I can't imagine going without air conditioning for more than two weeks in the middle of a Florida July. Now imagine you're in your 70s, dealing with health issues, and that's exactly what's happening where you live.

That's the situation right now at Hampton Apartments on McMullen Booth Road, a 55+ affordable housing community owned by the Clearwater Housing Authority.

According to 10 Tampa Bay, the building's central air conditioning system stopped working on June 18. I called the complex on July 5 to see if there was any update, but staff told me they still couldn't say when the air conditioning would be restored.

This isn't just about being uncomfortable.

Many of the residents are older adults, and some are managing serious medical conditions. Extended exposure to high indoor temperatures can quickly become a health issue, especially during one of the hottest stretches of the year.

The weather certainly hasn't helped. AccuWeather recorded a RealFeel temperature of 109°F in Clearwater on June 26, right in the middle of the outage. Even today (July 5), afternoon RealFeel temperatures were still climbing above 100°F.

Meanwhile, residents told 10 Tampa Bay that temperatures inside some apartments have reached around 90 degrees.

One resident, Vietnam veteran Rick Scoville, told 10 Tampa Bay he kept detailed notes documenting his repeated requests for repairs. Recently diagnosed with blood clots that severely limit his mobility, he said his thermostat was already reading 83 degrees before sunset.

Another resident, Dorothy Coyle, told the station she decided to leave and stay with relatives in Dunedin because she simply couldn't take the heat anymore. She brought her fiancé and her dog, Toshi, with her.

"I'm just dripping," she said. "And I'm afraid of heat stroke."

Reading stories like these is hard. Air conditioning isn't a luxury in Florida during the summer…especially for seniors. It's something many people rely on every day just to stay safe.

According to 10 Tampa Bay, Clearwater Housing Authority CEO Charessa Doty said the building's rooftop cooling tower is a highly complex system. She said crews have been working with specialists but have run into delays finding replacement parts, along with weather-related safety delays caused by lightning.

The Housing Authority has provided portable air conditioning units for apartments, larger cooling units in common areas such as the lobby, restaurant, and movie theater, and free buffet meals for residents while repairs continue.

One resident described the portable A/C setup as a "MacGyver fix."

When asked whether residents would receive any rent credit for the weeks without central air, Doty reportedly said, "We are going to work on a plan to make every tenant whole." As of today, there's still no timeline for when the system will be fully repaired.

While reading about this, I came across something I didn't know, and I thought it was worth sharing.

Under Florida law, landlords generally aren't required to provide air conditioning. They are required to provide heat. However, if the property included air conditioning when you moved in—or if your lease says it's provided—the landlord is generally responsible for maintaining it.

It's one of those things most of us never think about until something goes wrong.

If you have a friend, neighbor, or family member living at Hampton Apartments, now might be a good time to check in on them. Sometimes a quick visit, a cold drink, or even just a phone call can mean a lot during a stretch like this.

I'll keep an eye on this story and share any updates if the situation changes. If you live at Hampton Apartments or know someone who does, feel free to reach out and share your experience.

Sources: 10 Tampa Bay (WTSP) and AccuWeather.

We just talked about what this week's heat is doing to people. Now let's talk about our four-legged family members.

One thing many pet owners don't realize is that the temperature on your weather app is the air temperature. The surfaces your dog walks on can be dramatically hotter.

Dark asphalt can be 40 to 60 degrees hotter than the air temperature, while concrete sidewalks are usually 20 to 40 degrees hotter. Both absorb the sun's heat throughout the day and can quickly become hot enough to burn sensitive paw pads.

Here's what that looks like with this week's forecast for Clearwater:

These are conservative estimates. Dark asphalt in direct afternoon sun can become even hotter.

For perspective, paw pads can begin to burn on surfaces around 125°, and temperatures above 140° can cause serious burns in less than a minute.

You don't need a special thermometer.

Simply place the back of your hand on the surface for 7 seconds.

If you can't comfortably keep it there for the full count, it's too hot for your dog's paws.

It's really that simple.

🐾 Walk early or late. Early mornings and evenings are much safer than the middle of the afternoon.

🌿 Choose cooler surfaces whenever possible. Grass, dirt paths and shaded trails are usually the safest. Concrete sidewalks are generally cooler than black asphalt, but they can still become dangerously hot during the hottest part of the day.

