PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Kenney released a statement today urging residents as well as Democratic National Convention visitors and demonstrators to take precautions during the extreme heat and thunderstorms expected to occur over the next several days. An excessive heat warning went into effect at 11AM Saturday morning and is expected to continue until 6PM on Monday, July 25. The City’s Health Department expects the heat index values for Saturday to be 100 and rise to 105 on Monday. Hot temperatures are expected to continue next week and the National Weather Service anticipates issuing an excessive heat watch beginning Tuesday, July 26, 2016. Excessive heat causes dangerous health conditions due to prolonged hot temperatures coupled with high humidity. There is little relief at night due to higher than normal overnight temperatures.
“It is important to take extreme heat seriously. I urge residents to drink water frequently, check on their neighbors and keep their windows open if they do not have A/C. I also encourage everyone in the city this weekend and early next week to limit their time outdoors as much as possible or to seek out a cooling center, spray ground or public pool, if prolonged outdoor exposure is unavoidable.
“In the event of a thunderstorm, take shelter. If you are demonstrating when a thunderstorm warning occurs, safety personnel will direct you to the nearest sheltered area. You will be able to return to your demonstration area as soon as the safety threat has passed.”
Residents and visitors can find cooling centers and spay ground locations HERE. The City has also mobilized additional homeless outreach teams to provide water, transport individuals to emergency housing shelters and contact EMS for those in distress. If you see people who are homeless and suffering from the heat, call our outreach team at (215) 232-1984. Seniors in distress or residents concerned about a senior, should call the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA)’s HeatLine (215) 765-9040. Additional information and tips for staying cool are available HERE.
For the safety of demonstrators during the DNC, two medic tents, two misting tents and bottled water will be available in FDR Park. Medics will also be assigned to marches, and demonstrators are encouraged to request a permit to help ensure there is adequate medical staff on hand. Along Broad Street there will also be fire hydrant sprinkler caps and bottled water pallets. The City is not granting permits for camping during the DNC and demonstrators are highly encouraged not to camp in light of the safety threats by extreme heat and expected thunderstorms.