Tri-State under excessive heat warning

(New York-WABC, July 31, 2006) (WABC) -- With a summer scorcher underway, Con Ed officials warn residents in northwest Queens to conserve power, otherwise they could overload the system and face a blackout all over again.

Eyewitness News reporter Tim Fleischer reports that in Queens and throughout the city, the concern for power comes as Con Edison was highly criticized by city council members investigating the recent power outage that crippled portions for Queens for nearly 10 days.

Meanwhile, The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for the Tri-State in effect from 12 p.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

And because of the dangerously high temperatures, Mayor Michael Bloomberg declared a heat emergency in the city. City agencies, under guidance from the Office of Emergency Management, are taking whatever steps they can to help residents.

Bloomberg: "The City will take all the steps it can to combat this week's oppressive heat. ... I urge all New Yorkers - especially seniors - to try to beat the heat by drinking plenty of water, staying out of the sun, avoiding strenuous activity, and taking advantage of City cooling centers and public pools. "

The city's 383 cooling centers have been open since the weekend, and the Parks Department is extending public pool operating hours on days over 95 degrees this week. The Parks Department also operates more than 600 spray showers throughout the five boroughs. New Yorkers can call 311 for information on city pool, spray showers, and cooling center locations and hours.