The Rochester area is getting ready for some of the hottest weather of the season with temperatures soaring into the nineties, feels like temp in the 100s.

The city has now declared a cool sweep emergency and will open cooling centers to provide residents a break from the unbearable heat.

Health experts encourage people to do what they can to stay inside in the air conditioning.

Monroe County is extending public swimming hours at Ontario Beach Park and other counties are also providing information to help folks beat the heat.

From Thursday through Saturday, lifeguards will be on duty and public swimming will be allowed to continue at Ontario Beach Park for an extra hour - until 8 p.m., so long as water conditions remain favorable.

The National Weather Service has provided tips on what precautions to take when the mercury soars:  

  • Slow down. Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day.
  • Children, seniors and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest available place – that may not necessarily be indoors.
  • Dress for summer – wear lightweight, loose fitting, light colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
  • Eat light, cool, easy to digest foods such as fruits or salads and pack food in coolers with ice packs and don’t leave food in the sun.
  • Drink plenty of water even if you don’t feel thirsty and avoid alcoholic and caffeinated fluids.
  •  Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries.
  • Use portable electric fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or to draw in cooler air.
  • Do not direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when the room temperature is hotter than 90 degrees.  The drying blowing air will dehydrate you faster.
  • Minimize direct exposure to the sun – as sunburn reduces your body’s ability to dissipate heat.
  • Take a cool bath or shower.

The National Weather Service also suggests checking in on older, sick or frail people who may need help during the heat wave and to hold off on those outdoor chores until the heat passes.

For pets, be sure they have plenty of water and leave them home with a place to cool off.

Those who go swimming in open waterways are reminded by the Ontario County Public Health department to look before they leap and make sure to only go into waters that do not have blue-green algae.

City of Rochester Cool Sweep Heat Emergency operations take place at the following locations and times:

Heat Emergency Cooling Locations:

  • Carter Street R-Center gym, Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 500 Carter St.
  • Arnett Branch Library, Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 310 Arnett Blvd.
  • Lincoln Branch Library, Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 6 p.m., 851 Joseph Ave.
  • Maplewood Branch Library, Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 1111 Dewey Ave.
  • Winton Road Branch Library, Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 611 N. Winton Rd.

Hydrant Location (noon to 4 p.m.):

  • Baden Park, Vienna Street gateway

Spray Parks (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.):

  • Carter Street R-Center, 500 Carter St.
  • Campbell Street R-Center, 524 Campbell St.
  • Edgerton R-Center, 41 Backus St.
  • Humboldt R-Center, 1045 Atlantic Ave.
  •  David F. Gantt R-Center, 700 North St.
  • Thomas P. Ryan R-Center, 530 Webster Ave.
  • Roxie Sinkler R-Center, 75 Grover St.

Spray Features – (not a full spray park, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.):

  • Fourth and Peck Playground, Corner of Fourth and Peck Streets  
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Park playground, 353 Court St. (Residents are asked NOT to wade in the fountains)
  • Troup Street Park, Troup Street and Van Auker Street (between Reynolds Street and Ford Street)


Swimming Opportunities and Hours of Operation:

  • Avenue D R-Center Pool: Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 200 Avenue D
  • Freddie Thomas High School: Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., 625 Scio St.
  • Flint Street R-Center Pool: Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 271 Flint St.
  • Genesee Valley Park Pool: Friday and Saturday, noon to 9 p.m., 131 Elmwood Ave.
  • Adams Street R-Center: Friday, Noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 85 Adams Street.