'Out of the norm': Experts urge caution after deadly heat wave scorches West Coast

A relentless heat wave raging on the West Coast is suspected to have caused at least eight deaths as experts urge millions of Americans facing triple-digit temperatures to protect themselves from heat stress − the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the nation.

The National Weather Service warned that record-breaking heat was expected to scorch the West Coast this week as some areas reach up to 30 degrees above average. Excessive heat warnings, watches and advisories were in effect for nearly all of Washington state, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada and southwest Arizona. Parts of the South and Northeast also were under heat advisories expected to last into the week.

Authorities in Oregon and California have confirmed a total of eight suspected heat-related deaths since temperatures first spiked last week, including a homeless man in San Jose, California, a motorcyclist in Death Valley National Park, and five people just in the Portland area.

A California prisoner rights advocacy group also said a prisoner at a women's facility died from heat over the weekend, though corrections department officials have disputed the cause of death.

Larry O’Neill, professor at Oregon State University College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, told USA TODAY the heat wave was "absolutely out of the norm" from what he has seen in previous years, mostly for how long it has lasted. Extreme heat first reached the Portland area around July 5, according to the weather service, and an excessive heat warning remained in place until Tuesday night.

Persistent dry heat could fuel drought and wildfire conditions in the Pacific Northwest for the rest of the summer, O’Neill said. The heat wave also came earlier than usual.

"We have heat waves that are kind of a natural part of our climate system, but heat waves are now just becoming more intense because of climate change," O'Neill said.

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Extreme heat is suspected culprit in five Portland-area deaths

The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office in Oregon said the heat was the suspected culprit in five deaths since Friday as residents face uninterrupted days of scorching temperatures.

The first heat-related death, that of an 87-year-old man, was reported Friday, county officials said. On Saturday, a 33-year-old man died from a suspected heat-related illness at a Portland hospital.

Two more deaths were reported Sunday: a 64-year-old man and a 75-year-old man.

The medical examiner’s office confirmed a fifth death Tuesday of a 67-year-old woman, which was reported to officials on Monday.

The office said it could take weeks or even months to confirm the cause of death. County officials declined to provide additional information about the victims, citing the ongoing investigation.

Multnomah County Health Department spokesperson Sarah Dean told USA TODAY temperatures were forecast to peak Tuesday, and cooler weather was expected to start Wednesday. Dean said the county recorded three heat-related deaths last year, noting the numbers are still provisional.

All of the deaths in 2023 were in August and were certified by the medical examiner.

Motorcyclists struck by extreme heat in Death Valley

A group of motorcyclists faced scorching heat Saturday in Death Valley National Park as temperatures soared to 128 degrees, forcing rescue helicopters to stay out of the air.

Six people were making their way through the Badwater Basin portion of the park in California when two of them suffered heat-related illness, park representatives said.

One of the riders died, authorities said. A second was taken to a hospital for treatment of "severe heat illness." Four other members of the group were treated at the scene.

The record-setting heat prevented rescuers from using a helicopter to carry the victims because they couldn't fly safely in temperatures above 120 degrees, according to park officials. Saturday's high temperature broke the area's previous daily record of 127 degrees set in 2007.

Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds urged visitors to be vigilant.

"High heat like this can pose real threats to your health," Reynolds said. "While this is a very exciting time to experience potential world-record-setting temperatures in Death Valley, we encourage visitors to choose their activities carefully, avoiding prolonged periods of time outside of an air-conditioned vehicle or building when temperatures are this high."

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Unhoused person in San Jose dies from heat in 'avoidable tragedy'

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan confirmed an unhoused person died outside from the blistering heat last Tuesday when the city first reached triple-digit temperatures.

"This was an avoidable tragedy and exactly why we’re moving with urgency to create enough basic, dignified shelter for everyone — it’s not compassionate to leave people suffering in unmanaged, unsheltered, and unsafe conditions," Mahan wrote in a social media post, noting cooling centers will be open through late Tuesday.

The National Weather Service has warned Bay Area residents that the extreme heat will continue into the week with temperatures reaching 110 degrees. An excessive heat warning is in effect from 11 a.m. local time Wednesday until Friday night.

Nationally, more than 250,000 unhoused people live on the streets, in vehicles, or other unfit residences, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Experts say inadequate access to air-conditioned spaces makes unhoused communities especially vulnerable to dangerous — sometimes fatal — heat stress.

Prison rights advocacy group says California prisoner died from heat

The California Coalition for Women Prisoners decried the state's handling of the heat wave in prisons after a prisoner at Central California Women’s Facility allegedly died from heatstroke over the weekend.

"We are demanding an investigation into this preventable death, basic life-saving protocols including ice and access to air-conditioning, no lockdowns in overheated cells, and medical care," the coalition said.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesperson Mary Xjimenez said reports that the death was caused by extreme heat were "unsubstantiated."

Xjimenez confirmed to USA TODAY that a woman was transported to an outside medical facility on Thursday and died Saturday but said her death was from an ongoing medical condition unrelated to the heat wave. The coroner's office will confirm the cause of death.

The corrections department is monitoring the heat wave and coordinating with state prison facilities, Xjimenez said. The department, according to Xjimenez, is also providing prisoners with additional water, ice, and cooling areas, along with information on preventing heat-related illness.

People in prisons often face especially dire conditions when extreme heat hits as facilities across the U.S. are ill-equipped for blazing temperatures. A USA TODAY analysis in 2022 found that 44 states did not have universal air conditioning in their prisons.

Sacramento County confirms heat death

In Sacramento, California, a 58-year-old resident was confirmed as the first person to die from extreme heat in the county this summer.

Kevin Gerhardt was transported from his home to a local hospital, a spokesperson for the Sacramento County Coroner's Office told USA TODAY. Gerhardt died at the hospital Sunday.

No other heat-related deaths have been confirmed in Sacramento this year.

An excessive heat warning is in place for Sacramento until Friday evening as temperatures could reach 113 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

Safety tips to combat the heat

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that extreme heat kills about 1,220 people every year, even though heat-related illnesses are largely preventable.

The National Weather Service recommends these steps to stay safe during a heat wave:

• Check on friends, family, and neighbors during heat waves.

• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.

• Drink water often, and don’t wait until you’re thirsty.

• Avoid unnecessary hard work outside or in a building without air conditioning.

• Stay in an air-conditioned area. Air conditioning is the strongest protector from heat-related illness.

The CDC also recommends learning the signs of heat-related illness. Heat exhaustion can cause heavy sweating, clammy skin, muscle cramps, weakness, fast or weak pulse, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting.

Signs of heatstroke include extremely high body temperature; hot, dry or damp skin; strong and fast pulse; dizziness; confusion; and fainting.

Contributing: Claire Thornton, USA TODAY; Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: West Coast heat wave: Experts urge caution after 8 reported deaths