New York City under Excessive Heat Warning as feels-like temps climb above 100
NEW YORK -- New York City and parts of New Jersey are under an excessive heat warning as forecasters expect feels-like temperatures of more than 100 degrees for the next few days.
The city is expecting its heat index levels to reach 105 degrees Thursday and up to 108 degrees Friday.
CBS New York's Doug Williams checked in with people at the 115th Street Library, which is used as a cooling center. It's among the hundreds of places now open across the five boroughs to cool off.
New York City's commissioner of emergency management, Zach Iscol, talked to CBS New York about the unique challenges a heatwave like this can present in the city.
"It is one of the most deadly events that we face. We lose about 370 New Yorkers a year to heat-related illnesses," he said. "We monitor EMS call times and volume to make sure that we're responding, not getting overwhelmed ... These are all things that have happened in the past, but not with such regularity, and so it's definitely a new normal that we as a city need to be sure we're prepared for."
Residents can call 311 to find the nearest cooling center location.
Watch: Mayor Adams briefs New Yorkers on heat warning
Mayor Eric Adams and other city leaders held a briefing early Thursday morning to update New Yorkers on the heat warning.
"Heat kills more New Yorkers every year than any other kind of extreme weather event," Adams said. "Access to cooling is a matter of life and death."
Public pools are also staying open an extra hour until 8 p.m. Thursday.
Also open was a neighborhood fire hydrant on 112th Street where, with the help of the fire department, Harlem resident Mike Bonano created a fun place for kids to cool off.
"Well, today's weather gonna be very hot, so definitely, yeah. Got the school across the street, got the kids from the local neighborhood. They're definitely coming," he said. "Just something we grew up with as kids here in Spanish Harlem."
Another man in Harlem was staying cool with a street-side carwash.
"Turn the water on, washing cars, that's it, man. Stay cool, drink a lot of water," he said.
"During these heat waves, cardiovascular events increase three-fold. That's heart attacks and strokes," CBS New York's Dr. Nidhi Kumar explained. "So vulnerable populations, if you are on blood pressure medication, if you are elderly, you really want to avoid being outside."
Officials urge New Yorkers to use their air conditioning, saying the sweet spot on the thermostat is 78 degrees. That number keeps you cool and comfortable without using an unnecessary amount of energy, as outages are already a concern.
"We do expect to have some increased amount of outages," Con Edison President Matt Ketschke said. "We've staffed our emergency response center for Con Ed through the weekend."
Watch: On Call with Dr. Kumar talks heat risks
The mayor is also calling for an overhaul of the Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps low income New Yorkers purchase and pay for the extra power needed to run air conditioners.
"Up to 25% of New Yorkers in some low income neighborhoods don't have access to an air conditioner, let alone the money to turn those air conditioners on," he said. "We need the federal government to fund this program, so low income New Yorkers can pay their utility bills this summer."
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