Village Of Hastings-On-Hudson: Excessive Heat Warning Remains In Effect From August 12

Press release from the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson:

August 12, 2021

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING.

EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...For the Excessive Heat Warning, dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 107 expected. For the Excessive Heat Watch, dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 105 possible.
* WHERE...Portions of southern Connecticut and southeast New York.
* WHEN...For the Excessive Heat Warning, from 11 AM this morning to 8 PM EDT this evening. For the Excessive Heat Watch, from Friday afternoon through Friday evening.
* IMPACTS...Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The highest heat index values will occur in the late afternoon to early evening hours each day.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... An Excessive Heat Warning is issued when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it is 105 degrees or greater. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible, and drink plenty of water. Seniors and those with chronic health problems or mental health conditions are at increased risk. Homes without air conditioning can be much hotter than outdoors. Use air conditioning to stay cool at home or go to a place that has air conditioning. Check on vulnerable friends, family members and neighbors. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! In cases of heat stroke call 9 1 1.

THE JAMES HARMON COMMUNITY CENTER AT 44 MAIN STREET WILL BE OPEN AS A COOLING CENTER DURING ITS OPERATIONAL HOURS. (M-F 9AM-4:30PM, Thu 9AM-8PM, Fri 9AM-1PM) YOU MUST WEAR A MASK OR ONE WILL BE PROVIDED FOR YOU!
Anyone may come and cool down as well as use the free Wi-Fi "HOH-WIFI"

DURING THE HEAT WAVE CHEMKA POOL WILL OFFER GUEST FEES PRICES TO RESIDENTS WHO NEED TO COOL OFF. $10 FOR ADULTS AND 5$ UNDER 18 & OVER 62
There is also free Wi-Fi "HOH-WIFI" at the Pool

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY, AUGUST 12,2021 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation`s Air Quality Health Advisory for the following counties: New York, Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Westchester, and Rockland, remains in effect until 11 PM EDT this evening. There is also an Air Quality Health Advisory that has been issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in effect from 11 AM to 11 PM EDT Thursday for these same areas. Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 100 for the pollutant of Ground Level Ozone . The Air Quality Index, or AQI, was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale. The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern. When pollution levels are elevated, the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, and those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease. Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician. A toll free air quality hotline has been established so New York residents can stay informed on the air quality situation. The toll free number is 1 800 5 3 5, 1 3 4 5.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a list of warning signs and symptoms of heat illness, and recommended first aid steps. Some of these symptoms and steps are listed below.

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness, and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.

• Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in legs and abdomen and Heavy sweating.
• First Aid: Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving water. Seek immediate medical attention if cramps last longer than 1 hour.

Heat Exhaustion

• Symptoms: Heavy sweating, Weakness or tiredness, cool, pale, clammy skin; fast, weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache, fainting,
• First Aid: Move person to a cooler environment, preferably a well air conditioned room. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths or have person sit in a cool bath. Offer sips of water. If person vomits more than once, Seek immediate medical attention if the person vomits, symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour

Heat Stroke

• Symptoms: Throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperature above 103°F, hot, red, dry or damp skin, rapid and strong pulse, fainting, loss of consciousness.
• First Aid: Call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal. Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment. Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or bath. Use fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s. A fan can make you hotter at higher temperatures. Do NOT give fluids.

Using a fan to blow air in someone’s direction may actually make them hotter if heat index temperatures are above the 90s. For more information on all of these heat related illnesses, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) site.

Westchester County Health Department Issues Heat Advisory

A heat wave is expected to hit Westchester County Tuesday through Friday, with heat indices ranging from the mid-90s to 105, and humidity making it feel even hotter than the thermometer reads. These heat wave conditions could last into Saturday. With such high temperatures expected, the Westchester County Health Department is issuing a heat advisory. As humidity and temperatures rise, residents should avoid strenuous activity, drink lots of water, avoid alcohol and caffeine and cool off to prevent heat-related illness.

Heat stroke is a serious and life-threatening condition that claims many lives nationwide each year. Symptoms include hot red, dry skin, shallow breathing, a rapid, weak pulse and confusion. Anyone suffering from heat stroke needs to receive emergency medical treatment immediately. Call 911 if you suspect heat stroke and immediately cool the overheated person while waiting for emergency help to arrive.

Never leave children, pets or people alone in a car. Temperatures can quickly rise to unsafe levels, so motorists should always look before they lock their vehicles.

Another concern during a heat wave is heat exhaustion. Seniors, young children, people who are overweight or who have high blood pressure, people who work outside or in other hot environments are most at risk. Frequent breaks and drinking lots of water can help prevent heat exhaustion. Signs include headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness and exhaustion, as well as cool, moist, pale or flushed skin. Anyone suffering from heat exhaustion should move out of the sun and apply cool, wet cloths to their skin.

Those who plan to travel by car should prepare their vehicle before hitting the road. Always travel with a spare battery, and avoid leaving radios, phone chargers and other accessories running when the engine is not.

Check to make sure your air conditioning is properly functioning and coolant is at the proper level.

If you plan to travel in less populated areas, bring water and an umbrella for shade if it becomes necessary to leave the car. Always keep air flowing throughout the vehicle, and try to park in the shade.

Residents who need a place to cool off can go to an indoor mall. Senior centers, libraries and community centers often serve as cooling centers, but call before you go.

Elevated heat and humidity can also lead to unhealthy levels of ozone, a gas produced by the action of sunlight on organic air contaminants from auto exhaust and other sources. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forecasts daily ozone conditions at (http://www.dec.ny.gov), or call the New York State Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-535-1345.

For tips to prevent heat-related illness and places to stay cool, residents can visit the Health Department website at www.westchestergov.com/health.

The County’s Department of Emergency Services is monitoring the weather forecast, tracking the opening of local Cooling Centers and is in contact with Con Edison and NYSEG concerning the potential for power outages.

If you lose power, call Con Edison or NYS Electric and Gas directly. The phone numbers are: Con Ed power outage or gas and electrical service problems: (800) 75-CONED

Weather Forecast

Today - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 105. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight - A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Friday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 104. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night - A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. West wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday - A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday Night - A 30 percent chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Sunday - Partly sunny, with a high near 80.

This press release was produced by the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson. The views expressed here are the author’s own.