HUDSON COUNTY – New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection has issued an air quality alert for Hudson County until 10 p.m. tonight. This means that ground level ozone in the area may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.
This alert comes on a day when local temperatures could reach 93 degrees, not including the heat index, and a day that could be the start of a weeklong heat wave. Temperatures are expected to top 90 degrees through the weekend and are expected to be accompanied by high humidity.
Municipalities throughout Hudson County will be announcing where residents can find cooling centers. Check your city’s website throughout the week for updates and new centers.
In Jersey City residents who need to cool off this week at the following public libraries:
• Five Corners Library, 678 Newark Avenue
Hours: Monday, noon – 8 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 10a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Jersey City Main Library, 472 Jersey Avenue
Hours: Monday, 9a.m. – 6p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The city’s two air-conditioned community centers – the Mary McLeod Bethune Community Life Center and Pershing Field Community Center – will also be open for use as cooling centers. Bethune, located at140 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pershing Field Community Center, at the corner of Summit Avenue and Pershing Field Plaza, is open weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Two senior centers – the Joseph Connors Senior Center and the Maureen Collier Senior center – will be open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday. The city will use both center as cooling stations. The Connors Senior Center is located at 28 Paterson Street, off of Central Avenue. The Collier Center can be found at 335 Bergen Avenue, between Ege Avenue and Virginia Avenue.
The city asks that residents check on their elderly and disabled neighbors and family members often during the heat wave to ensure that they are staying hydrated and cool.
Residents can also cool off with the help of sprinkler systems that run in the following city parks between 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.: Pershing Field, Audubon Park, Terrace Park, Arlington Park, Dr. Lena Edwards Park, Thomas McGovern Park, Roberto Clemente Park,Virginia Avenue Park, Rev. Ercel Webb/Lafayette, Park, Venator Watson Park, Hamilton Park, and Columbia Park.
Throughout the heat wave, it’s best to exercise common sense. Drink lots of water and juice and avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages, which can lead to dehydration. Wear loose-fitting lightweight clothing.
Don’t leave children or pets unattended in cars. – E. Assata Wright
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