Residents Beat Record High Temperatures

The excessive heat all over the East Coast sparked heat and air advisories, as well as peak energy demand concerns. Temperatures reached a record-breaking 101 degrees in Yorktown, according to Weather.com. While most people moved inside to air-conditioned rooms to keep cool, some preferred to be outside. Others had no choice but to endure a long day working in the heat.

The National Weather Service had issued several warnings about the heat and air quality, which are in effect until 11 p.m. Wednesday, June 7.

"The New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects," according to a release. "People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or hearts disease."

But some residents preferred to be outside and the excessive heat did not prevent them from taking part in activities they enjoyed.

Seven-year-old Akanni Ward said his favorite part about summer is being able to go bike riding. He and his parents, Janice and Jerry Ward, took a ride along the North County Trailway, which passes through Yorktown.

"Drink as much water as possible," Janice Ward advised. "You have to have enough hydration."

Sam Ledo, of Peekskill, and Willie Herrero, of Manhattan, also enjoyed a quiet bike ride along the Trailway and made sure they drank plenty of water during their 60-mile trip from Elmsford to Carmel and back.

"This is one of the best places to be on a hot day like this," said Ledo, referring to the Trailway, 80 percent of which is covered with shade.

Biking through Yorktown, all the way from Saint-Etienne, France, were Jeremy Rousset, 26, and girlfriend Charlene Jacquemond, 23. They are traveling from Manhattan to Quebec for work. How they plan on getting there: Biking. They had been settin up a tent site along the way and expect to reach their destination in the next two weeks. They beat the heat by stopping and cooling off in shady places.

"Water, water, water," Rousset stressed of another important factor to beat the heat.

Highway Department Superintendent, Eric DiBartolo, said he pulled all of his 31 employees off the roads on June 6 from 10:55 a.m. to 3 p.m. and would do the same today.

"I don't want to see anybody go down with a heat stroke," he said. "It it's too hot for me, it's hot for them. That's how I judge it."

For the past 15 years, if temperatures go over 90 degrees, he places the call, so that his men and women are not exposed directly to the heat. Instead they drive around inspecting the roads in their air-conditioned vehicles.

Beating the heat were the men from the New York State Electric and Gas working on an overloaded transformer at the United Methodist Church in Yorktown Heights.

"It's been very hot," Eddy Buhler said. "But we're used to the heat. We try to work as quickly as possible."

Although the heat was "brutal," Cliff Nilsson said they had to do what was needed in order to get the job done.

Marisa Morabito and her two daughters, Ava, 5, and Ciara, 8, beat the heat by drinking liquids and getting a chocolate ice-cream sundae. She said they limit outdoor activities, but their pool helps to keeps them cool.