Mayor Adams Prepares New Yorkers for Extreme Summer Heat

Mayor Adams prepares NYC for what's expected to be a grueling summer of heat.Photo by(Nycmayorsoffice/Flickr)

With last year being the hottest summer on record, NYC prepares for another season of heat

New York City — "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail," Benjamin Franklin once said. Mayor Adams is doing his best to take a page out of Franklin's book.

On Thursday, the mayor and city officials announced a "proactive safety plan" to keep residents safe during the expected extreme summer weather. After all, last year was the hottest summer on record.

According to a report, the extremely-warm winter was responsible for last year's record-breaking summer. At one point, the winter temperatures baked New Yorkers with 93-degree heat.

As is the case worldwide, such record warmth in New York City is believed to reflect global warming.

According to weather forecasters, this summer could even top last year's. So Mayor Adams is doing his best to follow Ben Franklin's advice.

"This year we have expanded the number of cooling centers across the city," Adams said. "We have updated our air quality emergency guidelines with new technology and monitoring, greater outreach to vulnerable populations, and more protections to critical infrastructures such as public transportation and hospitals."

The city is updating its 24/7 Cool Options map and increasing cooling center partners to combat the expected heat.

Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi said the city plans to get ahead of the heat "with more cooling centers, free air conditioners, and cooling kits for New Yorkers."

She added they're "also planting trees and investing in infrastructural improvements to manage these changes. [The city] will not leave a single tool on the table to keep New Yorkers safe."

The mayor said additional safety tips are available on the city's website.