Summertime Blues: Hottest city in the US braces for more scorching days as September outlook is bleak

Phoenix, Arizona: It is the hottest summer on record for Arizona and Phoenix has hit its 100th day of triple-digit temperatures this year, marking the longest streak in recorded history. So the ine question on everyone's mind is...when will this oppressive heat end? The troubling answer is not anytime soon. Experts predict the city will likely break even more records for the number of days exceeding 110F.

So far in 2024, Maricopa County has reported 177 confirmed heat-related deaths, a slightly lower figure compared to this time last year. However, the heat's deadly toll remains a concern, with over 430 additional deaths currently under investigation. This number is also lower than last year's at this point, but with a hotter-than-average September expected, health officials are extending efforts to mitigate the dangers.

12News spoke to Stephanie Martinez, from Circle the City, which provides healthcare for the homeless. Martinez highlighted the increased efforts to provide relief to those most vulnerable.

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"We’ve added additional street medicine teams and are administering dehydration treatments to patients," Martinez said. She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the availability of cooling centers and other resources during these hazardous conditions.

Despite the extended efforts, Martinez acknowledged the challenges, saying, "It's still just as hot, but as an organization, we have tried to meet the greater need the best that we can."