Cooling centers open across Northeast as heat takes grip
Dozens of local governments have opened cooling centers, as health officials from Maine to Michigan to Delaware advise people to take aggressive actions to combat the heat wave that is just settling in for the week across much of the Northeastern U.S.
Temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s every day until Friday in places like New York City, Boston, Wilmington, Washington, D.C., and even as far west as Detroit.
Officials say drinking plenty of water and spending a lot of time out of the sun is the least people can do to prepare for the weather.
New England's power grid operator is asking customers to conserve electricity during the heat wave.
ISO-New England on Tuesday asked for voluntary conservation. It said power is adequate, but supplies are likely to become tight.
The sweltering temperatures Tuesday forced the IRS office in Dayton, Ohio, to close after experiencing air-conditioning issues.
And just as the heat takes it grip, a few untimely disasters hit locals up and down the East Coast.
In Westchester County in New York, locals battling the heat got some bad news when some beaches were closed as a precaution after sewage leaked into the Long Island Sound.
County health officials issued an advisory urging all recreational boaters and swimmers in Rye Harbor, Milton Harbor and Greenhaven in Rye and in Mamaroneck Harbor to avoid Long Island Sound until further notice. Swimming is barred at Beach Point Club, Orienta Beach Club, Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club. Also Shore Acres Pointe and Harbor Island Park Beach, American Yacht Club, Shenorock Shore Club, Coveleight Club and Greenhaven Association.
In southern Maryland in Prince George's, a water main failure could cause thousands to lose running water just as the extreme weather takes hold. Officials pleaded with locals to check on their elderly and infirm neighbors.
