Watch out for your health and your power usage today.
Orange and Rockland Utilities has declared a Summer Heat Alert for today and Saturday. And, the Rockland County Health Department warns there is an ozone alert out for today.
O&R’s upgrade from Heat Watch, which has been effect for the past three days, to a to Heat Alert is the result of the sweltering weather forecast, the expected heavy air conditioning use and its accompanying unusually high electricity demand.
O&R says the Heat Alert advisory means that field crews are focusing primarily on emergency work, with scheduled work being performed as system conditions permit.
The advisory also means that O&R engineers and system operators closely monitor the loads on distribution circuits, transformer banks and other key system components to detect any heat-related issues early so that any concerns are addressed quickly.
O&R says it urges the public to take steps to most efficiently use electricity, including turning down or turning off air conditioning in empty homes while you are away or at work. When using your room air conditioner, close doors to keep the cool air in and the hot air out. If you have central air conditioning, block the vents in unused or vacant rooms.
With the heat has come an increase in ozone pollution.
The Rockland County Department of Health recommends that residents limit strenuous outdoor physical activity, such as jogging, ball-playing and running during the afternoon and early evening hours when ozone levels are highest. People with existing respiratory ailments may be especially sensitive to the effects of ozone and should limit all outdoor exercise and physical exertion when ozone levels are elevated.
Young children and the elderly are also susceptible. Rockland Health Commission Joan Facelle said It is helpful to remain in an air-conditioned location. People exposed to elevated levels of ozone may experience a variety of symptoms, with the most common symptom being a feeling of irritation in the eyes, nose and throat. Some people may also experience respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and wheezing.
Even without such symptoms, people exposed to ozone may have changes in their lung function that can last for several days before returning to normal. Some people experience these effects as “feeling tired” or “lacking energy.” Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing should consult their doctor or seek medical attention immediately.
“Ozone levels are usually highest after noon and through early evening hours on hot, sunny days, and therefore this part of the day is the peak time for symptoms,” Facelle said. “Performing vigorous exercise outdoors such as running also makes a person more likely to experience symptoms from exposure to ozone.”
If you need a place to cool off, communities throughout Rockland have opened “cooling centers” at key locations, with the cooling centers in operation through Friday.
Here are the cooling centers:
Town of Clarkstown
Central Nyack Community
Center, 58 Waldron Ave, Central Nyack
(8 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
Congers Community Center, 6 Gilchrest Rd, Congers
(8 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
Pascack Community Center, 87 New Clarkstown Rd, Nanuet
(8 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
Street Community Center, 31 Zukor Road, New City
(8 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
Town of Ramapo
Town Hall, 237 Rte 59, Suffern
(9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
St. Lawrence Center, 115 Torne Valley Rd, Hillburn
(9 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
Town of Haverstraw
Town Hall, 1 Rosman Rd,
Garnerville
(8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Town of Orangetown
Town Hall, Multi-Purpose 26 Orangeburg
Rd, Orangeburg
(9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Orangetown Police Dept., 26 Orangeburg Rd, Orangeburg
(24 hours/7 days)
Town of Stony Point
Town Hall, 74 East Main St,
Stony Point
(8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Stony Point Community Center (Rho Bldg), Patriot Hills Complex, 19
Clubhouse Lane, Stony Point
(9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
Stony Point Police Dept. Emergency Response Room, 79 Rte 210, Stony
Point (24 hours/7 days)
Village of Nyack
Village Hall, 9 North Broadway,
Nyack
(9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Village of South Nyack Village Hall, 282 So. Broadway, South
Nyack
(9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Village of Hillburn
Village Hall, 31 Mountain Ave,
Hillburn
(9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Village of Haverstraw Haverstraw Village Community Center, 50
W. Broad St,
Haverstraw (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
Village of Piermont
Village Hall, 478 Piermont Ave,
Piermont (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Village of Suffern
Village Hall (community room) 61
Washington Ave, Suffern
(8 a.m.- 9 p.m.)
Village of Spring Valley
Village Hall, 200 North Main St,
Spring Valley
(8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Youth Bureau/Kurtz Civic Center,
9 North Main St, Spring Valley
(9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
Village of West Haverstraw
Community Center
(9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
The following are tips and terms to know during excessive heat.
Know the Terms
HEAT ADVISORY: Issued by the National Weather Service when the heat index is expected to reach at least 100°F but less than 105°F, for less then three hours per day, or when nighttime lows are expected to remain above 80°F.
EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH: Issued by the National Weather Service, 24-48 hours in advance, when it is possible the heat index will reach 105°F for at least three hours for at least two consecutive days, or when there is a predicted heat index of 115°F.
EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING: Issued by the National Weather Service 24 hours in advance of a possible 105°F heat index for at least three hours for at least two consecutive days, or when there is a predicted heat index of 115°F.
HEAT WAVE: A period of abnormally and uncomfortable hot and unusually humid weather. Typically a heat wave lasts two or more days.
HEAT INDEX: The Heat Index (HI) or the “Apparent Temperature” is an accurate measure of how hot it really feels when the Relative Humidity (RH) is added to the actual air temperature.
OZONE HEALTH ADVISORY: Issued when ozone levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than 0.08 parts per million when averaged over an eight-hour period.
Health Hazards
Sunburn: Skin redness and pain, possible swelling, blisters, fever, headaches. Take a shower using soap to remove oils that may block pores, preventing the body from cooling naturally. Apply dry, sterile dressings to any blisters, and get medical attention.
Heat Cramps: Painful spasms, usually in leg and abdominal muscles; heavy sweating. Get the victim to a cooler location. Lightly stretch and gently massage affected muscles to relieve spasms. Give sips of up to a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. (Do not give liquids with caffeine or alcohol.) Discontinue liquids, if victim is nauseated.
Heat Exhaustion: Heavy sweating but skin may be cool, pale, or flushed. Weak pulse. Normal body temperature is possible, but temperature will likely rise. Fainting or dizziness, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, and headaches are possible. Get victim to lie down in a cool place. Loosen or remove clothing. Apply cool, wet clothes, Fan or move victim to air-conditioned place. Give sips of water if victim is conscious. Be sure water is consumed slowly. Give half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Discontinue water if victim is nauseated. Seek immediate medical attention if vomiting occurs.
Heat Stroke ( a severe medical emergency): High body temperature (105+); hot, red, dry skin; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid shallow breathing. Victim will probably not sweat unless victim was sweating from recent strenuous activity, Possible unconsciousness. Call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services, or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal. Move victim to a cooler environment. Removing clothing, Try a cool bath, sponging, or wet sheet to reduce body temperature. Watch for breathing problems. Use extreme caution. Use fans and air conditioners.
Protective Safety Measures
- Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced or eliminated.
- Dress for summer.
- Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
- Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol fluids.
- East well balanced, light, and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
- Spend more time in air-conditioned places.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
- Conserve energy, during periods of extreme heat, electricity use rises.
- Make a special effort to check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone, especially seniors, young children and people with special needs.
- Be aware of your pets needs for water and shade.
- Be prepared for a possible power outage.
- Listen to local weather forecasts.
- Should you have an emergency contact 911 immediately.
