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Elderly woman suffering in extreme heat

SEATTLE — This heat is especially dangerous for the elderly and the disabled trying to survive, many with just fans at their disposal. One Seattle woman worries she won’t live through the night.

Now, this Seattle resident worries she won’t live through this heat wave — the same heat wave that brought people much younger than herself to Lake Washington to try to cool off.

“The highest I have seen is about 115, maybe 120 tomorrow with 107 outside,” said Bjorklund.

Bjorklund, 83, said she is keeping a wary eye on the thermometer in her home in the Green Lake Plaza apartments, which has reached triple-digit temperatures inside. Moreover, she suffers from heart disease and uses a walker.

“I’ve got three heat sources here, and I told her it’s probably the hottest room in the building,” she said.

This single fan is all she has to cool this apartment owned by the Seattle Housing Authority.

Even an ice tray in front of the fan isn’t providing much relief. She said she has been told that management can’t get air conditioning for her west-facing apartment.

“And I told them that was totally illogical in a cinderblock building that’s going to retain heat,” said Bjorklund, “especially like me when you have roof overhead and the stairway over there. Heat that way. Heat this way. Heat from above.”

It makes her worry she won’t make it through the night.

“Because I was dizzy, kind of, and I thought I’m going to have heat stroke,” she said.

That is a real concern doctors have been warning about. It can happen to just about anyone, especially to those who are older and disabled.

Still, the heat is taking a toll on even the able-bodied, such as the staff at Blu Water Bistro. Owner Bart Evans said he will turn off the ovens and serve cold meals.

And as for tomorrow?

“Tomorrow, you know what, it’s up in the air,” said Evans. “I’ve told my staff we’re going with the (cold food) menu all day until further notice.”

In fact, he said if it is too bad, he will simply shut down and let his staff spend the day cooling off wherever they want.

As for Bjorklund, KIRO 7 reached out to the Seattle Housing Authority. We will let you know when we hear back.