ALLENTOWN, Pa. — City officials are offering free pool admission for residents as dangerously hot temperatures are expected to overtake the Lehigh Valley.
From noon to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, residents can get into three pools — Cedar Beach, 101 N. Ott St.; Mack, 1901 Mack Blvd.; and Irving, 701 N. Irving St. — for free, city Communications Director Genesis Ortega said.
Identification is required, and a school ID works for those under 18.
City officials will continue to monitor temperatures and make a determination if Wednesday also will be an admission-free day, Ortega said.
Similarly, Bethelehem is offering free pool admission from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday for city residents. Pools include: Clearview, 2246 Pinehurst Road; Stark, 2410 Siegfried St.; Westside, 244 13th Ave.; and Yosko, 617 Atlantic St.
Easton Administrator Luis E. Campos said the city’s Public Works Department from noon to 6 p.m. will turn on various fire hydrants for residents.
They include: Reeder and Parsons at March School, in the city's College Hill neighborhood; Wilkesbarree and McKeen streets, Milton and Reynolds streets and Charles and Kleinhans streets on the South Side; and 11th and Butler streets, the 12st Street side of Paxinosa, Ninth and Jackson streets, and 11th and Ferry streets in the West Ward.
"The city partners with local organizations to determine cooling centers," Campos said in a Friday email. "We are currently reaching out to the community to identify potential locations.
"Once confirmed they are registered with the city’s emergency management coordinator."
Fire trucks, spray parks
In Allentown, city fire trucks will be posted from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at four city parks to create water curtains.
They are: Roosevelt, 802 S. Filmore St.; Jordan, 1201 N. Sixth St.; Fountain, 1200 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive; and Union Terrace, 2002 Union St.
They city’s free spray parks, which are sensor-activated and open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., include: Bucky Boyle Park, 10 Pump Place; Old Fairgrounds, North Fifth and West Liberty streets; and Valania Park, 531 Union St.
For senior citizens, air conditioning is available at Allentown Public Library, 1210 Hamilton St., and Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 Elm St.
Extreme heat expected
The National Weather Service on Saturday announced the Lehigh Valley — along with a large swath of Pennsylvania — is under an extreme heat warning for the front half of next week.
The warning is in effect from Sunday morning through Wednesday evening next week, with dangerously hot conditions expected.National Weather Service
The warning will be in effect from Sunday morning through Wednesday evening, with dangerously hot conditions expected.
Heat index values up to 108 are possible, the weather service said.
Bethlehem officials have no plans to open any cooling centers, officials said Friday.
However, they are encouraging residents to stay cool by:
- Spending time in air-conditioned spaces or visiting public places such as libraries, shopping centers and community centers
- Drinking plenty of water throughout the day
- Limiting outdoor activity during peak heat hours
- Wearing lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
The city also has five public pools and a splash parks.
Take extra precaution
Northampton County Emergency Management Coordinator Todd Weaver said residents should take extra precautions during the hot weather.
“We encourage everyone to stay hydrated, limit time outdoors, check on vulnerable neighbors, and seek out air-conditioned spaces during the hottest parts of the day.”Northampton County Emergency Management Coordinator Todd Weaver
“Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, and prolonged exposure can have serious health consequences," Weaver said in an email.
"Particularly for children, seniors and individuals without access to air conditioning.
“While the operation of cooling centers and emergency shelters is the responsibility of individual municipalities, the county works closely with local emergency management partners to monitor openings and provide support as needed.
“We encourage everyone to stay hydrated, limit time outdoors, check on vulnerable neighbors, and seek out air-conditioned spaces during the hottest parts of the day.”
