High Heat and Flash Flooding
The governor is warning New Yorkers to prepare for flash flooding and excessive heat over the next several days.
The potential exists for flash flooding in New York City, the Lower Hudson Valley, and Long Island today, July 12, and tomorrow, July 13. Isolated flooding will be driven by heavy showers and thunderstorms in those areas.
Excessive heat may be dangerous beginning Sunday, July 14, and continuing through Wednesday, July 17. Some areas could experience “feels like” temperatures topping 100°F on Monday and Tuesday.
New Yorkers are urged to stay hydrated, check on loved ones and vulnerable home care clients frequently, and share the following information with staff and patients.
Flood Watch Issued
A Flood Watch has been issued for eastern Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester, all of New York City, and Nassau counties starting at noon today through 6:00 pm on Saturday.
Never drive through standing water! Turn around and go another way. If water begins to rise rapidly around you in your car, abandon the vehicle immediately. Do not underestimate the power of fast-moving water. Two feet of fast-moving flood water will float your car, and water moving at two miles per hour can sweep cars off a road or bridge.
Excessive Heat
From Sunday through Wednesday, lower elevation areas in Central New York, the Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, Mid-Hudson, Capital Region, Long Island, and New York City will see the worst of the temperatures. Highest temps are expected Monday and Tuesday.
Health care providers, including home and community-based services organizations, should anticipate and prepare for an increase in heat-related illnesses and complications among vulnerable populations. Most heat-related illness sufferers do not have (or don’t use) air conditioners and succumb in their own homes.
Home care agencies and health care providers are strongly urged to contact their caregivers and most vulnerable patients to raise awareness and advise them to stay cool and well hydrated. Be vigilant in monitoring for symptoms of possible heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat cramps/exhaustion/stroke, and complications from heart and lung disease.
Instruct patients and caregivers to use home air conditioners or seek cooling centers or locations that are air-conditioned such as a mall, library, or supermarket.
A list of cooling centers can be found on the NYSDOH Cooling Center Locator. New York City residents can call 311 or visit the city’s cooling center website to find safe locations during a heat wave. Note that the NYC cooling centers (and the website tool) are only activated during times of high heat.
Never leave children, vulnerable adults, or pets unsupervised in hot cars, even when it doesn’t “feel hot” to you! At 60°F outside, after just one hour a closed car can get as hot as 105°F.
More Information
DOH has additional resources on their Extreme Heat Advice webpage. Visit the Department of Environmental Conservation website for more information on NY State efforts regarding extreme heat and its effects on individuals.
See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for assessing risk of heat related illness.
Those in need of air conditioning units or utility assistance can be referred to the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) cooling assistance program. Medical documentation is not necessary to show need, but your clients may need help with the application. HCP reminds providers that home care workers are also safer in an air-conditioned environment during a high-heat event. HEAP applications will continue to be accepted until funding runs out. For more information, contact your local office for the aging at 1-800-342-9871.
Monitor weather conditions daily to keep workers informed, and be sure caregivers keep patients informed of weather alerts at each shift.
We encourage you to sign up for NY Alert, the state’s Mass Notification System to warn citizens in a timely manner of emergencies and provide other critical information.