Oppressive Heat Wave Continues Across Tri-State Area
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Around the Tri-State Area, officials are advising residents to drink plenty of water and stay cool as the heat wave continues.
A heat advisory remains in effect until 8 p.m. Friday for all of New York City, Westchester and Rockland counties, and parts of Connecticut.
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In New Jersey, an excessive heat warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday for Mercer, Gloucester, Camden and northwest
Burlington counties.
Forecasters say daytime temperatures in the mid to upper 90s combined with humidity to make it feel like 105 to 110 degrees. The heat index will be at its highest level between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. through Saturday.
The very young and the very old are likely to feel the heat more than others, but doctors say it's important for everyone to stay hydrated.
Oppressive Heat Wave Continues Across Tri-State Area
"Water is really the best. Drink enough water during the day to replace the sweat that you sweated out during these heat waves," said Dr. Ernest Patti from St. Barnabas hospital.
Robert Lopez is among the thousands of New Yorkers powering through the blistering heat wave, loading and unloading his truck and guzzling water.
"I use the hat, I use the sunglasses," he said.
Luckily, New Yorkers are never far from a world class way to cool off.
A frothy cold Greek iced coffee called a "frappe" is the hottest seller at Omonia Cafe in Astoria. Yanni Karapetridis told CBS 2's Tony Aiello they'll whip up 400 frappes a day during a heat wave.
"Some people want it strong, some people want it regular, some people want it very light. But everyone wants it cold," Karapetridis said.
At Sley Deli in Borough Park, Mexican ice pops called "Paletas" are sweet heat relief -- on a stick – in a rainbow of flavors from mild to wild.
In Chinatown, Aiello spotted a woman cooling off with milk right from a coconut, but Jill Wong had a different suggestion -- bubble tea, a cool brew that's given a good shake with ice and then poured over gooey pearls of tapioca, which definitely take you by surprise the first time you sip one up, Aiello reported.
Officials say you should try to avoid strenuous activity during the hottest times of the day, wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and drink plenty of water.
"Well, actually, try not to exercise in this heat. Try to exercise indoors where it's cooler, of course, and if you really want to exercise outdoors, it's probably best recommended to do it in the early morning hours when the sun has yet to give us this wonderful heat and humidity," Dr. Heidi Cordi of New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia told CBS 2's Dr. Max Gomez.
If you are going to exercise during peak heat hours the most important thing is to stay well hydrated. And contrary to popular opinion, you don't need sport drinks. They won't do any harm but experts say plain water is all you really need, Gomez reported.
If you must go outside, wear sunscreen and a hat to protect your face and head.
Beating The Heat At Jones Beach
Never leave children, pets or those who require special care in a parked car or vehicle – temperatures inside a closed car can reach over 140 degrees quickly and exposure to high temperatures can kill within minutes.
Be sure to check on your neighbors, especially if they are elderly, have young children or have special needs and make sure there is enough water and food for pets and limit their exercise.
POWER COMPANIES CONTINUE TO URGE CONSERVATION
The operators of the New England power grid have asked for voluntary conservation.
With demand not expected to peak for another day, officials with ISO New England said they were carefully monitoring the situation.
ISO New England spokesperson Ellen Foley says in a heat wave like this one, demand keeps building day by day.
New England Power Grid Expecting Peak Use On Thursday
"Right now, we're looking to hit our peak for the week and it would be the peak for the year this Thursday," Foley told WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau.
The all-time record for demand was in 2006 when power use hit just over 28,000 megawatts, Schneidau reported.
Voluntary conservation is the first step, but Foley said if demand continues to run high, control room operators could cut the voltage.
That only happens, Foley said, when surplus runs to zero. Before that action would take effect, an urgent appeal would go out to customers to cut back their power use.
Con Edison has activated its 24/7 command center to keep the power flowing through the five boroughs and Westchester County.
PSE&G and LIPA said they have extra workers on hand to handle any power outages that may occur.
All area utilities have asked customers to conserve energy where possible.
The National Weather Service says relief in the form of showers and thunderstorms is expected later Saturday. Cooler temperatures are expected to arrive on Sunday.
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