whenever possible while driving with a child in a vehicle.

• It is vital to recognize the symptoms of heatstroke in children. Symptoms include absence of sweat, confusion, disorientation, flushed skin, loss of alertness, unconsciousness or rapid/shallow breathing.

Safety Tips for Pets

• Never leave a pet unattended in the car in warm weather or direct sunlight. Like children, dogs and other animals have a harder time staying cool, leaving them extremely vulnerable to heatstroke.
• A car can overheat even when the window has been left cracked an inch or two. Parking in the shade or leaving water in the vehicle won’t prevent your pet from overheating.
• According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), young, overweight or senior animals or those with short muzzles or thick or dark coats are most at risk for overheating.
• If you see a pet unattended in a car on a warm or sunny day, or that appears to be distressed, call 911 immediately.
• Recognize the symptoms of heatstroke in pets and take action if you see them. Symptoms include restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, lethargy and lack of appetite or coordination.

Extended Hours at State Parks

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has extended hours at state swimming and cooling facilities and other state parks during the current heat wave to help New Yorkers beat the heat. Swimming availability may be affected by hazardous weather, changing water conditions or staffing. Please check State Parks’ website or call the park you wish to visit directly to confirm availability.

The following State Park swimming facilities will be open for extended hours:

Capital Region

• Grafton Lakes State Park: Monday, June 26 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saratoga Spa State Park: Peerless Pool & Victoria Pool: Tuesday, June 30 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Thompsons Lake Campground: Monday, June 26 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Moreau Lake State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday July 2 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Lake Taghkanic State Park: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Copake Falls: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Central New York

• Cayuga Lake State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Selkirk Shores State Park: Monday, June 29 through Friday, July 3 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Fair Haven Beach State Park: Monday, June 29 through Friday, July 3 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Green Lakes State Park: Tuesday, June 30 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Fillmore Glen State Park: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Finger Lakes

• Seneca Lake State Park Spray Pad: Tuesday, June 30 through Friday, July 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
• Letchworth State Park (North Pool): Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Darien Lakes State Park: Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Hamlin Beach State Park: Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Hudson Valley

• High Tor State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Rockland Lake State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Lake Minnewaska State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 10:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
• Lake Awosting/Minnewaska State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Lake Welch/Harriman State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
• Lake Tiorati/Harriman State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park Pool: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Fahnestock State Park: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Long Island

• Jones Beach – Field 6, Central Mall, Field 2: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Jones Beach – West Bathhouse: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Robert Moses State Park – Fields 2, 3, and 5: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sunken Meadow State Park – Main Beach: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Hither Hills State Park: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Wildwood State Park: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Mohawk Valley

• Delta Lake State Park: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Minekill State Park: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

New York City

• Gantry Plaza State Park spraypad: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. indoor and outdoor pool) (9 a.m. to 11 a.m. senior swim) (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. recreational swim all ages) (3 p.m. to 7 p.m. recreational swim all ages); Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3

North Country

• Southwick Beach State Park: Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Westcott Beach State Park: Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Robert Moses State Park (Massena, NY): Monday, June 29 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Pointe Au Roche State Park: Monday, June 29 and Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Southern Tier

• Chenango Valley State Park, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Splash Pad from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 30 through Friday, July 3
• Taughannock Falls State Park: Tuesday, June 30 through Friday, July 3 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Buttermilk Falls State Park: Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Robert H Treman State Park: Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Western New York

• Allegany State Park - Red House Lake Beach and Quaker Lake Beach: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Fort Niagara State Park: Tuesday, June 30 through Thursday, July 2 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Long Point on Lake Chautauqua State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Woodlawn Beach State Park: Wednesday, July 1 through Thursday, July 2 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Beaver Island State Park: Wednesday, July 1 through Thursday, July 2 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.