Homeless, elderly urged to seek shelter during record weekend heat wave

SUNLAND >> A cool breeze wafted beneath towering pines as Gregory “Frog” Garland stretched out with friends and puppies Friday to relish an afteoon in a northeast Sanu2009Feando Valley park.

But when the mercury shoots up 25u2009degrees to an expected 112u2009degrees Monday, the 55-year-old homeless man aims to climb under a rock.

“We’re goa keep calm and hope on, brother,” said Garland, who said he plans to sleep out the day in a homemade dugout between two oaks up in Big Tujunga Wash. “Just cool your jets.

“I’m goa sit under a tree and drink a lot of water .... and sleep during the day.”

A huge dome of high pressure now slinking toward Southe Califoia is expected to bring scorching temperatures. It’s supposed to peak Monday, the first day of summer.

Weather officials have issued excessive-heat waings for Los Angeles County, while public health officials have sounded heat alerts as emergency management agencies prepared to assist the most vulnerable — the homeless, older adults, children and pets.

Firefighters across the region remain on high alert.

The extreme heat wave is expected to break records across the Southwest, with temperatures expected to climb past 100u2009degrees in downtown Losu2009Angeles, up to 105u2009degrees in cities along the coast and up to 112u2009across the inland valleys, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather cauldron will grow ever hotter Sunday, peak Monday, then grow gradually cool into Wednesday and Thursday.

On the longest day of the year, Monday, Ontario may hit 109u2009degrees, Sanu2009Beardino 115u2009degrees, Palmu2009Springs 121u2009degrees and Deathu2009Valley a searing 131u2009degrees, according to Accuweather. “It’s going to be brutal,” said Bill Patzert, climatologist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Lau2009Cañada Flintridge. “This is a very serious heat wave — for the homeless, the elderly, young kids and, of course, fires.

“This could be even worse than even forecast. It’ll definitely set records.”

A coalition of Losu2009Angeles County agencies have set up an Operational Area Adverse Weather Task Force to coordinate cooling centers from public libraries to community centers, where those without air conditioning can seek heat relief.

To find a Losu2009Angeles Cooling Centers, residents can call 211, tweet @LACOOEM, or go to the Office of Emergency Management cooling off list.

“What we’re trying to do is get the preparedness information out early to prepare them for extreme heat,” said Emergency Management spokesman Ken Kondo.

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A Losu2009Angeles County public health alert waed residents to schedule outdoor activities early or late, drink plenty of water, and seek air-conditioned cooling centers, shopping malls, parks and libraries. Pets and children should not be left unattended in cars.

“When temperatures are high, even a few hours of exertion may cause severe dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” said Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, interim health officer for Losu2009Angeles County, in a statement.

“While it is very important that everyone take special care of themselves, it is equally important that we reach out to those who are especially vulnerable.”

They include the 44,000u2009homeless residents in Losu2009Angeles County, of whom 28,000 live in Losu2009Angeles. The Sanu2009Feando Valley saw a 36u2009percent uptick in homelessness this year, to 7,100u2009residents.

The scorching weather could cause them to seek shelter at libraries, shopping malls, or a day riding on an air-conditioned Metro bus. Hope of the Valleyu2009Mission has opened a daytime Help Center at 6425u2009Tyrone Ave. in Vanu2009Nuys.

“Holy moly,” mission founder Rev.u2009Ken Craft said of the summer heat, which he said is as hard on the homeless as winter cold. “It creates a vulnerability for the most vulnerable.”

At Sunlandu2009Park, Garland and two friends pondered their options as they lay on a blanket beneath a stand of trees.

Nick Soden, a 54-year-old house painter, tumbled 25u2009feet off a ladder, broke his back, his kneecaps and other bones, then became homeless when his house trailer was evicted from a nearby yard.

He hoped the housing voucher he’s held for three months will find him a cool apartment. “If it gets too hot,” said Soden, sketching an eagle on an 8-by-11-inch sheet, “I’ll go to the beach.”

Shirley Conroy also became homeless after a workplace accident. Now living in her car for third year, she says she’ll reach for a spray bottle — and the car’s A/C switch — for her two dogs and five newbo puppies.

“All we can do is pray that it’s not as hot as they say it’s going to be,” said Conroy, 55. “We could collapse if we go out, start walking around. We can only pray it’ll cool off.”