With dangerously high temperatures expected to hit Long Island this Fourth of July holiday weekend, Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti announced the opening of municipal cooling centers and extended hours of operation at local beaches and pools to help residents stay safe and beat the heat.
Starting Thursday, Cooling Centers will open at Elmont, Levittown and Wantagh senior centers from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. through Friday, offering air-conditioned shelter for residents during the expected heat wave.
Additionally, municipal beaches will remain open until 7:00 pm and pools until 8:00 pm from Thursday through Saturday, July 4, giving families more opportunities to cool off while celebrating Independence Day.
“As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence and the Fourth of July weekend, we must also prepare for what is expected to be a period of extremely dangerous summer weather,” said Supervisor Ferretti.
“By opening cooling centers and expanding hours at our beaches and pools, we ensure residents have safe, accessible places to stay cool while enjoying everything Hempstead Township has to offer.”
Forecasters have forecast temperatures hovering around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (approx. 32°C) since Thursday, with expectations that they will approach 100 degrees (approx. 38°C). Coupled with intense sun exposure, the heat index could rise to nearly 105 degrees (approx. 40°C), creating potentially dangerous conditions for those spending prolonged periods outdoors.
Authorities urge residents to take precautions against this heat wave by limiting outdoor activities during the hottest hours, staying hydrated, wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing, and keeping an eye out for elderly neighbors, friends, and loved ones.
Long Island residents without air conditioning are encouraged to take advantage of the Town of Hempstead’s cooling centers.
Events at recreational facilities
The municipality also invites residents to enjoy its wide variety of recreational facilities and holiday programming.
The “Traveling Summer Luau” event series continues this Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Wantagh’s Forest City Community Park, where the pool complex will be transformed into a tropical destination with music, inflatables, mocktails, games and other activities for the whole family.
This week also kicks off the Town of Hempstead’s free summer concert series: the group Krush performed Thursday at Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore, and Sir Duke — performing a repertoire of music by Stevie Wonder — takes the stage on Friday at Shell Creek Park in Island Park. For a complete list of upcoming concerts, visit TownofHempsteadEvents.com.
“We have made significant investments to improve our parks, pools and beaches so residents can enjoy world-class recreational facilities all summer long,” added Supervisor Ferretti. “This holiday weekend is an excellent opportunity to enjoy these facilities, always taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself from the heat.”
