Rise in heat-related deaths in Phoenix

Temperature is rising in New York, Chicago, elsewhere and many are feeling the heat, with Arizona getting the brunt of it. Temperatures in Phoenix have reached 110 degrees for nine days straight and on Sunday, the city hit a temperature of 116 degrees, an all-time record.

According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Arizona faces the worst rate of heat-exposure deaths among all U.S. states. Exposure to prolonged high temperatures can cause various heat-related illnesses, ranging from mild cramps to heat exhaustion or death.

The rise in heat-related deaths prompted the mayor to ask for water donations, mainly to help the homeless.

For the first time in years, homeless shelters opened their doors during the day to offer respite from the blistering sun, which has delivered above-average temperatures every day since June 29. Police began passing out thousands of water bottles donated by grocery stores, and city officials set up tents for shade downtown.

“I don’t know why I’m not burnt to pieces,” said Chris Cruse, 48, after taking refuge in a shelter.

Eleven of the victims since Saturday were homeless, and the other two were elderly women, including one whose home cooling system wasn’t on, police said yesterday.

In all of last year, the state Department of Health Services documented 34 heat-related deaths among Arizona residents. The first deaths were reported Saturday. By Wednesday, the forecast still called for a high of 108 degrees. Even during the coolest part of the day, the mercury has failed to descend lower than 89 degrees.

The shelter was also turning on hoses so transients could wet their clothes and had ordered 300 neckerchiefs that can be dipped in water and tied around the neck, said Bob Reed, a shelter manager.

Although the homeless are among those at highest risk, health officials warned that heat-related illnesses can strike people working outside.

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon said his office was seeking federal emergency help, even though government assistance is typically offered only for extreme cold weather, not blistering heat.

Maricopa County, including Phoenix and its suburbs, has a homeless population between 10,000 and 12,000 people, said Gloria Hurtado, the city’s human service director.