Beating the Dangerous Summer Heat
The summer months in Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie Counties bring elevated risk of dangerous weather conditions for our unhoused neighbors. Between severe storms, tornados, flooding, and extreme heat, folx who do not have access to shelter, water, and food are at an elevated risk to injury or death.
Threshold CoC works with our partners to increase awareness within the public on ways they can support safety measures and report concerns to the proper agencies. Our Continuum of Care (CoC) partners are also working to connect our unhoused neighbors with the resources they need to remain safe in the hot summer months.
As temperatures rise during the summer months, many of us look forward to sunny days and outdoor activities. However, for those experiencing homelessness, the heat brings a different kind of challenge—one that can pose significant health risks and dangers.
AZ Central reported 165 unhoused deaths in Maricopa County in July of 2022, Arizona’s hottest month of the year. Nebraskans and Iowans know that temperatures in our region also reach dangerous levels. Our CoC cannot overlook the dangers associated with exposure to the summer heat and must provide opportunities for unhoused folx to access shelter.
Health Risks
Unhoused individuals are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Factors like a simple lack of access to shade, sufficient hydration, and medical care can exacerbate these risks. Without a cool place to retreat, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to dehydration, which can be life-threatening.
If you or a neighbor is experiencing heat exhaustion or heat stroke, the American Red Cross recommends unique treatments for each. In both cases, you should monitor the affected person and contact 911 or emergency medical services.
Heat exhaustion is typically indicated by:
Heavy sweating
Cold, pale, and clammy skin
A fast, but weak pulse
Nausea and/or vomiting
Muscle cramps
Tiredness or weakness
Dizziness, headache, or passing out
To treat heat exhaustion:
Call 911 right away, then:
Move the impacted person to a cool place
Loosen any tight clothing
Cool the body using wet cloths, misting, fanning, or a cool bath
Encourage them to drink water very slowly
Get medical help right away if:
Vomiting occurs
Symptoms last longer than 1 hour or get worse
Confusion develops
Heat stroke is deadly and requires immediate emergency medical treatment, it is typically indicated by:
High body temperature (104°F or higher)
Hot, red, dry or damp skin
Fast, strong pulse
Headache-Dizziness
Nausea-Confusion-Passing out
To treat heat stroke:
Call 911 right away, then:
Move to a cool place
Cool the body using wet cloths, misting, fanning, or a cool bath
Do NOT give the person anything to drink
The American Red Cross recommends drinking plenty of water to prevent heat illness:
The average person needs approximately 3/4 of a gallon of water every day, but individual needs may vary.
Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.
If you are sweating a lot, combine water with snacks or a sports drink to replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
Limited Resources
Finding relief from the heat is not easy for the unhoused. Public spaces like parks or benches may offer temporary shade but can quickly become unbearable in extreme heat. Furthermore, urban camping bans and criminalization of homelessness can make open park shelters an untenable option for some of our neighbors. Access to water, crucial for staying hydrated, is often limited. Thus, Cooling Stations are an important consideration for CoCs.
Local shelters have capacity limits on a regular basis. During extreme weather events such as tornados, torrential rain, and flooding, these resources can be overwhelmed with the needs of the unhoused community. Safety shelters are more limited during summer’s extreme weather events for many reasons such as time of day, area in which they occur, communication channels with impacted populations, and more.
As indicated by the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC), the best way to prevent people from dying on the streets is to house them.
As we enjoy the warmth of summer, let's not forget that some of our neighbors face immense challenges due to the severe weather. By raising awareness, advocating for policies that support unhoused populations, and supporting existing CoC resources, we can make a meaningful difference in ensuring that everyone can stay safe and cool during the hottest months of the year.