Town Opens Cooling Center in Hampton Bays

Citing “a heat index of up to 95 or higher being forecast” on Friday, Southampton Town Senior Services has opened a cooling center at the for residents to get out of the heat and humidity.

The center will be open on Ponquogue Avenue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Shuttle service is available for those without their own transportation by calling the senior center at 631-728-1235.

Southampton Town Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Lt. Robert Iberger advised residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air conditioned room and stay out of the sun. He also asked residents to check up on friends and relatives, especially the elderly.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the South Fork through 10 p.m. Friday, warning that the heat index could reach 100 to 104 degrees. The weather service warned of heat disorders in children, the elderly and people performing strenuous work during the peak heat.

There is also an air quality alert in effect for Suffolk County, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday. There is a elevated level of ground level ozone and fine particles expected, according to the weather service, which said strenuous activity should be limited and those with respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease should consult their doctors.