The US extreme heat has already claimed lives in Phoenix, with the Maricopa County Health Department reporting 12 heat-related deaths in 2023, and another 55 deaths under investigation.
The NWS Phoenix took to Twitter on Sunday, warning, “Record heat continues across the region today and through most of this upcoming week”. Alongside this warning, they shared essential safety tips such as keeping well-hydrated and checking on vulnerable family members and neighbors.
Vulnerable Populations at Risk Amidst US Extreme Heat
David Hondula, Phoenix’s Chief Heat Officer, warned ahead of the weekend about the escalating situation, “This weekend there will be some of the most serious and hot conditions we’ve ever seen”.
Hondula mentioned that the Brian Garcia Welcome Center, a refuge for homeless individuals in downtown Phoenix, planned to remain open 24 hours, directing people to shelters and other air-conditioned spaces.
However, the shortage of nighttime cooling centers has been a point of concern, leading to criticism from advocates for the homeless.
The Deadly Impact of US Extreme Heat
Highlighting the dangers of the US extreme heat, police officers in the Phoenix suburb of Surprise shared an incident involving two elderly women suffering in their home with temperatures reaching 114°F (45.5°C). The pair was reliant on a small, overworked air-conditioning unit, which failed to cool most of the house adequately.
