While Arizona’s summer of record-breaking high temperatures and excessive heat warnings continue, we are also expecting to get a break with some rain soon. Monsoon continues until the end of September, providing some relief with rain, but also posing its own hazards.
While many Arizonans may know the basics of summer safety like avoiding going outside during the hottest part of the day and drinking plenty of water, they may not be aware of some of the other tools and assistance available that can help them stay safe and cool.
State and federal programs offer ways to navigate the heat wave with tools for monitoring the impacts of heat on your health, shelter assistance, utility assistance, transportation assistance and more.
Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) also offers information on extreme heat, flooding preparations, dust storm safety, what to do during and after a wildfire and preparing for emergencies.
Statewide resources
- Arizona 2-1-1 provides assistance locating and finding transportation to the nearest heat relief locations, shelter assistance and helps identify options for bill payment assistance and home weatherization and rehabilitation services. Arizona 2-1-1 can help connect families to LIHEAP and LIHWAP utility assistance programs.
- Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging that can connect older adults and their families to services including transportation assistance. You can also call Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
- Pet Housing Help helps locate temporary housing for pets.
Monsoon safety
- Monsoon safety information on staying safe during monsoon weather from the ADHS. Monsoon awareness information on monsoon awareness and safety from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Utility assistance
- APS & SRP offers limited income assistance programs for Arizonans unable to pay utility bills.
- Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) offers programs and services to help find shelter and housing during a time of need. Services include short-term crisis services for low-income families, resources and services for the unhoused and utility assistance.
- Community Action Agencies offer assistance with utility costs.
- Chicanos por la Causa provides APS utility assistance.
- Housing Stability and Utility Assistance: DES provides low-income renters and homeowners with financial relief for housing and utility expenses.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low income households pay their heating and cooling bills, minimize crises and make energy costs more affordable.
- Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is available statewide and provides Arizona households with financial relief toward water and wastewater bills.
- Maricopa County: Help with bills. See if your household qualifies for assistance with rent and utilities as well as repairs to your home or HVAC system.
Shelter & housing assistance
- Arizona 2-1-1 provides assistance in locating and finding transportation to nearest heat relief location and helping identify options for bill payment assistance or home weatherization and rehabilitation services.
- Arizona County and City Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention Programs information on county and city rental assistance and eviction prevention programs.
- Arizona Department of Housing offers information on unhoused assistance agencies throughout the state.
- Community Action Agencies provide support for mortgage assistance, eviction or foreclosure prevention assistance, rental deposits and emergency shelter.
- Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides assistance with past-due (arrears) and up to one month of future rental assistance for new applicants.
- Heat Relief Centers hosted by the faith-based community throughout Maricopa County. The sites are open at varying times to provide relief at the hottest times of day and they welcome pets.
- Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) provides assistance for Arizona homeowners impacted by COVID-19 pandemic with mortgage and utility costs.
- Human Services Campus provides housing, transportation and other support services in Maricopa County.
- Public Cooling Centers Map shows free cooling centers offering shelter from the heat, rest areas, air conditioning and/or water.
- Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness provides support for the unhoused to find shelter bedding as well as assistance on maintaining or regaining housing in Pima county.
Outdoor workers
- Heat exposure and heat illness prevention from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
- Heat Safety Tool App (OSHA-NIOSH) is an app to help plan outdoor work activities based on how hot it feels throughout the day. It provides a real-time heat index and hourly forecasts specific to your location and provides occupational safety and health recommendations from OSHA and NIOSH.
- Heat stress information from National Institute for Occupational Safety (NIOSH) Heat stress information.
- Heat stress information from the Industrial Commission.
- Outdoor worker tips from ADHS including safety precautions for workers and employers.
Heat planning
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers a collection of materials on strategies for planning and protecting against excessive heat.
- Heat forecast tools from the National Weather Service.
- HeatRisk Map provided by the National Weather Service showing risks of heat health impact.
- National Integrated Heat Health Information System offers guidance on planning and preparing for extreme heat.
- UV index map that shows forecasting from the Environmental Protection Agency of expected risk of overexposure to UV radiation from the sun.
- Weatherization Assistance Program helps income-eligible families decrease their home energy costs
Methods to stay informed
- ADHS posts alert banners at the top of all azdhs.gov pages during Excessive Heat Warnings with links to public cooling centers and a reminder to stay cool, stay hydrated and stay informed.
- ADHS sends out Excessive Heat Warnings whenever they’re issued by the National Weather Service. Sign up for GovDelivery Excessive Heat Warnings.
- Learn the signs of and symptoms of heat-related illness and how to treat them.
Sheila Sjolander is deputy director of Public Health Services overseeing the divisions of Preparedness, Licensing and Prevention. She has been serving as the assistant director for prevention services for the past 11 years. In this role, Sjolander oversees more than 60 public health programs, including injury prevention, maternal and child health, nutrition and physical activity, and chronic disease. In her 21 years at ADHS, Sjolander has been a leader in integrating prevention programs, strategic planning and the state’s work to reduce opioid overdoses.
