‘You’re going to die’: homeless in New Orleans on the hottest days in its history

As the city's increasing homeless community battles debilitating heat-related illnesses and inhospitable streets, outreach workers sound the alarm

On a scorching July day, Athena Sims lay down for a nap on the ground near the tent where she lives, by an overpass in downtown New Orleans. Sims, 46, fell asleep in the shade. When she woke up hours later, she was in the blazing sun, with a splitting headache and a social service worker standing over her, shaking her, telling her she needed to go to the emergency room.

You're going to possibly die of heatstroke," she recalls the man telling her.