New York City Agencies, Residents Faced With Sweltering Sunday, First Heat Wave Of The Year
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The heat is expected to be brutal in New York City in the coming days, and residents and city agencies are dealing with another day of potentially dangerous conditions.
As CBS2's Christina Fan reported, beaches filled up early, again Sunday. Staff at Coney Island and Jones Beach prepared for large crowds.
Robert Moses State Park and Field 6 at Jones Beach were already full at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, according to State Parks.
The department diverted traffic away from Jones Beach, which reached social distancing capacity by the afternoon, but both beaches were reopened around 5 p.m.
MORE: CLICK HERE for updates on crowds and closures at New York State parks and beaches
City officials were handing out masks and keeping track of the amount of people at Coney Island Beach to ensure social distancing.
Whether you're heading to the beach or not, it's going to be important to stay hydrated.
TIPS TO BEAT THE HEAT: Your Guide To Summer Safety
On both Saturday and Sunday temperatures soared to 90 degrees across the Tri-State Area.
"It's a little too hot for my tastes," said Tremont resident Angel Beras.
He was inside a Bronx bodega choosing bottled water instead of juice or soda.
WEATHER: Click here for the latest forecast.
On the same block is one of 300 New York City fire hydrants with spray caps.
City parks are home to 650 spray showers.
At one of the West Side, 3-year-old Michael Cimillo's curly hair was wet and his face was streaked with sunblock.
"All the parks in New York are open right now, so he's able to play in the water, he's able to have a good time," Michael's father, Frank Cimillo, said.
Starting on Sunday, 160 cooling centers citywide will open from noon to 8 p.m.
City leaders say, however, they expect to see a smaller turnout than past heat waves after the installation of more than 40,000 free air conditioners for those in need.
College student Alexis Gosman will be home with her brand new AC unit. She said she brought her dad shopping because he's strong and handy.
"I'm going to tackle it. I'm glad she's getting an air conditioner, finally," Fred Gosman said.
"It is very needed for it being so hot today," Alexis Gosman said.
Cooling centers will also be available on Long Island.
While staying out of the heat is advised, not everyone can. Crews from Con Edison were hard at work out in the heat both weekend days with tents to shade them from the sun.
Whether your job is working in a trench on electrical lines or delivering the mail, it's key to pace yourself and retreat to air-conditioned trucks when you feel fuzzy or woozy.
RELATED STORY: State Beaches Reach Capacity Early As Tri-State Temperatures Soar
For some people, their own homes proved too hot to handle.
Lower East Side resident Cointa Nunez told CBS2's Dave Carlin she has an air conditioner, but it's not cutting it.
"That one is too small for the room," she said. "It doesn't get cold enough."
On Saturday morning, she upgraded to a more powerful AC unit but was given no guarantee it can be installed this weekend.
Health experts suggest checking in on vulnerable relatives and neighbors, and drinking plenty of water.
