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Officials in Maricopa County, Arizona, are investigating over 300 deaths possibly linked to the record-setting heat wave that has blanketed much of the country throughout July.
As temperatures approached 120 degrees in and around Phoenix, health officials said they are investigating 322 heat-related deaths through the week ending on July 13. So far this year, there have been 23 confirmed heat-related deaths in Maricopa County, nearly double the number at the same time last year.
According to the data, nearly 40% of those who died were homeless.
“We know that June was hotter than June last year,” Maricopa County Public Health’s Assistant Medical Director Nick Staab told KPNX. “We know that the risk for heat-related death increases with those higher temperatures."
According to NBC News, there have been 73 heat-related deaths across the country in 2024.
The temperatures will continue to hover around 110 degrees for the foreseeable future, though temperatures aren't expected to reach record levels.