Stay Cool, It’s a Scorcher Out There

The first heat wave of the summer continues today with temperatures expected to hit triple digits. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory that will remain in effect until 7 p.m. The forecast calls for temperatures between 95 and 100 degrees, with increasing humidity levels pushing the heat index to a high of 104 degrees this afternoon.

According to Sandy Young of the Garden City Recreation Department, the Garden City Pool will be open today until 11 p.m. Further, the St. Paul's Senior Center at the cottages on Rockaway Avenue is open Monday through Friday throughout the summer until 4 p.m. Senior village residents aged 60 and up are invited to come and enjoy for relaxation and quiet activity.

Inspector Kenneth Jackson reports the police department has not received any heat-related calls so far Tuesday while Lt. Frank Roca of the Garden City Fire Department reports that firefighters provided a generator for a person on life support due to a power outage on Laurel Street Tuesday evening and responded to an automatic alarm "most likely set off due to the high heat" in the attic of a Brixton Road residence, wires arcing on Washington Avenue and a seized air conditioning motor on Kensington Road.

Further, residents are reminded that village watering restrictions are in effect. Hours are from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Odd-numbered house addresses should water on odd-numbered days and even-numbered addresses on even-numbered days. Be sure that sprinkler timers are adjusted for the correct dates and times. 

Though Public Works director Robert Mangan states that no further restrictions are in effect at this time, Mayor Robert Rothschild is asking residents to "voluntarily reduce outdoor water usage" until it rains.

"The continued heat and lack of rain has resulted in an extraordinary demand for water service. In order to avoid more serious problems that would hinder our ability to provide water for fire protection and other essential services, we are calling on our residents to voluntarily reduce outdoor water usage such as lawn watering and car washing or similar non-essential water usage until we get rain," he said.

Nassau County executive Ed Mangano announced that four of the county's outdoor pools will remain open an extra hour today and county cooling centers in North Massapequa (North Massapequa Community Center, 214 N. Albany Avenue) and Rockville Centre (Sandell Senior Center, 50 South Park Avenue) will remain open until 9 p.m. this evening.

"The combination of heat and humidity can become unbearable and dangerous for many of our residents, and the county is doing all it can to provide some relief," says Mangano. "In addition to the cooling centers, four of the county's outdoor pools will stay open today for an extra hour. I encourage everyone to take precautions to stay as cool as possible."

With the one-hour extension, the pools at Cantiague and Christopher Morley parks will be open until 7 p.m.; at Wantagh Park until 7:45 p.m.; and at North Woodmere until 8 p.m.

Extreme temperatures combined with humidity could become dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. The Nassau County Department of Health offers the following tips for residents to protect themselves and others:

• check on relatives and friends, especially the elderly
• increase time spent in an air-conditioned environment
• increase non-alcoholic fluid in-take
• take cool baths
• eat light but nutritious foods
• avoid the sun at the hottest times of the day
• wear a hat and light, loose-fitting clothing

Those especially at risk, including infants, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, should refrain from physical activity, avoid being alone, keep their sleeping area well ventilated and avoid falling asleep in a hot room.

Long Island Power Authority officials are warning that the excessive heat and high electric demand could cause some scattered power outages. To report an outage, call (800) 490-0075 or (631) 755-6900.