According to the National Weather Service, excessive heat warnings are issued when a county’s heat index reaches 105° F or greater, which studies show significantly increases mortality for people in the affected area. Maricopa County received its first Excessive Heat Warning this year on May 6.
The extreme temperatures Maricopa County often experiences make it difficult for homeless individuals to find respite from the heat or stay hydrated throughout the day. Sometimes, Phoenix temperatures do not even fall below 90° F at night. The Arizona Department of Economic Security states, “when temperatures are unable to drop low enough at night, the homeless population is unable to adequately cool off and become at higher risk for illness and even death.”
The Arizona DES also says that many heat related illnesses are caused by dehydration of the body, meaning that drinking the amount of water that is perspired throughout the day is important. On a hot day in the Valley, a person can produce as much as 3 gallons of sweat. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are common illnesses that can affect people facing over-exposer to the heat in Maricopa County. Heat exhaustion is a precursor to heat stroke, which can lead to death if not treated quickly.
Every year for the last few years, the record number of heat related deaths in Maricopa County has been broken. As stated in news articles by AZ Central and WBUR, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health recorded 172 heat related deaths in 2017, compared to 150 in 2016 and 85 in 2015.
St. Vincent de Paul is trying to combat these high records of heat related illnesses and deaths by distributing as many as 3,400 bottles of water a day and opening their facilities for extended hours to homeless individuals across the Valley to give them relief from the heat. The Phoenix Rescue Mission says, “more than 25,800 people in Maricopa County have no place to call home”. With numbers like, St. Vincent de Paul still has quite a feat ahead of them.
This year, the West & SouthEast REALTORS® of the Valley wanted to aid in their efforts of Hydrating the Homeless. The idea for the water drive, which ran from July 9-August 31, 2018, originated from the West Valley WeSERV Member Engagement Council. Thanks to WeSERV REALTORS®, affiliates, volunteers, and staff, WeSERV was able to raise $1,050 and 226 cases of water to donate to St. Vincent de Paul.
Read the letter from St. Vincent de Paul
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the effort of Hydrating the Homeless.
