Hot temperatures to hit Mohawk Valley: What to do and where to go to beat the heat

H. Rose Schneider, Observer-Dispatch
·8 min read

A heat wave is expected to hit New York and much of the United States this week, with temperatures hovering around 90 degrees and a heat index reaching 100 degrees in parts of the Mohawk Valley.

A hazardous weather outlook was issued in Oneida and Madison counties and a heat advisory from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday was issued in Herkimer County. Heat indexes are expected to reach 95 to 100 degrees Wednesday, with the highest readings in valleys and urban areas, according to the National Weather Service.

In Utica, temperatures will reach 88 degrees Tuesday with a low of 67 degrees and a slight chance of thunderstorms before midnight.

On Wednesday, temperatures will spike to 92 degrees with heat index values as high as 96 degrees in Utica. That night into Thursday morning, there is a chance of thunderstorms after 2 a.m. with a low of 71, according to the National Weather Service.

Children take a second to beat the heat Friday, July 31, 2020, at a spray feature in the wading pool at Quinn Park in Utica. Officials are warning of extreme heat July 19 and 20, 2022.
Children take a second to beat the heat Friday, July 31, 2020, at a spray feature in the wading pool at Quinn Park in Utica. Officials are warning of extreme heat July 19 and 20, 2022.

Tips to beat the heat

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's office issued an advisory for New Yorkers to prepare for the extreme heat over the next few days. The governor's office offered the following tips to stay safe:

  • Reduce strenuous activities and exercises, especially from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; exercise should be conducted before 7 a.m.

  • Eat less protein and more fruits and vegetables, have small meals more often and avoid salty foods.

  • Drink at least two to four glasses of water per hour, even if you do not feel thirsty, and avoid alcohol and caffeine.

  • Stay out of the sun and stay in air conditioning. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine, or go to a public building with air conditioning.

  • If you must go outdoors, wear sunscreen with a high sun protector factor rating (at least SPF 15) and a hat.

  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing. Cover as much skin as possible to avoid sunburn.

  • Never leave children, pets or those who require special care in a parked vehicle, especially during periods of intense heat. Temperatures inside can reach over 140 degrees Fahrenheit quickly and can kill within minutes.

  • Check on your neighbors, especially if they are elderly, have young children or have disabilities.

  • Make sure there is enough food and water for your pets.

  • Call 911 if you or someone you know shows signs or symptoms of heat illness, such as headache, light headedness, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting.

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Where to go to cool off in Mohawk Valley

The state Health Department also provided a map of cooling centers across the state where residents can go to cool off in extreme heat. Cooling centers in the Mohawk Valley include:

Herkimer County

  • Basloe Library

    • Address: 245 North Main St., Herkimer, NY 13350

    • Phone: 315-866-1733

    • Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

  • Dolgeville Manheim Library

    • Address: 24 North Main St., Dolgeville, NY 13329

    • Phone: 315-429-3421

    • Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and Friday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday

  • Ilion Library

    • Address: 78 West St., Ilion, NY 13357

    • Phone: 315-894-5028

    • Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

  • Ilion Municipal Building

    • Address: 45 Morgan St., Ilion, NY 13357

    • Phone: 315-894-9911

    • Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday

  • Little Falls Library

    • Address: 10 Waverly Pl., Little Falls, NY 13365

    • Phone: 315-823-1542

    • Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

  • Little Falls YMCA

    • Address: 15 Jackson St., Little Falls, NY 13365

    • Phone: 315-823-1740

    • Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

  • Mohawk YMCA

    • Address: 83 East Main St., Mohawk, NY 13407

    • Phone: 315-866-6570

    • Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

  • Village of Frankfort Office Building

    • Address: 110 Railroad St., Frankfort, NY 13340

    • Phone: 315-895-7651

    • Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday

Lewis County

  • Lewis County Court House

    • Address: 7660 N State St., Lowville, NY 13367

    • Phone: 315-376-5347

    • Hours: Call for operating hours

  • Lewis County General Hospital

    • Address: 7785 N State St, Lowville, NY 13367

    • Phone: 315-376-5200

    • Hours: Call for operating hours

  • Walmart Supercenter

    • Address: 7155 NY-12, Lowville, NY 13367

    • Phone: 315-376-7030

    • Hours: Call for operating hours

Madison County

  • Bridgeport Public Library

    • Address: 8979 North Rd., Bridgeport, NY 13030

    • Phone: 315-633-2253

    • Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday

  • Canastota Municipal Pool

    • Address: 100 Spencer St, Canastota, NY 13032

    • Phone: 315-697-7559

    • Hours: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday; 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday to Sunday

