Are local businesses and tourists impacted by extreme heat?
It's the second consecutive day of record breaking heat in Palm Springs with a high of 122. Yesterday's record of 118 was broken when we hit 119.
Palm Springs usually brings many tourists throughout the year, however, is the extreme heat affecting tourists and businesses?
Susan Ahlstrom is from Connecticut and her friend Martha Klein-Larsen is from New Orleans. Both came to visit the valley and found themselves in downtown Palm Springs around noon.
"We were looking for something to do and we decided we really ought to have some Mexican food while we are here," said Ahlstrom. "Yeah, we were going to try and poke around some of the shops while we can... But this is way too much heat."
However, both of them agree they're not letting it ruin the vacation.
"I initially have been so relieved because in the northeast, we've had a lot of rain, a lot of thunderstorms, a very rainy summer," said Ahlstrom.
Another visitor from Nebraska said he expected the heat and didn't let it change his mood.
Some business owners in Palm Springs say they're seeing fewer people in the afternoon hours.
"I've been here for 40 years in Palm Springs. And this is, as far as I remember, this was the hottest summer we ever experienced," said the owner of La Bonita's, Moussa Raei. "Machinery going down. The AC going down. The refrigeration going down. We had to go for repair all the time. And plus having shortage in getting customers in because there's nobody walking downtown."
The owner of Crazy Mel's Burger and Bar, George Kessinger, said he notices more people after the sun dips behind the mountains.
"Basically there's- in the middle of the afternoon no one's here. The streets are empty. I think they're doing a siesta," said Kessinger. "But then there's the curiosity seekers- 'is it really 120 there? Let me see what that's like.' And there are people actually out there that come here because of the heat. They want to experience it."
Businesses and tourists have no choice but to adapt to the heat.
"Take advantage of the advantages and do the best you can. That's all I can do," said Kessinger.
