KEY POINTS

  • Power outages were reported in different parts of New York City On Wednesday
  • De Blasio said the city's electric system is under severe strain
  • He expects the temperature to come down by Thursday

As New York City continues to reel under an intense heatwave, Mayor Bill de Blasio has requested residents to "immediately" cut down electricity consumption to reduce the risk of power disruptions.

The city is facing a heat emergency, with temperatures soaring into the triple digits in some areas. LaGuardia Airport recorded an all-time high of 100 degrees Wednesday.

De Blasio said the city's electric system is under real strain and urged people to reduce the use of electricity in homes and businesses.

"We need people to take immediate action," the mayor said in a news conference Wednesday.

"Our electric system is dealing with real strain right now because of the severity of heat we are experiencing today, after four days in a roll of intense heat," De Blasio said.

There were reports of power outages in different parts of New York City on Wednesday, ABC News reported. The city's energy supplier, Con Edison, reduced voltage by 8% to certain neighborhoods in Queens on Wednesday to carry out repair works.

The company had asked customers in these areas not to use energy-intensive appliances such as washers, dryers and microwaves until crews complete repairs. They requested people to limit unnecessary use of air conditioning. The company also distributed dry ice in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn that experienced a power outage due to heatwave Wednesday.

"We need everyone to turn things down, turn things off immediately," De Blasio said. "Don't have lights on if you don't need them."

"We're at the end of this heatwave," the mayor added. "But it really has added up. We're very hopeful the heat will break in the early morning hours tomorrow. But we've got to get to that point safely."

The extreme weather is wreaking havoc in the United States and Canada, killing more than 500 people. According to Oregon's State Medical Examiner's Office, at least 63 people have died in the Pacific Northwest since last Friday due to the heatwave, NBC reported. The temperatures are expected to come down by Thursday morning.

Eastern Canada and the US have posted record temperatures during an extreme heat waves, map showing forecast temperatures to July 1, 2021
Eastern Canada and the US have posted record temperatures during an extreme heat waves, map showing forecast temperatures to July 1, 2021 AFP / Patricio ARANA
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