  • Canastota Public Library

    • Address: 102 W. Center St., Canastota, NY 13032

    • Phone: 315-697-7030

    • Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday

  • Cazenovia Public Library

    • Address: 100 Albany St., Cazenovia, NY 13035

    • Phone: 315-655-9322

    • Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

  • Chapman Public Pool

    • Address: 360 N Main St., Oneida, NY 13421

    • Phone: 315-363-3590

    • Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday; noon to 4 p.m. Saturday

    • Fee: Free when temperatures are 90 degrees or higher

  • Chittenango Public Library

    • Address: 101 Falls Blvd., Chittenango, NY 13037

    • Phone: 315-687-6331

    • Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

  • DeRuyter Free Library

    • Address: 735 Utica St., DeRuyter, NY 13052

    • Phone: 315-852-6262

    • Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday

  • Earlville Public Library

    • Address: 4 N Main St., Earlville, NY 13332

    • Phone: 315-691-5931

    • Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday

  • Hamilton Public Library

    • Address: 13 Broad St., Hamilton, NY 13346

    • Phone: 315-824-3060

    • Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

  • Madison County Office for the Aging

    • Address: 139 Dominic Bruno Blvd., Canastota, NY 13032

    • Phone: 315-697-5700

    • Hours: By appointment only, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday

  • New Woodstock Public Library

    • Address: 2106 Main St., New Woodstock, NY 13122

    • Phone: 315-662-3134

    • Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to noon Saturday

  • Oneida Public Library

    • Address: 459 Main St, Oneida, NY 13421

    • Phone: 315-363-3050

    • Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Oneida County

  • Copper City Community Connections

    • Address: 305 E Locust St., Rome, NY 13440

    • Phone: 315-337-8230

    • Hours: Call for operating hours

  • Dunham Public Library

    • Address: 76 Main St., Whitesboro, NY 13492

    • Phone: 315-736-9734

    • Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Wednesday; 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday

  • Jervis Public Library

    • Address: 613 N. Washington St., Rome, NY 13440

    • Phone: 315-336-4570

    • Hours: Call for operating hours

  • Kirkland Town Library

    • Address: 55 1/2 College St., Clinton, NY 13323

    • Phone: 315-853-2038

    • Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

  • New Hartford Senior Center

    • Address: 1 Sherman St., New Hartford, NY 13413

    • Phone: 315-724-8966

    • Hours: Call for operating hours

  • New York Mills Senior Center

    • Address: 320 Main St., New York Mills, NY 13417

    • Phone: 315-736-7360

    • Hours: Call for operating hours

  • North Utica Senior Citizens

    • Address: 50 Riverside Dr., Utica, NY 13502

    • Phone: 315-724-2430

    • Hours: Call for operating hours

  • Parkway Senior Center

    • Address: 220 Memorial Pkwy., Utica, NY 13501

    • Phone: 315-223-3073

    • Hours: Call for operating hours

  • Sangertown Mall

    • Address: 8555 Seneca Tpke., New Hartford, NY 13413

    • Phone: 315-797-8520

    • Hours: Call for operating hours

  • Sherrill Kenwood Library

    • Address: 543 Sherrill Rd., Sherrill, NY 13461

    • Phone: 315-363-5980

    • Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday

  • South Rome Senior Center

    • Address: 112 Ridge St, Rome, NY 13440

    • Phone: 315-339-6457

    • Hours: Call for operating hours

No cooling centers were reported for Otsego or Oswego counties. The state Health Department advised contacting local officials or seeking out air-conditioned libraries, supermarkets and malls, or shaded areas of local and state parks, community pools and beaches.

H. Rose Schneider is the public safety reporter for the Observer-Dispatch. Email Rose at hschneider@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Heat wave in Mohawk Valley: How to stay cool and safe