A surfer rides a wave in Long Beach on a recent afternoon (Joseph Abate)
The intense heat will continue to plague Long Islanders Thursday, prompting more heat advisories and an air quality alert.
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A high of 97 degrees is expected for parts of the Island, but the National Weather Service warned that heat index values could make the temperature feel even hotter. A heat advisory will be in effect until 7 p.m. and is issued when the combination of heat and humidity makes it feel like it is 100 to 104 degrees for two consecutive hours.
The NWS said that the highest heat indexes will be in the afternoon. They advise residents to take extra precautions if they are spending an extended amount of time outside, and to reschedule strenuous activities to the early morning or evening when possible. People should know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, wear light, loose fitting clothing and drink plenty of water.
An air quality alert is in effect again as well, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday. Air quality levels are expected to be greater than 100 on the Air Quality Index scale. The AQI measures the levels for different pollutants. Those especially sensitive to ground pollutants include the very young, the elderly and those with pre-existing heart and respiratory conditions. The New York State Department of Health advises residents to limit strenuous outdoor physical activity.
Cooling centers have opened throughout Long Island. Here is a list of some:
- Brookhaven Gym at Suffolk Community College (SCCC) Ammerman Campus, 533 College Road, Selden, NY (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Health Sports and Education Center at SCCC Grant Campus, 1001 Crooked Hill Road, Brentwood, NY (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Peconic Building SCCC East Campus, 121 Speonk-Riverhead Road, Riverhead, NY (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- The Leonard S. Sandel Senior Center, 50 South Park Avenue, Rockville Centre (516) 678-9350 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- The Anderson Recreation Center, 111 Oceanside Road, Rockville Centre (516) 678-9238 ( 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Freeport Recreation Center, 130 E. Merrick Rd, Freeport, (516) 377-2314 (6:15am-10pm)
- William P. Bennett Hicksville Community Center, 28 Carl Street, Hicksville (516) 797-7900 (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Manorhaven Beach Park, Manorhaven Boulevard, Manorhaven (516) 869-6311 (10 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
- Clinton G. Martin Park, Marcus Avenue & New Hyde Park Rd., New Hyde Park (516) 869-6311 (10 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
- Tully Park, 1801 Evergreen Ave, New Hyde Park, (516) 869-6311 (10a.m. – 8 p.m.)
- Charles J. Fuschillo Park, Carle Road at Broadmoor Lane, Carle Place (516) 869-6311 (10 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
- Freeport Salvation Army, 66 Church Street, Freeport (9 a.m. – 4:30p.m.)
- Brentwood Senior Center, 16 Second Ave. Brentwood (normal business hours)
- Clayton Street Senior Center, 555 Clayton Street, Central Islip (normal business hours)
- West Islip Senior Center, 90 Higbie Lane, West Islip (normal business hours)
The MTA issued a statement saying that it is preparing for the extreme heat and any threat of disruptions to services it may bring. Severe heat can affect subway and train signals and overhead power lines.
Elevator and escalator service may also be reduced to cut energy consumption. The MTA urges customers to monitor the “Current Service Status” box on the MTA homepage and plan trips accordingly.
Suffolk County officials extended Smith Point County Park lifeguard hours to 7 p.m. from the usual 5:30 p.m. to help residents beat the heat at Fire Island’s easternmost public beach in Shirley.
