Heatwave Grips City
New Yorkers are seeking relief at cooling centres, fountains and air-conditioned public spaces after the city recorded its first 37.8°C (100°F) day in nearly 14 years, with an extreme heat warning in effect until Saturday night.
Footage filmed on Thursday shows people fanning themselves outside, visiting a cooling centre and buying frozen yoghurt, while street vendors call out to passers-by with ice water, and children play in fountains and sprinklers.
The National Weather Service warned that dangerous heat and humidity in New York City could make it feel as hot as 44.4°C (112°F), especially for people working or spending time outdoors.
Residents Feel Pressure
For some residents, the heat also became a household cost crisis. One woman explained that she had stopped using her air conditioning after a sharp rise in her electricity bill.
“So for now, I don’t put the AC on because the bill is too high and I just don’t feel like it’s worth it,” she said. “It’s higher than my rent, basically.”
Another local on his way to work shared, “I’m going to have to deal with this all day. And I’m trying to stay cool. I’m going to look for a sprinkler or something to run through.”
Cooling Centres Open
Officials urged people who cannot safely cool their homes to use cooling centres and other public air-conditioned spaces. New York City Emergency Management declared extreme heat is one of the city’s most serious weather threats, with older people and those with health conditions at greater risk.
One resident said the public library had become part of her heatwave routine, offering water, air conditioning and a place to cool down.
Tourists were also caught off guard. A visitor from Liverpool blamed the humidity, adding, “I don’t think we’ve sweated this much in our lives.”
The heatwave is part of a wider stretch of dangerous weather across the central and eastern United States, where forecasters warned that heat index values could reach 46.1°C (115°F) in some areas.
Article by Viory
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