This Retirement Community Just Recorded Deadly 120+ Degree Temperatures

Retirement in a warm climate is ideal for comfort, outdoor fun, socializing, and mental wellness. But when the city you decide on becomes an inferno, you may need to rethink your plans. Excessive heat is currently threatening those once cozy retirement environments, posing a serious threat to older individuals. Even cities with names like Paradise Valley are experiencing heat levels that are more reminiscent of a fiery hell.

Not only does excessive heat put a major strain on power grids, but it also poses health risks. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke are serious illnesses and those with chronic conditions like heart disease may find their symptoms exacerbated in these hot environments.

While some seniors revel in hot, desert environments, excessive heat is another beast altogether. The National Weather Service explains that for heat to be considered excessive, it must exceed your body’s normal temperature. On average, a human’s normal temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat is considered excessive when it reaches 99 degrees Fahrenheit.

The repercussions of excessive heat are far-reaching, and the health risks alone are reason for concern. Residents in retirement communities must also keep their cooling and ventilation systems in order and have an emergency plan in place should the climate be too much to handle. Additionally, retirees should be well-versed in heat safety and hydration. (Here’s a look at cities where summer is getting hotter .)

Methodology

To determine the retirement hotspots being threatened by excessive heat, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on current weather warnings and advisories from the NOAA’s National Weather Service. Cities whose land area falls at least 50% within the boundaries of an NWS excessive heat warning as of July 11, 2024, were ordered by maximum observed temperature during the period July 1-8, 2024. Temperature data is from the NOAA’s nClimGrid-Daily program and was aggregated from the census tract level to the place level using boundary definitions from the U.S. Census Bureau’s TIGER/Line shapefiles program. Only cities with at least 5,000 residents where at least 30% of residents are 65 years and over were considered. Population data is from the Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey.

38. Mira Monte, CA

Source: Rachel U / Shutterstock.com

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 97.2°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 76.2°F
• Population 65 years and over: 32.0%
• Total population: 6,837

37. Johnson Lane, NV

Source: Patrick Nouhailler / Flickr

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 101.0°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 76.5°F
• Population 65 years and over: 35.2%
• Total population: 6,499

36. Ojai, CA

Source: hlehnerer / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 101.8°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 78.9°F
• Population 65 years and over: 30.7%
• Total population: 7,610

35. Cottonwood, AZ

Source: lmel9000 / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 94.3%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 104.5°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 84.7°F
• Population 65 years and over: 33.5%
• Total population: 12,314

34. Saddlebrooke, AZ

Source: pics721 / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 95.8%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 106.6°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 87.9°F
• Population 65 years and over: 69.6%
• Total population: 12,014

33. Green Valley, AZ

Source: Manuela Durson / Shutterstock.com

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 107.4°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 88.5°F
• Population 65 years and over: 80.5%
• Total population: 20,937

32. Bear Valley Springs, CA

Source: Greg Meland / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 107.7°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 85.5°F
• Population 65 years and over: 32.5%
• Total population: 5,598

31. Oro Valley, AZ

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 108.9°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 90.0°F
• Population 65 years and over: 35.3%
• Total population: 47,053

30. Tanque Verde, AZ

Source: Michael Schimmel / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 109.5°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 90.3°F
• Population 65 years and over: 32.8%
• Total population: 14,815

29. Ivins, UT

Source: alacatr / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 110.0°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 88.1°F
• Population 65 years and over: 32.3%
• Total population: 9,174

28. Tucson Estates, AZ

Source: Manuela Durson / Shutterstock.com

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 110.2°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 91.3°F
• Population 65 years and over: 34.5%
• Total population: 12,795

27. Catalina Foothills, AZ

Source: benedek / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 110.2°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 91.0°F
• Population 65 years and over: 33.6%
• Total population: 50,573

26. Tucson Mountains, AZ

Source: KenCanning / E+ via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 110.4°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 91.5°F
• Population 65 years and over: 31.8%
• Total population: 11,171

25. Gold Canyon, AZ

Source: Oak City Drone / Shutterstock.com

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 110.5°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 91.6°F
• Population 65 years and over: 54.9%
• Total population: 11,565

