Weather news

Cooling Centers open this week

Heat wave prompts County, Town to help residents escape high temps, humidity

Posted
Lifeguards will  be on duty for an extra hour (til 7 p.m.) at most Town beaches.
Lifeguards will be on duty for an extra hour (til 7 p.m.) at most Town beaches.
Mary Malloy/Herald

With high temperatures and humidity impacting the region, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced that cooling centers are open to the public.

“The combination of heat and humidity can become unbearable and dangerous for many of our residents,” said Mangano. “I encourage residents to take precautions and visit one of our many cooling centers and pools if they need relief from the heat.”

Town of Hempstead beaches, pools

Supervisor Anthony J. Santino and Councilman Anthony D’Esposito have announced that Town of Hempstead cooling centers will be open now through Friday, July 29.

  • Town Park Point Lookout
  • Lido Beach Town Park
  • Lido West Town Park
  • Town Park at Sands 
  • Hewlett Point Park
  • East Atlantic Beach
  • Atlantic Beach Estates
  • Point Lookout Civic Beach

The following Cooling Centers, offered by the County and Town of Oyster Bay are open daily, from 9a.m. to 4:45pm:

  • Mitchel Field Administrative Center - One Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Uniondale - 516-572-0400
  • Bethpage Ice Center - 1001 Ave., Bethpage - 516-433-7465
  • Marjorie Post Rink - 451 Unqua Road, Massapequa – 516-797-7991
  • Syosset Woodbury Ice Rink - 7900 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury – 516-677-5990

The following location, offered by the Village of Rockville Centre, will be open weekdays only from 9 a.m. to 4:45pm.

  • Sandel Senior Center – 50 South Park Ave., Rockville Centre – 516-678-9350

Additionally this week, town beaches and pools will remain open one hour after their standard closing time. This extra hour will provide residents with a larger window of opportunity to combat the heat and let the weather cool down a bit before heading home.

“It has certainly been an unforgiving summer this year. Heat and humidity pose all kinds of health risks to many of our residents,” Santino said. “I urge our residents to take advantage of the cooling centers and extended hours at the pools and beaches.”

The following cooling centers are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., from Tuesday, July 26 through Friday, July 29:

  • Baldwin Senior Center, 1810 N. Grand Ave., Baldwin, (516) 546-7110

  • Bellmore Senior Center, 2000 Bellmore Ave., Bellmore, (516) 221-9696

  • Cedarhurst Senior Center, 200 Cedarhurst Avenue, Cedarhurst, (516) 295-1177 (open until 4:30 p.m.)

  • East Meadow Senior Center, 1485 Front Street, East Meadow, (516) 794-2458

  • Elmont Senior Center, 138 Elmont Rd., Elmont, (516) 354-4777

  • Franklin Square Senior Center, 1182 Martha Pl. Franklin Square, (516) 328-3010

  • Green Acres Senior Center, 400 Flower Rd., Valley Stream, (516) 872-8810

  • Levittown Senior Center, 555 N. Newbridge Rd., Levittown, (516) 433-5454

  • Merrick Senior Center, 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick, (516) 868-4777

  • Oceanside Senior Center, 2900 Rockaway Ave., Oceanside, (516) 766-8888

  • Rosa Parks Senior Center, 2 Babylon Tpke., Roosevelt (516) 867-1612

  • Salisbury Senior Center, 460 Salisbury Park Drive, Westbury, (516) 333-5440

  • Uniondale-Hempstead Senior Center, 840 Uniondale Ave., Uniondale (516) 292-1313

  • Uniondale-Merrick Senior Center, 750 Jerusalem Ave., Uniondale (516) 538-5050

  • Wantagh Senior Center, 1150 Seamans Neck Rd., Wantagh (516) 785-8505

 “Each of our centers offer shelter from the heat, as well as good company,” D’Esposito said. “An extra hour goes a long way; give the sun some time to retreat before packing up.”

Hours of operation will be extended at the following pools:

  • Roosevelt Pool - Closing at 7 p.m.

  • Forest City Park Pool - Closing at 8 p.m.

  • Rath Pool (Franklin Sq. Park District) - Closing at 8 p.m.

  • Walker Memorial Pool - Closing at 8 p.m.

  • Azaela Road Pool- Closing at 8 p.m.

  • Hewlett Pool – Closing at 8 p.m.

  • Blue Grass Lane Pool - Closing at 8 p.m.

  • Slate Lane Pool- Closing at 8 p.m.

  • Malibu Beach Club Pool – Closing at 8 p.m.

  • Town Park at the Sands Pool - Closing at 7 p.m.


The Nassau County Department of Health also offers the following information for residents to protect themselves and others during high temperatures:

  • Check on relatives and friends, especially the elderly.
  • Increase time spent in an air-conditioned environment.
  • Drink fluids – especially water. Avoid beverages that contain alcohol.
  • Take cool baths.
  • Individuals especially at risk, such as the elderly or those with chronic illnesses should refrain from physical activity, avoid being alone, keep their sleeping area well ventilated, and avoid falling asleep in a hot room.
  • Eat light, but nutritious foods.
  • Avoid the sun at the hottest times of the day.
  • Wear a hat and light, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Elderly people, infants, and many individuals with chronic medical conditions are at high risk for heat-related problems and should be very cautious about exposure.
  • If any person experiences heat stroke or exhaustion, get medical help immediately.
  • Symptoms of heat-related illnesses may include: headache, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and low pulse rate. Other symptoms may include cold pale and clammy skin or hot, flushed dry skin.
  • Also as a reminder do not leave children or pets in cars. Even in cool temperatures, cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly. Anyone left inside is at risk for serious heat-related illnesses or even death. Even with the windows cracked open, interior temperatures can rise almost 20° F within the first 10 minutes. Children and pets who are left unattended in parked cars are at greatest risk for heat stroke, and possibly death. When leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car. Do not overlook any children or pets who have fallen asleep in the car.

For more information, contact the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management at (516) 573-9600.