(Deaths in recent weeks are most likely undercounted because of lags in reporting.)
In late June, British Columbia, Washington and Oregon experienced unprecedented heat that resulted in increased heat-related hospital visits and deaths. Our region is not prepared for these kind of heat events but the frequency and intensity will be increasing as we experience the symptoms of the Climate Crisis.
According to a review of mortality data, more than 600 people than usual died during one week during the heat dome event in late June and early July.
As we head into another heat event, please be sure to help those who are most vulnerable. We’re in uncharted territory for the Pacific Northwest and we all need to look out for each other.
Data comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Region 10, which includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska.
