
A Heat Wave has fallen upon the City of Brotherly Love. As the city experiences its first wave of the year, Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services has declared a Code Red.
A Code Red In Philadelphia
The heat is sweltering and temperatures are rising. Specifically, through Thursday, high temperatures will be in the mid or high 90s across the city and region.
However, with increased humidity, the heat index could reach very well over 100 degrees. This means things can be dangerously hot.
As a result of the excessive heat, the city’s Office of Homeless Services has declared a Code Red until further notice.
Under a Code Red, the city implements 24-hour outreach to transport unhoused people to safe indoor spaces and opens all available beds within the city’s emergency housing network.
Temperatures aren’t expected to cool down and will increase later in the week. Therefore, the Code Red will stay in effect until further notice.
A Heat Wave In Philadelphia
Additionally, a Heat Advisory will be in effect from 10 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Thursday for Southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and portions of northern Delaware. Heat index values up to 96 degrees are expected.
Lastly, an Excessive Heat Watch will be in effect for Southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and portions of northern Delaware from Thursday morning through Sunday evening, with dangerously hot conditions and heat index values up to 105 degrees possible.
According to the National Weather Service, the potential for heat-related illnesses will “significantly increase”, due to extreme heat and humidity.
What You Can Do To Help
With dangerous temperatures and extreme heat, there are things you can do to help.
The most important is to check on elderly neighbors and relatives. During extreme heat, check in on elderly neighbors and relatives.
Here are important resources to utilize during this time:
- Call 911 ff you see someone experiencing symptoms of heatstroke (rapid breathing, chest pains, difficulty breathing)
- Philadelphia Corporation for Aging free HeatLine during Heat Health Emergencies– 215-765-9040
- Homeless Outreach hotline – 215-232-1984 call if you see someone who is unhoused during a Code Red
Important to note, stay hydrated and stay cool Philadelphia.