New York City has activated a coordinated Heat Emergency Plan across all five boroughs in anticipation of a significant heatwave expected to bring dangerous "feels-like" temperatures as high as 110 degrees Fahrenheit, particularly over the Fourth of July weekend.
Mayor Mamdani announced the activation of the plan, which includes opening hundreds of cooling centers and deploying new Cooling Outreach On-Location (COOL) vans. These vans will provide wellness checks, medical assistance, water, electrolyte replenishment, and sunscreen. They will also be directed to conduct in-home wellness checks for older adults.
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will operate Health Action Centers and Overdose Prevention Centers as cooling centers. Additionally, pop-up cooling stations will be established through partnerships with community organizations. Street laborers will receive cooling towels to help mitigate the heat.
To aid residents in locating relief, 2,200 LinkNYC Kiosks will display real-time walking directions to the nearest cooling centers. Cooling centers will be available in various public locations, including hospitals, libraries, and senior centers. The Javits Center and NYCEM Headquarters are also being converted into cooling centers, operating from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Many New Yorkers, particularly those in older buildings without air conditioning, rely on cooling centers during extreme heat. Last summer, more than 50 cooling centers were operational across the city. Some residents have noted that New York Public Library locations offer useful amenities like charging stations and printing services.
Dedicated cooling centers for older adults are available at senior centers and luncheon clubs. These facilities are specifically designed to support vulnerable populations, including those with chronic health conditions or on medication that may increase susceptibility to heat-related illnesses. The Star Senior Center in Washington Heights, for example, expanded its hours last summer and used various communication channels to inform seniors about its services.
Residents seeking the closest cooling center can call 311 for information. The New York Public Library website also lists its cooling center locations, and further details can be found on the DOH website. The New York City Emergency Management department maintains a map of cooling centers that is updated during declared heat emergencies.
The city has utilized cooling centers since the late 1990s, often relying on existing public spaces and community-familiar locations due to funding constraints. The reliance on volunteer spaces or pre-existing facilities means that centers may not always be equipped to handle large influxes of people, potentially leading to shortages in seating or staffing. Concerns about power outages at smaller, volunteer-run sites during extreme weather also persist, as not all utilize backup generators.
Accessibility and operating hours remain key challenges for residents trying to access cooling centers. The city emphasizes that utilizing online resources and calling 311 can help New Yorkers find the most suitable cooling options available to them during the heatwave.