Special to the Patriot-Bridge
Mayor Michelle Wu issued an excessive heat warning for the City of Boston from Wednesday, July 1, through Friday, July 3, due to extreme weather forecasts. The highest heat indices for this period are expected to range from 105 degrees to 112 degrees without significant reprieve in the evening and overnight hours.
The City of Boston took immediate action to provide heat relief to residents and visitors. During a heat wave, Boston Emergency Medical Services typically experiences a 10-15% increase in calls to 9-1-1 for people of all ages. Anyone can feel the impacts of extreme heat, regardless of age or medical conditions. Resources available include AlertBoston, the City’s opt-in emergency alert system that provides guidance during major emergencies; cooling resources across the city; educational materials focused on kids’ safety; Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) locations operating as cooling centers; state-owned pools; and participating cultural institutions offering free admission to Boston residents. These institutions include the Museum of Science, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. All information about these and other City resources is available at boston.gov/heat.
“Boston has welcomed visitors and residents this summer with vibrant events, cultural celebrations, and community gatherings across our neighborhoods, and we are asking everyone to spread the word about the upcoming intense heat expected in our region. Symptoms of heat illness can occur quickly and affect people of all ages, so it’s especially important to plan ahead. Please stay hydrated, use City cooling resources, and check in on family, friends, and neighbors, especially older adults, young children, and those with underlying health conditions,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Our priority is ensuring everyone can safely enjoy all the Summer activities, and I’m grateful to our City departments working around the clock to connect residents with the resources they need to stay safe and cool.”
This year, the City updated its heat preparedness categorization thresholds and language for hot weather events to align with partners and ensure resources are allocated efficiently. Instead of declaring a heat emergency, the City of Boston now issues an excessive heat warning for one day of a heat index of 105°F or above for two or more consecutive hours, or a temperature increase of at least 25°F within a 24-hour period with the high temperature reaching 90°F or above. Additionally, the City issues a heat advisory if there is a heat index of 95°F for two hours over two consecutive days, or one day with a heat index of 100°F for two consecutive hours.
The City’s excessive heat warning leads to cooling centers being activated, additional support for residents, and a recommendation to reschedule most outdoor events. These updated thresholds, made in coordination with the Boston Public Health Commission and state partners, position the City to better respond to extreme heat events and ensure residents, visitors, and families are safe and connected to resources.
“Over the next few days, the City will experience extreme heat. We encourage everyone to take necessary precautions such as staying hydrated and to be on the lookout for individuals showing signs of heat-related illnesses,” said Chief of Emergency Preparedness Adrian Jordan. “For more information regarding the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and tips on how to stay cool visit boston.gov/heat!”