The first heat wave of the year is bearing down on the East Coast, and Newtown’s top officials are asking residents to be ready. 

Newtown’s offices of the First Selectman, Emergency Management, and the Health District on Wednesday, July 17, issued a joint press release, offering information “to prevent our citizens from becoming victims of the heat during these days of extremely high temperatures.

“The weather forecast is for hot temperatures rising from the 80s and into the 90s for several Days,” the release continued. 

Residents should feel free to visit the locations listed below to seek relief from the heat:

Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street (within Fairfield Hills), Monday through Thursday, from 7 am to 7 pm; Friday, from 7 am to 5 pm; and later when there are night meetings. The Office of the First Selectman can be reached at 203-270-4201, Emergency Management/The Office of the Fire Marshal can be reached at 203-270-4370, and Newtown Health District can be reached at 203- 270-4291.

Cyrenius Booth Library, 25 Main Street (203-426-4533) is open Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am to 8 pm; Friday, 11 am to 5 pm; and Saturday, 9:30 am to 5 pm.

Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street (film line is 203-426-2475). The ETH Theatre this week is screening Wonder Park and Pet Sematary; screening details are available on [naviga:u]our calendar page[/naviga:u]. The theater will be screening Avengers: Endgame beginning Friday, July 19. Tickets for all shows are $3 each.

Town officials are also encouraging residents to do shopping and other errands early in the day.

“Our grocery stores are full of healthy choices and air-conditioning, as are most of our local businesses,” they said. 

“We ask that you please check on any elderly or frail neighbors to be certain they are doing OK in this weather. You might want to suggest that they come to any of our ‘cool locations’ if their residence is overheated.

“Monitor your pets as well; keep them out of the sun – do not leave them in cars, even with the windows open, and be sure they have plenty of water.”

Additional suggestions include: 

*Drink plenty of water;

*Avoid strenuous activities;

*Take frequent rests for cooling down in an air conditioned area or near a fan;

*Wear light, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing;

*Avoid alcohol and caffeine and eat lightly throughout the day; and

*Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or long periods in the sun (especially between the hours of noon and 4 pm, which are the hottest hours during the day).

Heat related illness has some common symptoms that should be watched for, including dry, red-spotted skin, mental confusion, body temperature at or above 105 degrees Fahrenheit, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, headache, nausea, cramps, and rash.

If these symptoms are experienced, move the patient to a cooler location; loosen clothing; apply cool, wet cloths; and have them sip water. If the patient’s condition persists, call 911.

Heatwave Early Details

The National Weather Service is warning of an increasing chance of showers and thunderstorms across the tri-state region this afternoon and evening. 

“Any thunderstorms will contain heavy rain and possibly gusty winds,” the service announced Wednesday morning, July 17. “It will continue to be very warm and humid, with highs mainly in the upper 80s to the lower 90s, with lows Thursday morning in the lower and middle 70s.

“It will remain mostly cloudy and humid on Thursday with the ongoing chance of showers, with some of the rain being locally heavy. The rain will become less widespread and taper off during Thursday night,” the announcement continued.

Total rainfall amounts through Thursday evening are expected to range between 1-2 inches with locally higher amounts, according to the weather service.

Another warm front will lift well north of the region on Friday, however, again according to the weather service, “ushering in the hottest air mass of the season.

“Hot and humid conditions are expected through the weekend, with the hottest conditions expected during Friday afternoon and Saturday.”

Excessive heat and humidity are becoming increasingly likely on Saturday across the region, according to a Hazardous Weather Outlook issued late morning July 17. The notice warns of “high temperatures ranging from the mid 90s to around 100, along with maximum heat index values between 105 and 110.”