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**Abnorttrano** · 06-09-2008, 11:43 PM

Scorching Heat Blankets East Coast

Beachgoers at Orchard Beach in the Bronx on Monday. The red flag signified strong currents.

By JOHN HOLUSHA
Published: June 10, 2008

Scorching heat and stifling humidity gripped much of the East Coast on Monday, with the National Weather Service issuing heat advisories as temperatures approached 100 degrees in many areas.

The heat wave is expected to last into Tuesday and prompted officials in Philadelphia and Connecticut to send students in public and parochial schools home early both days and cancel evening programs, The Associated Press reported. The heat caused power failures that interrupted some subway service in New York.

The New York City Office of Emergency Management said it was opening cooling centers for people who do not have air conditioning, and other cities are making similar arrangements. Officials urged relatives and neighbors to check in on elderly, housebound people, who are most in danger during hot spells.

The hot weather extended from New England down through the Middle Atlantic states into the Carolinas.

Weather officials said heat waves are not just uncomfortable, they are dangerous. “Heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer,” the weather service said. “On average, more than 1,500 people in the U.S. die each year from excessive heat.”

That is more than the deaths attributed to tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and lightning combined, the agency said.

In New York City, service on the F and G subway lines in Brooklyn was disrupted during Monday’s rush hour by power failures on the subway signals. Officials of New York City Transit said generators were being sent to the affected areas so service could be resumed.

Paul Fleuranges, a spokesman for the transit system, said the problem was relatively minor, but critical. “We have third-rail power. That hasn’t been affected. So we can move trains, but without signals we can’t operate safely, which is why we have to bring in generators.”

Sunday’s high temperature in Central Park was 93 degrees, just shy of the 95-degree record for the date.

As the East steamed, large areas of the Midwest were struggling with flooding and bracing for more rain. Heavy weekend downpours sent river out of their banks, covering roadways and flooding newly planted farm fields.

Indiana was particularly hard hit, with President Bush declaring a major disaster in 29 of its counties late Sunday night. The National Weather Service predicted that 1 to 3 inches of rains was likely to fall Monday in addition to the 11 inches that fell on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Gov. Jim Doyle of Wisconsin declared an emergency in 29 counties and Gov. Chet Culver of Iowa sought federal assistance to cope with problems in nearly a third of the state’s 99 counties.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/us...hp&oref=slogin

Copyright 2008 New York Times Company

06-09-2008, 11:43 PM	#2
Abnorttrano Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 533 Senior Member	Scorching Heat Blankets East Coast Beachgoers at Orchard Beach in the Bronx on Monday. The red flag signified strong currents. By JOHN HOLUSHA Published: June 10, 2008 Scorching heat and stifling humidity gripped much of the East Coast on Monday, with the National Weather Service issuing heat advisories as temperatures approached 100 degrees in many areas. The heat wave is expected to last into Tuesday and prompted officials in Philadelphia and Connecticut to send students in public and parochial schools home early both days and cancel evening programs, The Associated Press reported. The heat caused power failures that interrupted some subway service in New York. The New York City Office of Emergency Management said it was opening cooling centers for people who do not have air conditioning, and other cities are making similar arrangements. Officials urged relatives and neighbors to check in on elderly, housebound people, who are most in danger during hot spells. The hot weather extended from New England down through the Middle Atlantic states into the Carolinas. Weather officials said heat waves are not just uncomfortable, they are dangerous. “Heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer,” the weather service said. “On average, more than 1,500 people in the U.S. die each year from excessive heat.” That is more than the deaths attributed to tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and lightning combined, the agency said. In New York City, service on the F and G subway lines in Brooklyn was disrupted during Monday’s rush hour by power failures on the subway signals. Officials of New York City Transit said generators were being sent to the affected areas so service could be resumed. Paul Fleuranges, a spokesman for the transit system, said the problem was relatively minor, but critical. “We have third-rail power. That hasn’t been affected. So we can move trains, but without signals we can’t operate safely, which is why we have to bring in generators.” Sunday’s high temperature in Central Park was 93 degrees, just shy of the 95-degree record for the date. As the East steamed, large areas of the Midwest were struggling with flooding and bracing for more rain. Heavy weekend downpours sent river out of their banks, covering roadways and flooding newly planted farm fields. Indiana was particularly hard hit, with President Bush declaring a major disaster in 29 of its counties late Sunday night. The National Weather Service predicted that 1 to 3 inches of rains was likely to fall Monday in addition to the 11 inches that fell on Saturday. Elsewhere, Gov. Jim Doyle of Wisconsin declared an emergency in 29 counties and Gov. Chet Culver of Iowa sought federal assistance to cope with problems in nearly a third of the state’s 99 counties. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/us...hp&oref=slogin Copyright 2008 New York Times Company
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