🐶 Watch their paws. Redness, limping, blisters or excessive licking can all be signs of burned paw pads. Many dogs will keep walking even when they're uncomfortable.

👟 Dog booties really do work. They may look a little funny at first, but they provide excellent protection from hot pavement.

💧 Bring water. This heat is tough on both you and your dog.

If you wouldn't walk across it barefoot, don't expect your dog to.

Whether it's a black asphalt parking lot or a sun-baked concrete sidewalk, taking a few extra seconds to check the surface before your walk can prevent a painful injury.

And if you're searching for a lost pet during this heat, remember that My Clearwater Scoop offers a free Lost & Found Pets section to help reunite families with their furry friends.

Stay safe, stay hydrated and give those paws a break until this heat lets up. 🐾

Air temperatures are based on this week's Clearwater forecast. Surface temperatures are estimated using published studies showing that asphalt can be approximately 40–60°F hotter than the surrounding air, while concrete sidewalks typically run 20–40°F hotter depending on sunlight, surface color and wind conditions.

If you've been waiting for the Gulf to warm up the wait is over. Clearwater Beach water temperatures have reached 81 degrees. Warm, clear, and perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, or just wading in. Historically Gulf temperatures peak around 85-86 degrees in late summer so we're already well into comfortable swimming territory ahead of schedule.

Check current water temperatures and conditions Here

Watch the live Clearwater Beach Cam Here

Our pets aren't just animals — they're family. If you've seen any of the pets below please email us at [email protected] and we will connect you directly with their families. One share could bring someone's baby home.

Zena has been missing for over 115 days from the Seville Condo area near Clearwater Costco. Her heartbroken family will not give up searching

LEARN MORE →

Leah has been missing since April 28th from the King Arthur Court in Dunedin. Her Mom has owned her since she was a puppy.

LEARN MORE →

Lobo has been missing since May 11th from Gladden Park in St. Petersburg. Her Mom has owned her since she was a puppy.

LEARN MORE →

River is a one-year-old male tabby (brown, white, and gray) who slipped out the front door on May 30th, and last seen near 134th Ave and Trotter Rd in Largo.

LEARN MORE →

Mama Kitty is a 15 year old black cat with a clipped left ear that went missing on June 4th, and last seen near Druid and Belcher in Clearwater.

LEARN MORE →

🤠 Wednesday Night Line Dancing — OCC Roadhouse Clearwater Free lessons. 6:00pm to 7:30pm — All ages welcome DJ Brandon takes over at 7:30pm playing requests all night 10575 49th Street North, Clearwater INFO →

🎸 Mello Vibes Tuesday July 7th - FREE - 5:00 pm Crabby’s Dockside Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 Josh Higgins Wednesday July 8th - FREE - 5:00 pm Crabby’s Dockside Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 Skunkhammer Thursday July 9th - FREE - 7:00 pm OCC Roadhouse Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 Tori Amos Friday July 10th - 8:00 pm Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater, FL TICKETS & INFO→

🐢 Sea Turtle Nesting Patrol Experience Join conservation volunteers monitoring nests along the beach Reservations required

🧘 Free Sunset Yoga Monday at 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm - FREE admission - Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland Street, Clearwater, 33764, Meet on The Green LEARN MORE →

🚶‍♀️ SilverSneakers: Zumba Gold Class Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 am - Aging Well Center @ The Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater, 33765, View Map LEARN MORE →

🧘 Yoga Tuesday and Thursday 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm - Aging Well Center @ The Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater, 33765, View Map FEES & LEARN MORE →

🧘 Golden Hour Yoga - FREE - Wednesday at 7:00 pm - Pier 60 Clearwater Beach View Map

⛵ Clearwater Community Sailing Center A nonprofit sailing center at 1001 Gulf Blvd offering boat rentals, sailing lessons for all ages, and Summer Camp. Open Tuesday through Sunday 9am to 5pm. LEARN MORE →

🏓 Pickleball Court Locations: Here is the easiest way to find Pickleball courts near you with an interactive map. LEARN MORE →

🏖️ Near the Beach

🏙️ Inland

⚠️ Trivia nights and schedules can change. We recommend confirming directly with the venue before heading out. Know of a change or a new spot? Tell Scout →

Thanks for reading My Clearwater Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone that you think would be interested.

Until next time,

Stan, Scoop and Scout