PHILADELPHIA — In response to forecast maximum heat index values approaching 110°F, Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson has issued a Heat Health Emergency in Philadelphia. This designation begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2026, and is scheduled to end at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026, though it may be extended if the forecast worsens.

“As Philadelphia welcomes the world and celebrates our nation’s 250th anniversary, I want every resident and visitor alike, to know that there are places across our city to cool off and find relief from the heat,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “We’ve worked across City government and with our partners to make those resources easy to find and available to everyone. From cooling centers, pools, and spraygrounds to hydration stations and outreach and shelter services for those who need them most, City government and our partners are ready to help.”

A declaration of a Heat Health Emergency activates the City’s emergency heat programs, which include the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s (PCA) Heatline, cooling centers, home visits by special field teams, enhanced daytime outreach for people experiencing homelessness, and the City’s reminder to the public to safely check on older friends, relatives, and neighbors from a distance.

In addition to the normal heat-related response, the City is making further preparations to protect visitors to Philadelphia attending Welcome America and FIFA activities. The Health Department continues to remind residents and visitors to listen to their bodies and take immediate measures to protect themselves if they start feeling any symptoms of heat stress.

FIFA Fan Festival

FIFA Fan Festival™ Philadelphia has a variety of ways to beat the heat and still enjoy the most popular fan festival in the United States. From cooling tents, misting tents, free water refill stations, shaded areas, to multiple medical stations for those who might be feeling the effects of the heat, residents and visitors can feel safe visiting the Fan Festival. Make sure you bring a refillable water container with you.

Air-conditioned rides on SEPTA or the Philly PHLASH are available to get around Center City, Fan Festival at Lemon Hill, or Saturday’s World Cup match.

Be sure to check the Fan Festival website for the latest hours of operation.

FIFA at Philadelphia Stadium

FIFA announced all fans will be allowed to bring in one soft, plastic, 20-ounce (590ml), factory-sealed disposable water bottle into any FIFA World Cup 2026 match in the US and Canada.

Water fountains at Philadelphia Stadium are found on the concourse behind Sections 103, 118, 122, C3, C19, C24, C38, 204, and 222.

Welcome America Events

Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit any of the Pop-Up Visitor Centers that include Philadelphia Water Department’s four hydration stations located from City Hall to Lemon Hill, with shade, access to free water refills, and more misting stations that are open every day between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Bring a refillable water container and plan on taking breaks in the shade by getting indoors and taking advantage of Welcome America’s Free Museum days.

The City will increase water and ice delivery to these locations on July 4^th. Misting fans will be in place for the July 4th concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

If you’re in need of medical assistance on the Parkway July 4^th, you can find medical tents at four locations:

• Spring Garden Street and Pennsylvania Avenue – Von Colln Field
• Eakins Oval Southwest Side
• 22nd Street and the Parkway
• 20th Street and the Parkway

City Response

Additionally, the PCA Heatline (215-765-9040) will be open between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. every day of the Heat Health Emergency. The public is encouraged to call if they have questions about precautions they can take and how to detect signs of heat stress. City Health Department nurses will be available to speak with callers about medical problems related to the heat.

“As we gather to celebrate the Fourth of July, please be aware that the heat that we’ll be experiencing this week can be dangerous,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson. “The single best thing that you can do to protect yourself is to take advantage of air conditioning: use it at home, head to a friend’s or loved one’s home, or visit one of the City’s cooling centers. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the heat wave. And, as always, please check on elderly friends and neighbors to make sure they’re safe and don’t need assistance. If you’re worried about someone’s health during the emergency, you can call the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s Heatline at 215-765-9040.”

People who do not have air conditioning are advised to seek relief from the heat by visiting friends or relatives who have air conditioning. The City will be opening a variety of alternate cooling sites that will be available for use by all Philadelphia residents looking to escape the heat.

Cooling Centers

Over 50 cooling centers will operate with extended hours every day of the Heat Health Emergency. Cooling Center locations and hours may change if the Heat Health Emergency is extended.

Cooling Center locations and hours can be found on this map or by calling 311.

Pools and Spraygrounds

Residents are also encouraged to visit any of the over 150 Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s spraygrounds and pools.

