NEW YORK CITY — Heavy thunderstorms were expected to hit the city Thursday afternoon, forcing officials to issue a flash flood watch — as the muggy humidity made temperatures feel like they were in the 100s.
Showers and storms began around noon and forecasters warned they could drench the five boroughs with up to 2 inches of rain over a few hours. Low-lying neighborhoods and places with poor drainage were at particular risk of flooding, according to the National Weather Service.
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The severe weather comes on the second day temperatures were expected to reach into the 90s, with Thursday's high of 95 degrees showing no signs of relief until Sunday, according to the NWS.
An air-quality advisory has also been issued until 11 p.m. Thursday, according to the NWS.
Officials warned that Thursday's weather could be hazardous for those with heat-related health issues, with the temperatures "enhanced in urban centers" due to the number of buildings, concrete and pavement.
“The important thing is don’t mess with the heat. Don’t underestimate the heat. Be very very careful. Take precautions,” Mayor Bill de Blasio urged a room full of senior citizens at the Bronxworks Morris Innovative Senior Center Thursday.
The mayor said the city was keeping sprinklers on across the city, letting city pools stay open an extra hour, and opening 500 cooling centers for people looking to stay cool.
You can find the closest cooling center with the OEM's map or by calling 311.
The mayor urged people to keep their air conditioners set at 78 degrees to help alleviate pressure on the power grid.
The high temperatures have also caused scattered power outages, including in Astoria and Long Island city, officials said. Nearly 200 customers in Queens were left without power following manhole fires in the borough, according to Con Ed.
“We think this is only going to go on another day but you never know,” de Blasio said in outlying precautionary measures to deal with the heat.
Here are other ways to stay cool Thursday:
► Here's How to Open a Fire Hydrant Without Getting Arrested
► Here's How You Can Get to NYC's Beaches Without a Car
► Best Public Outdoor Pools in NYC
