PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia has issued a Heat Health Emergency due to the ongoing heatwave in the region.The health emergency takes effect Thursday at noon and will expire at 8 p.m.
Officials say they maintain the right to extend the emergency if conditions warrant.The city’s declaration of the emergency puts into action heat programs set up for residents, including cooling centers, home visits for residents by special field teams, outreach for the homeless.
And, as with any weather emergency, residents are urged to check on their neighbors, especially vulnerable neighbors, such as the elderly.A special hotline, nicknamed Heatline, will be open to the public 12 p.m.
through 8 p.m. on Thursday. That number is open for anyone with questions about precautions they should be taking and detecting signs of heat stress.