Heat Relief Sites Remain Open in Phoenix as Dangerous Record Heat Continues into October

Sunday October 12, 2024, 1:45PM MST Almost two weeks into October and the record heat wave continues to rock the valley, causing the local government to extend the opening and access of Heat Relief Sites across Phoenix.

With temperatures topping out the last few weeks up to110 degrees some of these sites such as a Cooling Center provide a safe space to pause, hydrate, and regain the energy one needs to continue throughout the day. As of October 10^th, of this year there were 339 heat related deaths within Maricopa County where almost 45% of those are the unhoused or indigent.

“I mean it helps a little bit, but I think they can do more for us out here living in the streets,” says Natalie Carrillo. “I have been coming here almost every day for the last three months to get water and catch my breath.”

Natalie has been homeless for almost over a year and she remains around the Downton Phoenix area because of the Cooling Center located at the Burton Barr Central Library in Downton is available 24 hours a day, one of two Cooling Centers in Phoenix that provide 24-hour services. There are a total of 95 Heat Relief Sites in Phoenix, ranging from Cooling  Centers, Respite Centers, and Hydration Stations. Due to the unseasonable heat coming into October they extended some of their operation until October 13^th.

“I see the struggle here in Downtown Phoenix on a daily basis,” says Anshula Kulkarni. “It’s terrifying that some of these homeless people will literally sit down or lay down anywhere to get rest or relief.” “I can literally look out of my window in the morning and see them curled up downstairs under the Salvation Army building located across from my apartment.

Kulkarni has been living downtown part time for over six months in a newly developed luxury high rise apartment building, and she has a bird’s eye view of the southwest direction of the area. Kulkarni says she has heard about the homeless and heat issues that plague the area but wasn’t prepared for what she has witnessed since living there.

“I know that with the heat comes stress and agitation and it’s no wonder that there’s a lot of activity involving violence and crime in the area.”

Brian, the Director of the Burton Barr Central Library Cooling Center location agreed to show us the inside of the center, but quickly changed his mind after a short phone call. Brian, who refused to provide a last name, said that we could not shoot video inside due to the protection of their clients, by clients he meant the patrons that have come inside to get relief from the heat. Brian quickly went inside saying that he would be back out to provide a contact person to speak to, thus never retuning with that or any other information.

With temperatures in Phoenix predicted to be no higher than 100 degrees for the next few days and possible rain and temperatures reaching into the low 80s and high 70s, there seems to be some relief in sight, and the heat spell could actually be over for the rest of this year.  At the same time, the Burton Barr Central Library Cooling Center plans to end their services on October 15^th and if anyone needs additional help, they are told to call the 211 for local community and services and resources or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.