Officials urge Long Islanders to take precautions in severe heat

With steamy conditions hitting Long Island, officials are urging residents to take extra steps to avoid an emergency-room visit for heat-related illnesses.

Area doctors and local officials encouraged Long Islanders to drink plenty of water and stay indoors as much as possible during the hot, humid weather in the first half of the week. Those who work outdoors especially should stay hydrated and get in the shade when they have a chance, said doctors at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow. 

That's exactly what construction worker Antonio Ferreira did Tuesday. The shade proved to be his salvation during his outdoor assignment, he said.

Ferreira was part of a six-man crew that worked from 7 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. removing fencing at Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn.

“Most of the time, we got a lot of shade from the trees,” Ferreira said.

To deal with the high temperatures, Ferreira said he drank a gallon of water over the course of his shift and the team worked “a little slower than normal.”

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the New York region from late Tuesday morning to 9 p.m. Wednesday. While the high temperature Wednesday was expected to be in the low 90s , it will feel like between 95 to 104 degrees with the humidity, forecasters said. Temperatures hit a high of 92 at Long Island MacArthur Airport on Tuesday, the weather service said.

An air quality advisory was issued on Long Island for  Tuesday and Wednesday as well.

Officials at Nassau University Medical Center said Tuesday that residents should know the warning signs of heat stroke — which can include dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting.

Doctors at the hospital said they typically see an increase in elderly and young patients who are nauseous or vomiting during extreme heat. In the most severe cases, doctors said patients will have slurred speech and impaired cognitive function.

Dr. Paul Pipia, president and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center, said residents should stay indoors when possible. Air conditioning is important, Pipia said, adding that electric fans may not be helpful on days when the humidity is high because they recirculate hot air.

Those without air conditioners can visit public places such as malls or libraries to keep cool, officials said.

“Even if you go for a couple of hours, that will help bring your body temperature down and save you,” Pipia said.

Pipia and Dr. Anthony Boutin, chairman of the hospital’s emergency department, advised people to stay hydrated with water and to avoid alcohol and drinks high in caffeine as they can contribute to dehydration. 

People at highest risk during these weather conditions are infants, children younger than 5, people 65 and older, and those with medical conditions that would leave them compromised, Pipia said.

Long Islanders should check on high-risk residents at least twice a day, Pipia added. 

Pets should have plenty of shade and water as well, Riverhead Town officials said in a statement.

The sweltering conditions come courtesy of the Bermuda High, the semi-permanent area of high pressure over the North Atlantic, according to the weather service. It's now positioned to draw up moist, tropical air from the tropics, and as of Tuesday “remains in control of the weather across the tristate,” the weather service said Tuesday. 

Residents will get a bit of a break from the heat later in the week. Thursday was expected to be a few degrees cooler, with chances of showers and thunderstorms entering the picture through Friday, which sees a nice drop in temperatures with highs in the mid-70s.

With Patricia Kitchen