Older Adult Centers

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s older adult centers will be open. Older Adult Centers all have air conditioning and are open between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. on weekends.

Utility Shutoffs

Philadelphia Water Department shutoffs are suspended during a Heat Health Emergency. Shutoffs for non-payment will resume after the Heat Health Emergency ends.

Outreach and shelter for people living outdoors

To keep people experiencing homelessness safe, Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services (OHS) has declared a Code Red, effective at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, until further notice

Homeless Street Outreach teams are available throughout Philadelphia, providing water and offering shelter and related services to people who are living or sleeping outside in dangerously high temperatures.

OHS encourages anyone who sees someone outside who needs help to call the City’s 24/7/365 Homeless Street Outreach Hotline, (215) 232-1984.

If there is a behavioral health issue, call or text 988. For medical or other emergencies, call 911.

Who is at risk

Groups that are at higher risk of heat stress include:

• People who do not have or use air conditioning,
• Older adults,
• People with chronic medical conditions,
• Pregnant women,
• Small children,
• Those who work in high heat environments,
• Those who take certain medications that disrupt the regulation of body temperature,
• Those who use alcohol or drugs, and
• People engaged in strenuous physical activity.

The City strongly encourages all Philadelphians to check in with friends, neighbors, relatives, and other loved ones to make sure that they are safe from the heat.

The Department of Public Health recommends that to avoid heat-related illnesses, Philadelphians of all ages should:

• Use air conditioners. If necessary, go to an air-conditioned location for several hours during the hottest parts of the day.
• If using a fan, be sure to open windows to release trapped hot air.
• Drink plenty of liquids, especially water, to prevent dehydration. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Never leave older people, children, or pets alone in cars.
• Those taking regular medication should consult with their physician. Some medications cause an adverse reaction in hot weather.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• If attending outdoor events, plan ahead for the heat. Bring water, look to refill your empty bottles, and try to identify shady spots or indoor air-conditioned locations.
• Maintain a normal diet.
• Shower or bathe in water that is near skin temperature.
• Cover all exposed skin with SPF sunscreen (15 or above). Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and head.

The early warning signs of heat stress are decreased energy, slight loss of appetite, faintness, lightheadedness, and nausea. People experiencing these symptoms should go to a cool environment, drink fluids, remove excess clothing, and rest. If there is no improvement, call a doctor or 911. City hospitals are ready and available to accept patients who need help.

Call 911 immediately if you have or you see others with serious signs of heat stress, including unconsciousness, rapid heartbeat, throbbing headache, dry skin, chest pain, mental confusion, irritability, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, staggering, and difficulty breathing. People experiencing these symptoms should get immediate medical attention. While waiting for help, move the person to a cool area, remove excess clothing, spray with water, and fan the person.

Swimming Danger

The Philadelphia Water Department advises everyone to stay out of our rivers and creeks. Unlike City pools, these waterways are not supervised by lifeguards or first responders.

Hidden deep pools, hazardous debris, and sudden flash flooding make them unsafe for swimming.

Our larger rivers, the Delaware and Schuylkill, are active shipping and boating channels with deep water and strong currents.

Swimming here can lead to fatal injuries, drownings, and exposure to waterborne pathogens that cause illness.

Residents and visitors in town for FIFA World Cup and Fan Festival events can learn more about how to stay cool during this Heat Health Emergency by texting CUPPHL to 888-777 for free alerts and following the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management’s WhatsApp channel. If you’re attending any Welcome America event or the July 4^th concert on the Parkway, text AMERICA to 888-777.

More information about heat health emergencies and what residents can do to stay safe can be found on the City’s Heat Health Emergency blog post, and on the City’s Extreme Heat Guide.

Media Note

The City will be making one cooling site per day available to press for b-roll footage during the Heat Health Emergency. Please note that this is not a press conference, just availability. Please see the following list of sites and times:

• Wednesday, July 1
  • Parkway Central Library
  • 1901 Vine St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
  • Availability: 2 p.m. through 3 p.m.
• Thursday, July 2
  • Mander Recreation Center
  • 2140 N. 33^rd, Philadelphia, PA 19121
  • Availability: 2 p.m. through 3 p.m.
• Friday, July 3
  • Love Park Hospitality Hub and water station
  • 1501 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19102
  • Availability: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.