Fierce Heat Wave Killing Phoenix Residents
Posted on July 21, 2005
An intense heat wave has killed 18 people so far in Phoenix, Arizona. On July 18, 2005 the city hit a record high minimum temperature of 91 degrees. Highs have been over 110 degrees multiple times this July. The city has opened shelters to help some of the city's 10,000 to 20,000 homeless people find cool shelter. Tents of also been set up in the downtown area. MSNBC.com has a report on the deadly heat wave.
"I don't know why I'm not burnt to pieces," said Chris Cruse, 48, after taking refuge in a shelter.Four more bodies were found Wednesday. Fourteen of the victims were thought to be homeless. Authorities did not know if a man found by the side of a road Sunday had a permanent residence.
The other three victims were elderly women, including one whose home cooling system was not on, police said.
"Most of us just run from air-conditioned box to air-conditioned box, so it's hard to imagine how omnipresent the heat really is for the homeless here," said Phoenix police Sgt. Randy Force.
