MESA, Ariz. — With summer right around the corner, some nonprofits are already preparing for the intense heat.
Stardust, a local nonprofit, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) spent Monday afternoon putting together more than a thousand heat relief kits for the Valley's most vulnerable population.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Organización sin fines de lucro en el valle se prepara para el caluroso verano con kits de alivio para los más necesitados
Karen Jayne is the CEO for Stardust and said this is the first year her organization has done something like this.
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“We noticed a need and after last year’s excessive heat we decided that we could actually make a difference here,” Jayne said.
The summer of 2023 in Arizona was the deadliest on record. With more than 600 people dying from heat-related causes. That's a 700% increase from a decade ago.
About half of the county's heat deaths in 2023 were reported in Phoenix zip codes. Mesa reported 51 deaths, Glendale reported 35 and Scottsdale reported 25.
About 78% of heat deaths were among males. The most prevalent age group consisted of people between 50 and 64.
The county's report shows about 75% of the Valley's heat deaths occurred outdoors. About 85% of the county's indoor heat deaths were in residences who had a non-functioning air conditioner.
Each one of the bags was filled with multiple items including water, sunscreen and a notecard that gives locations people can go to for help. They will be dropped off at heat relief centers stationed across the Valley.
While it's not clear how bad this upcoming summer for Arizona will be. Louisa Koch with NOAA said it's best to be prepared.
“Arizona is ground zero for the biggest heat impacts across the nation,” Koch said. “It’s really important not only to take care of yourself but also to take care of other people in your community.”
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