Life at Poston for the Japanese internees was difficult from the start. Japanese-Americans across the West Coast were uprooted from their lives and placed in different camps around the United States, including Poston. Because of hurried construction and lacking supplies at Poston, living conditions for internees were barely suitable. Barracks were made with redwood, which shrunk more than expected and created cracks throughout the buildings. A shortage of lumber led them to build using adobe. Weather also added to the difficulties of living in the camp because of its location in the desert. Extreme heat during the summer, reaching up to 115 °F, and extreme cold in the winter, reaching as low as 35 °F, added to the frustrations of internees. Outbreaks of disease were another common factor across most camps that contributed to the increasingly difficult life. Poston was included in this as tuberculosis was rampant with 140 reported cases. Care for these sick was also lacking, which led to death or disability that could have been avoided. By nearly the end of 1942, heating systems were still not in place and clothing allowances still hadn't been delivered.