As the temperatures rise, so do calls for help

Phoenix’s summer of 2019 shows how hot the city already gets, and how heat-related 911 calls spike alongside the temperatures. The day with the most 911 calls hit 110 degrees without a heat warning issued.

01020308090100110Daily high temperature (ºF)Number of 911 calls related to heat
July 29 had the most heat-related 911 calls of 2019; no heat warning was issued
Heat warnings issued

Source: Analysis of Phoenix 911 calls, NOAA temperature data. Credit: Elisabeth Gawthrop, Columbia Journalism Investigations / Center for Public Integrity