According to the Washington Post, the extreme heat wave in the US is affecting approximately 146 million people in the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. While thermometers in Las Vegas, Nevada, showed 48.8 degrees, in Barstow, California, 47.7 degrees, many regions, especially in the western US, are experiencing record temperatures.
Meteorologists warned the public to be careful, pointing out that hot weather conditions are expected to continue until the weekend.
Authorities announced that 14 people died in California, 10 in Oregon, two in Maryland and one in Arizona due to extreme temperatures.
Health experts pointed out that although some of the 27 people who died from extreme heat were over the age of 65, there were also young people among those who lost their lives.
Deaths from extreme heat in the United States have been on the rise in recent years, exceeding approximately 1,600 in 2021, approximately 1,700 in 2022, and 2,300 in 2023. Ashley Ward, director of the Center for Heat Policy Innovation at Duke University, emphasized the The importance of reporting and classifying these deaths, noting that in the past it was very difficult to get the public’s attention to the dangers of heat, but that this is starting to change. Ward pointed out that awareness plays a critical role in taking precautions against extreme heat.
