Cooling Centers Open in Yorktown
June 28, 2021 - Two cooling centers will open in Yorktown today in response to extreme heat.
The cooling centers at the John C. Hart Memorial Library and the Jefferson Valley Mall will offer air conditioning during normal business hours through Wednesday. If a power outage occurs, Yorktown will activate an emergency cooling center at the Albert A. Capellini Community and Cultural Center.
“We recognize that some of our neighbors may not have air conditioning, or their conditioners have broken down, so we encourage these residents to seek cooling shelters if needed,” said Supervisor Matt Slater. “Anyone needing a cooling shelter should also be prepared to observe social distancing rules, including the use of face masks.”
In the event of a power outage, an emergency cooling center at the Albert A. Capellini Community and Cultural Center will allow residents to spend the night.
Today is the first heat emergency since last summer in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias. Because of the pandemic and a widespread power outage, Yorktown did not open cooling shelters last year, although the Jefferson Valley Mall hosted an emergency cooling and charging center at its food court during normal business hours.
Virtually all the town’s municipal buildings lacked power last year after Tropical Storm Isaias, forcing town officials to distribute dry ice and bottled water at outdoor locations.
Contact: Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater, 914-962-5722 x201 or mslater@yorktownny.org
Photo caption: Ice distribution in Yorktown in 2020 during the widespread power outage after Tropical Storm Isaias.
