Mamdani administration launches never-before-used COOL vans and expanded pop-up cooling stations for outdoor workers
City will activate hundreds of cooling centers across all five boroughs on Wednesday and intensify outreach to vulnerable neighbors
More than 2,200 LinkNYC kiosks will display real-time walking directions to the nearest cooling center within a 10-minute walk
Extreme heat indices will begin Wednesday, peak as high as 109 degrees on Friday and continue into weekend
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today activated an unprecedented, historic Heat Emergency Plan, launching a coordinated, proactive interagency response across all five boroughs to ready New Yorkers for historically high heat indices that will begin Wednesday, peak around 109 degrees and continue into the holiday weekend.
Under the City’s Heat Emergency Plan, the City is taking expansive action to activate hundreds of cooling centers and cool options, intensify outreach and support to vulnerable New Yorkers such as the homeless and older adults and ready New Yorkers for the heat.
THE ADMINISTRATION IS LAUNCHING NEW INITIATIVES TO MEET THIS MOMENT:
- Cooling Outreach On-Location (COOL) vans, operated by NYC Health + Hospitals, will provide mobile cooling resources directed to our most vulnerable New Yorkers. The vans provide wellness checks, medical care, water and other supplies such as electrolytes and sunscreen, as well as transport to cooling centers or healthcare facilities. COOL vans will also be dispatched to perform in-home wellness checks on older adults. More than a dozen vans will be operational Wednesday.
- The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will operate Health Action Centers and Overdose Prevention Centers as cooling centers.
- DOHMH will expand pop-up cooling stations through partnerships with community-based organizations with cold water, misting fans and cooling towels for outdoor workers including street vendors, deliveristas and day laborers working in the heat.
- More than 2,200 LinkNYC Kiosks will display real-time walking directions to the nearest cooling center — a new initiative created by the Mamdani administration.
- The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will message all of its licensees — about 45,000 businesses across 45 different business categories— encouraging heat illness plans, warning about the dangers of extreme heat and signs of heat exhaustion and reminding employees that they can use Protected Time Off for heat-related emergencies.
Daytime temperatures are forecast to climb into the upper 90s and nearing 100 degrees beginning Wednesday, with heat index values ranging from 100 to 105 degrees. By Thursday, daytime temperatures are expected to be around 100 degrees with heat index values between 103 to 108 degrees. Triple-digit heat index values are expected to persist through Saturday, July 4. If the forecast holds, Thursday would be the first 100-degree day recorded in Central Park since July 18, 2012.
“We’re staring down what could be the second hottest day in New York City history in over a decade — and City government is taking historic measures to keep all New Yorkers indoors, cool and safe,” said Mayor Mamdani. “But we need every New Yorker to take this deadly heat seriously. Stay inside, look out for your neighbors, drink plenty of water and watch out for signs of heat exhaustion such as confusion, nausea and trouble breathing. Last but not least, sign up for Notify NYC by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 so you can stay up to date with the latest weather and information.”
“Heat is a silent killer, which is why New York City is activating our Heat Emergency Plan to protect New Yorkers during what is expected to be one of the most significant heat events our city has experienced in years,” said NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell. “The City has been preparing, and beginning Wednesday, hundreds of cooling centers will be open across all five boroughs so everyone has access to a cool, safe place. Our outreach teams are ready, and we urge every New Yorker to take this heat seriously, check on neighbors and loved ones and know where to go if they need relief.”
Heat Emergency Plan
Under the Heat Emergency Plan, the City will activate hundreds of cooling centers beginning Wednesday; expand outreach to residents at highest risk; increase public information efforts such as PSAs, radio interviews and TV interviews; strengthen coordination with healthcare providers, community organizations and utilities; and monitor health impacts in real time. With the high temperatures and humidity leading to chances of thunderstorms throughout the week, the City has also activated the Flash Flood Plan, clearing catch basins citywide, inspecting flood-prone neighborhoods and readying response teams to any changing conditions.
In New York City, most heat-related deaths occur after prolonged exposure to heat indoors without air conditioning. Air conditioning remains the most effective way to stay safe during extreme heat, though many New Yorkers at highest risk may not have access to or use air conditioning.
On Wednesday, the City will activate hundreds of free cooling centers at public hospitals, libraries, older adult centers and other public locations across all five boroughs. In response to the historic, sustained heat and holiday weekend, New York City Public Schools and other City buildings will be opened as cooling centers. The Javits Center and NYCEM Headquarters will be converted to cooling centers from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 3 through July 5. For the first time, DOHMH will operate Health Action Centers and Overdose Prevention Centers as cooling centers.
New Yorkers can find a nearby cooling center, including accessible and pet-friendly locations, by visiting the City’s Cool Options Map or calling 311. More than 2,200 LinkNYC kiosks will display real-time walking directions to the nearest cooling center within a 10-minute walk beginning Wednesday – a new initiative created by the Mamdani Administration. The City also offers outdoor cooling resources, including spray showers and drinking fountains, through Cool It! NYC.
NYC Health + Hospitals will launch Cooling Outreach On-Location (COOL) vans, which consist of 15 van-based vendor teams with a Registered Nurse or Nurse Practitioner. Teams will deliver critical supplies (water, electrolytes, sunscreen, cooling towels, meals/snacks) and conduct clinical wellness checks for hyperthermia, heat stroke, etc. Vans serve as mobile cooling units and can transport clients to cooling centers or healthcare facilities.
NYC Health + Hospitals will also launch COOL In-Home Wellness Checks, in-home teams that focus on engaging NYC Aging clients. These mobile units will be dispatched to check on older adults in their homes to identify needs for heat relief. These teams will be staffed with trained medical staff, including paramedics and nurse practitioners.
DCWP will message all of its licensees — about 46,000 businesses across 46 different industries — encouraging heat illness plans, warning about the dangers of extreme heat and signs of heat exhaustion and directing businesses to City resources.
DOHMH will expand pop-up cooling stations across all five boroughs, a multiagency project to deploy outdoor relief sites that will operate on days when heat advisories are issued, in partnership with community organizations. Each site will offer misting fans, cold water, cooling towels and health resources. The stations focus on outdoor workers, particularly street vendors, deliveristas and day laborers.
The Department of Homeless Services will operate Code Red outreach from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. during all heat advisory days. This ensures all unsheltered homeless vulnerable clients receive outreach from DHS teams. Outreach teams also distribute water and other essential supplies. Anyone who sees a person experiencing homelessness who may need assistance is encouraged to call 311.
In addition, City Hall will communicate with major hospital systems and health insurers to advise messaging systemwide to their patients on cooling centers and urge them to shift visits to virtual care where appropriate.
Public beaches are free and open daily with lifeguards on duty between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Swimming in restricted areas or when a lifeguard is not on duty is prohibited and very dangerous. The City’s outdoor pools are free and open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. During the heat emergency, Olympic- and intermediate-sized pools will be open for an additional hour to 8 p.m.
Adults 18 and older can obtain a free City-approved spray cap from their local firehouse (with valid ID) to turn fire hydrants into sprinklers.
New Yorkers are urged to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak heat hours and seek air-conditioned spaces whenever possible. Residents should check on vulnerable neighbors — especially older adults, people with disabilities and people with chronic illnesses — and loved ones, recognize the warning signs of heat illness and help others who may be at greater risk. Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know has hot dry skin, trouble breathing, rapid heartbeat, confusion, disorientation, dizziness, nausea or vomiting. Never leave children, adults or pets in cars.
Stay informed by signing up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program, by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 and visiting nyc.gov/beattheheat f
