In Phoenix, Homeless Battle Summer Heat

by 158 | July 12, 2009 at 08:00 am

200 views | 54 Recommendations | 17 comments

In Phoenix in the summer temperatures

average 108F-42C and often hit 115F-

44C- with a record if 122F-59C. There

is little rain with sunshine of 14 hours a day.

Night time temperatures average 85F-29C=

and often are over 90F-32C for a low.

It's not unusual for dozens of people to die every summer from heat exposure in the Phoenix area. In 2002, one of the hottest years in the past decade, more than 100 perished in the Arizona sun. Richard Chamberlain, who is newly homeless, says just last week he saw a man who died on the street — likely the third heat-related death of this summer.

In southern Arizona dozens of

people die from heat each year.

In addition many more illegal

immigrants die trying to cross

the desert from Mexico.

Outside a homeless shelter in downtown Phoenix, a few dozen people are vying for every scrap of shade on the lot. It's not even lunchtime, and already a thermometer reads 104 degrees. As one visitor put it, "This city is hotter than three hells."

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CJaye

at 11:51 on July 12th, 2009

Sad story the heat is serious business. Many die from Heat strokes all over the US and world every year. You'd think Arizona is aware of the problem they should try to get a grip on the problem before the temps get so high. ie, bottle water, ice,shelter.

158

at 11:54 on July 12th, 2009

I agree. One problem is Phoenix s growing fast and so is the homeless population.

Another problem is many of the homeless are illegal immigrants who do not want to regester with a government agence for fear of deportation.

158

at 11:52 on July 12th, 2009

In Phoenix many of the homeless live in the dry river bed of the Salt river where a few small desert bushes give some shade. The river is dry 50 weeks or more a year but after a heavy thunderstorm it can flood and wash away tents and people.

sara star

at 11:58 on July 12th, 2009

Gosh, their nighttime low is our daytime high (Halifax, Canada). I hope they can find enough water...

This story goes along with another one today...http://my.nowpublic.com/world/economic-casualties-pile-tent-cities

158

at 12:03 on July 12th, 2009

It takes some time to adjust.I have been in Phoenix in the summer,

People there stay inside as much as possible in the daytime and always carry water.

I will check the link. Thanks.

Yuliya Talmazan

at 13:04 on July 12th, 2009

That is really unfortunate. Changing seasons are always a source of distress for the homeless population in any city. Thanks for posting.

158

at 13:27 on July 12th, 2009

True but in Phoenix winter is comfortable to be outside.

manishfusion (not verified)

at 14:05 on July 12th, 2009

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roxyFLU

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Canadian Merchant Account

manishfusion (not verified)

at 14:06 on July 12th, 2009

hiiiii you are right this site is really nice........ you are right hmmmm and i agree with you

keep rocking me awesome with me :)

----------

roxyFLU

------------

Canadian Merchant Account

manishfusion (not verified)

at 14:10 on July 12th, 2009

hiiiii you are right this site is really nice........ you are right hmmmm and i agree with you

keep rocking me awesome with me :)

----------

roxyFLU

------------

Canadian Merchant Account

158

at 14:16 on July 12th, 2009

Thank you much

Some12squeeze

at 13:22 on July 12th, 2009

Isn't Phoenix always hot? There are plenty of places on the planet that 42C is an average day. I'm pretty sure those defending our freedom are suffering under far worse conditions. I've worked outside in similar temperatures for months on end. A little bit of education goes a long way. I'ts just a matter of common sense & getting acclimatised. Staying inside means they're sitting on their R's which is the worse thing you can do. You have to move around to circulate the air & to process your fluids so you can keep drinking water. I'm not meaning to have a go at anyone but once again it seems common sense isn't as common as you think. As for those deaths, some social compassion would probably have prevented quite a few of those homeless & elderly from dying.

A trick the farmers in Oz use is freezing a wet hanky or tea towel & wearing it around your neck or under your hat. It's magic on a hot day.

158

at 13:32 on July 12th, 2009

Phoenix is hot from April through October. From November to March it is fairly comfortable,

In January the high temperature is 70F-31C.

The Iraq temperature in summer is about 5F-3C- higher than Phoenix.

You present some good ideas for getting acclimatized.

Some12squeeze

at 13:52 on July 12th, 2009

31c is a nice day in Oz. I'm sorry if I sounded unsympathetic but I find often that sympathy has a way of brain-washing a victim into a sense of hoplessness & self pity for a situation that is comparitively minor from a global view. I was glad to read that you simplified the issue by presenting it in it's true light. You have lived there and yet managed to adapt to it. You are obviously one of those rare people who does possess common sense. I really think that social inhumanity is the reason for the loss of life & not the high temperatures. (Although I cannot imagine anything surviving 59c!) I doubt either of us would ever be guilty of neglecting to offer shelter if we were aware of someone in need, which is the point I was trying to put across.