Record-breaking Pacific Northwest heat wave kills nearly 100 in Oregon

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The late-June heat wave that scorched the Pacific Northwest, with triple-digit temperatures breaking records in several states, is now responsible for nearly 100 deaths in Oregon, according to the medical examiner’s office. the state.

The grim news follows an unprecedented heat explosion from June 25 to 28 that included temperatures of at least 100 degrees in counties across the state. Portland, the largest city in Beaver State, has broken its all-time high for three consecutive days, peaking at 116 degrees significantly warmer than average highs in June in the 1980s, according to data from the National Weather Service .

Gilliam and Marion counties showed the state’s highest temperature of 117 degrees, according to the weather service.

It’s a harbinger of things to come, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said on CBS Face the Nation on Sunday.

We have been working to prepare for climate change in this state for several years, she said. What was unprecedented, of course, were the record-breaking three days of heat, and it was horrible to see more than 90 Oregonians lose their lives. And we must continue our preparatory work.

A sign showing the current temperature is displayed after events were postponed due to the high heat during the Olympic track and field trials in the United States on Sunday, June 27, 2021 in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo / Charlie Riedel)

Brown said the government was working with health and community partners to help those most affected by the heat wave, providing air conditioners to people with underlying issues and opening cooling centers for vulnerable residents. .

As of Sunday, the state medical examiner reported 95 heat-related deaths, including 64 in Multnomah County, which includes Portland. The county medical examiner determined that 30 of those deaths were due to hyperthermia or death from excessive heat.

Authorities suspect the remaining 34 people have died from the same cause, but are still investigating. The victims’ ages ranged from 44 to 97, and most were found in their homes without air conditioning or fans.

This tragic event is almost certainly a glimpse into the future of Multnomah County, Oregon, the nation and the world, Public Health Director Jessica Guernsey said in a press release. The impacts of climate change with heat waves, harsh winters, forest fires, floods and other ripple effects are occurring now and will occur more frequently for the foreseeable future.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pacific Northwest Heat Wave: Oregon’s ‘Horrific’ Death Toll Approaches 100

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