Phoenix (AZ Family) — Maricopa County's heat alert is about to end, but with temperatures rising again, what does that mean for vulnerable people?
“We have a long hot season with temperatures continuing to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit well into the end of September, so we need to continue to be mindful of the heat and how it's impacting our residents,” said Dr. Nick Staab, deputy medical director for the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.
Staab says the county has worked hard to help residents stay cool this summer, and the county extended its cooling center hours in response to the extreme heat the Valley region experienced.
Maricopa County said 283 cases have been confirmed so far in 2024. Death from heatstrokeAnother 381 people remain under investigation, slightly lower than last year, when the county recorded 645 heat-related deaths.
Cesar Pérez Guillen, 50, was a Valley resident who died in the heat this year.
Phoenix police discovered Guillen's body in mid-July in his apartment at the Canyon Club Apartments, the day the high temperature hit 112 degrees Fahrenheit.
George Golson, Guillen's roommate, said the air conditioning in their room wasn't working a few days before Guillen's death.
According to Golson, the last thing Guillén said to him was, “George, I'm tired.” Golson responded, “Yeah, me too. I'm sweating.”
The property management company says they are investigating what happened.
For those suffering from the heat, much of the relief will last only a few days. Heatstroke Prevention Network It's a partnership between the Maricopa Association of Governments, cities, nonprofits, businesses and community groups. The network is made up of cooling, rest and hydration centers.
A spokesperson for MAG said the group is working with counties this week to gather data. Heat relief map They will remain open through October, and some hydration stations, cooling centers and rest centers will remain open after September 30.
The specific location has not yet been announced.
“A big part of our effort is getting the community to join us in this and make sure they're reaching out to their neighbors, family and friends who may be at high risk,” Dr. Staab said.
Phoenix's heat relief measures are also set to end at the end of this month, and the city says it will announce soon whether it will extend those measures.
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