Multiple shark sightings at New York City's Rockaway Beach, likely prompting closures amid intense heat wave
An intense heat dome has pushes the heat index above 100 degrees in New York City.
Shark spotted swimming off Rockaway Beach, New York
FILE - New York Police Department drone video shows a shark swimming off Rockaway Beach near Beach 127 on July 14, 2024.
NEW YORK — Multiple shark sightings were reported Thursday at New York City's Rockaway Beach, the city's largest beach, prompting officials to warn beachgoers to expect "intermittent closures" as an intense heat dome pushes the heat index above 105 degrees.
The city's emergency management agency said they received multiple shark sightings at the Queens beach on Thursday and asked those trying to escape the heat to follow guidance from on-duty lifeguards.
NEW YORK CITY - JUNE 29: People cool off at Coney Island beach on June 29, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
((Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) / Getty Images)
New York City announced Wednesday that additional cooling centers will be open through July 5, including the Jacob Javits Convention Center, a 3.4 million square foot facility. This is in addition to new, mobile cooling vans that will also allow city workers to provide hot weather wellness checks.
Check back for updates on this developing story.