Read

Devil’s Pool attracts swimmers trying to beat Philly heat. But is it safe? (Billy Penn, July 5, 2026)

Wildlife road crossings and habitat will be focus of Shapiro administration working group (Pennsylvania Capital-Star, July 6, 2026)

50+ ways to help fight climate change (Philadelphia Citizen, July 9, 2026)

Levee plan not viable for Philly’s flood-prone Eastwick neighborhood, says U.S. Army Corps (WHYY, July 10, 2026)

This month, Philly has been experiencing high temperatures, record rainfall, and sudden storms.

• Flood warnings remain in effect for the region and Philly has set a rain record (Philadelphia Inquirer, July 9, 2026)
• Philadelphia heat-related death toll jumps to 7 fatalities in first week of July (WHYY, July 7, 2026)
• Why heat is so deadly and how to stay safe (Grist, July 9, 2026)
• As It Celebrates the Nation’s Past, Philadelphia Braces for a Hotter Future (Inside Climate News, July 10, 2026)
• What is a microburst? Philadelphia declares disaster emergency after Saturday storms uproot trees and cause major flooding (WHYY, July 12, 2026)
• Inside the Great Philadelphia Microburst Storm of 2026 (Philadelphia Magazine, July 13, 2026)

Prepare

There’s no time like the hot, humid present to make a disaster preparedness plan. Some suggestions:

• Sign up for ReadyPhiladelphia to receive text alerts for emergencies and severe weather.
• Identify the possible types of hazards that present risks where you live and review safety tips for each hazard.
  • Philadelphia’s How to Stay Safe guide includes signs of heat-related illness and tips to stay cool.
  • From WHYY: What should you do in a flash flood? Expert safety tips for before, during and after
• Create an emergency plan for your household (including pets!) for different types of hazards. Ready.gov has some suggestions to get started.

In addition, you can check on your neighborhood parks, especially if you live near one that was hit hard by Saturday’s microbursts (e.g. FDR Park, Wharton Square Park, Malcolm X Park). There may be community-organized cleanup efforts that could use your help.

Do

Moth Night at Penn Treaty Park
Wednesday, July 15 from 8 – 11 p.m.
Penn Treaty Park, 1301 N Beach Street
Come explore the nocturnal biodiversity of Fishtown at Moth night! We’ll gather and set up a sheet with UV lights that will attract insects. Who will we see? We don’t know! 

Community Level Disaster Response
Thursday, July 16 at 2 p.m.
DE National Estuarine Research Reserve. Webinar.
Learn the top 3 things you need to know about disaster response in Delaware at the community level.

Outdoors Online: Curious Caterpillars
Thursday, July 16 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Webinar, Natural Lands
Learn the incredible biology and facts of caterpillars and how to identify the caterpillars of common Pennsylvania butterflies and moths.

Moving into Major Heat (大暑)
Friday, July 17 at 7pm
Vox Populi, 319 N. 11th Street
Qigong, cooling herbs and beverages, and a zine compiling writings, resources, and reprints from people whose lived experience and expertise illuminate what it means to survive and thrive in the heat.

Printing with Plants Art Workshop
Saturday, July 18 from 10 a.m. – noon
Robert A. Borski, Jr. Park
In this free workshop, you will make original prints with plants gathered from Borski Park.

Plan ahead 

Foraging Walk along the Pennypack
Tuesday, July 21 from 1 – 2 p.m.