LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Las Vegas hit triple-digit heat today, and with humidity and potential rain in the forecast, advocates say conditions can quickly turn dangerous for people living on the streets—especially those sheltering in flood-prone storm drain tunnels.
Crews with the nonprofit Shine a Light checked on people in a storm drain tunnel near Dean Martin Drive and I-15, where the shade can offer some relief from the sun.
“Maybe 10 degrees cooler, but it’s definitely a space where they can go and get out of the direct sunlight,” said Brent Nowak, Shine A Light’s director of community integration.
Nowak said extreme weather can be deadly for people experiencing homelessness.
“I do know that we lose people to exposure every single year, whether it be the heat, the cold weather, or the flooding in the tunnels,” he said.
Shine A Light staff regularly go into tunnels to provide supplies and connect people with services—helping them move off the street when they’re ready.
The organization said it’s currently running low on some basic items it distributes during outreach.
One specific need: granola bars.
“Granola bars will have all the basic nutrients that somebody needs to get through that moment of their day,” Nowak said. The group said the snacks are inexpensive, easy to hand out, and donations can fluctuate.
The nonprofit is also asking for socks and water.
How to help
Shine A Light said donations can be dropped off at its office at 2330 Highland Drive, near I-15 and West Sahara.
By the numbers
Shine A Light said it helped 264 people get off the street in the last year, connecting them with resources ranging from substance abuse support to housing and employment.
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