Midwest, East Coast cities alter holiday celebrations, emergency plans as extreme heat targets July 4 weekend
Cities across much of the central and eastern part of the country are activating emergency plans and altering America 250 celebrations as record-breaking high temperatures build across the nation through the July 4 holiday weekend.
Cities across much of the central and eastern part of the country are activating emergency plans and altering America 250 celebrations as record-breaking high temperatures build across the nation through the July 4 holiday weekend.
New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago and other major metro areas have activated heat response plans, with more than 160 million people across the country already under Heat Alerts.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that cooling centers will begin to open Wednesday, including new, mobile cooling vans that will also allow city workers to provide hot weather wellness checks.
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Additional pop-up cooling stations will also be activated that will provide cold water to outdoor workers. The city also suspended evictions through Friday due to the extreme heat.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, this could be the first time NYC sees back-to-back 100 degree days since 2011.
While Boston isn't expected to enter record-breaking territory, Mayor Michelle Wu issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the city through Friday. The city is recommending that most outdoor activities be rescheduled.
State-owned pools are also offering free admission to help people stave off the extreme temperatures.
Philadelphia also issued a Heat Health Emergency through July 4 and is moving parts of the FIFA World Cup Fan Festival into cooled tents on Thursday and Friday.
In addition, the city is cutting its Independence Day Parade on Friday one mile shorter due to the expected extreme heat. Over 50 cooling centers have been activated across the city.
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Philly could tie its hottest temperature ever recorded, 106 degrees, later this week, the FOX Forecast Center said.
The nation's capital, which is a focal point for America 250 celebrations, could see three consecutive days of 100-degree temperatures.
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Mayor Muriel Bowser urged people on Tuesday to begin limiting time outdoors.
The Great American State Fair will be on the National Mall through July 10, and is one of the major outdoor components of the America 250 festivities. Visitors are being advised to drink plenty of water as they explore the various exhibits.
The City of Chicago has activated its Emergency Operations Center to help deal with the heat. Cooling centers will remain open across the city through Thursday with heat index values expected to approach triple-digits.
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Public schools also moved their summer programs indoors during the peak of the heat.
Nashville's Office of Emergency Management is conducting heat patrols throughout the week, where crews will conduct wellness checks on vulnerable people, offering cold water and wet towels.
The heat index was expected to reach 104 degrees in the city Wednesday.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
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