24. Jackson, CA

Source: Kate Skar / Shutterstock.com

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 110.7°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 88.2°F
• Population 65 years and over: 30.2%
• Total population: 5,004

23. Paradise, CA

Source: Kenyatta Russell / Shutterstock.com

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 111.3°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 89.0°F
• Population 65 years and over: 38.8%
• Total population: 6,666

22. Golden Valley, AZ

Source: kenlund / Flickr

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 111.3°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 92.5°F
• Population 65 years and over: 43.7%
• Total population: 7,900

21. Palm Springs, CA

Source: Isogood_patrick / Shutterstock.com

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 86.7%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 112.1°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 90.0°F
• Population 65 years and over: 33.2%
• Total population: 44,935

20. Oroville East, CA

Source: Barbara Rich / Moment Open via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 112.2°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 89.0°F
• Population 65 years and over: 30.3%
• Total population: 7,640

19. Wickenburg, AZ

Source: Wirestock / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 112.4°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 93.2°F
• Population 65 years and over: 47.5%
• Total population: 7,600

18. Gold River, CA

Source: Harris Shiffman / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 112.8°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 88.2°F
• Population 65 years and over: 31.5%
• Total population: 7,910

17. Rancho Murieta, CA

Source: HW Anderson / Shutterstock.com

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 112.8°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 88.3°F
• Population 65 years and over: 34.1%
• Total population: 5,728

16. Pahrump, NV

Source: CrackerClips / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 93.6%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 113.0°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 91.7°F
• Population 65 years and over: 31.9%
• Total population: 44,711

15. Rancho Mirage, CA

Source: iShootPhotosLLC / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 114.0°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 92.5°F
• Population 65 years and over: 49.9%
• Total population: 17,257

14. Fountain Hills, AZ

Source: climber28 / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 114.2°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 95.5°F
• Population 65 years and over: 38.0%
• Total population: 23,739

13. Apache Junction, AZ

Saguaros and Superstition Mountains, Lost Dutchman State Park, Apache Junction, Arizona, USA ( Shutterstock.com ) by Fotogro

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 114.3°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 95.7°F
• Population 65 years and over: 34.1%
• Total population: 38,855

12. Palm Desert, CA

Source: MCCAIG / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 114.8°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 93.7°F
• Population 65 years and over: 36.1%
• Total population: 51,290

11. La Quinta, CA

Source: JenniferPhotographyImaging / E+ via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 115.4°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 94.6°F
• Population 65 years and over: 30.1%
• Total population: 37,933

10. Sun Lakes, AZ

Source: LHBLLC / Shutterstock.com

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 115.7°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 98.0°F
• Population 65 years and over: 78.5%
• Total population: 14,147

9. Paradise Valley, AZ

Source: Focqus, LLC / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 115.7°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 97.4°F
• Population 65 years and over: 30.4%
• Total population: 12,672

8. Desert Palms, CA

Source: sanfel / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 116.4°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 95.7°F
• Population 65 years and over: 83.7%
• Total population: 6,414

7. Sun City West, AZ

Source: BCFC / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 116.5°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 98.0°F
• Population 65 years and over: 86.4%
• Total population: 26,639

6. Sun City, AZ

Source: halbergman / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 116.8°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 98.3°F
• Population 65 years and over: 75.4%
• Total population: 37,748

5. Mesquite, NV

Source: constantgardener / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 117.2°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 95.2°F
• Population 65 years and over: 44.8%
• Total population: 20,659

4. Fortuna Foothills, AZ

Source: Lou Axt / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 117.3°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 97.7°F
• Population 65 years and over: 46.1%
• Total population: 27,552

3. Laughlin, NV

Source: 4kodiak / Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 118.9°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 99.6°F
• Population 65 years and over: 41.7%
• Total population: 8,184

2. Lake Havasu City, AZ

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 119.7°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 99.5°F
• Population 65 years and over: 34.7%
• Total population: 57,294

1. Fort Mohave, AZ

Source: Unwind / Shutterstock.com

• Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
• Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 120.5°F
• Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 101.0°F
• Population 65 years and over: 35.3%
• Total population: 16,038

The post This Retirement Community Just Recorded Deadly 120+ Degree Temperatures appeared first on 24/7 Tempo .