More cities move aggressively to stop heat deaths

PHOENIX – The homeless woman was nauseated, dizzy, drenched with sweat, dehydrated and sobbing with fear. She had heat exhaustion and was on the verge of heat stroke. But she had come to the right place, a church turned into a refuge from the overpowering heat.

“She was out of her mind almost, just mentally, emotionally and physically drained,” said Arlene Atkin, a registered nurse and pastor at North Hills Church. “She was absolutely at the point of going under.”



In recent years, deadly heat waves have killed dozens to hundreds of people at a time in various U.S. cities, often catching local officials unprepared. Climate scientists say more killer heat waves lie ahead with global warming, and city officials are taking note.

… Many cities have learned that the hard way.

Most of Phoenix’s now extensive efforts began after the summer of 2005, when temperatures hit at least 110 on 24 days; 80 people died.

AP