California sees hundreds of heat-related deaths each year with vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and outdoor workers, most at risk. The death toll can range from 100 to 200 in typical years but spikes during severe heat waves – like the one gripping the Golden State this week.
In 2006, a particularly devastating heat wave led to at least 140 deaths in California, according to government data. Experts warn that the true number of fatalities may be underreported since underlying health conditions exacerbated by heat are not always classified.
Nationally, heat-related illnesses claimed an estimated 1,300 to 1,700 lives in 2023.
According to a recent report from California’s insurance department, seven extreme heat waves between 2013 and 2022 resulted in nearly 460 deaths, 5,000 hospitalizations, and 344 adverse birth outcomes, affecting nearly the entire population of California.
Black, Hispanic, and Native American communities are disproportionately impact, with older adults facing higher death rates.
A person walks while wearing a sun hat past a sign warning of hot asphalt temperatures for pets on September 04, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. A powerful heat wave is impacting Southern California, with an excessive heat warning today through Friday affecting much of the region away from the coastline. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
“Extreme heat is a silent, escalating disaster that threatens our health, economy, and way of life in California,” said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.
The financial impact of extreme heat is also – extreme.
The cumulative cost of these heat waves is estimated at $7.7 billion in California, which includes labor productivity losses ranging from $7.7 million to $210 million per heat event, often through uninsured wage losses.
Power outages further taxed the state’s infrastructure, with the 2022 Coastal Inland heat wave alone causing $230 million in economic losses.
Infrastructure repair and delays also contributed to the costs.
Visitors and vendors gather at Griffith Observatory, with the Hollywood sign in the background, on September 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. A powerful heat wave is impacting Southern California with an excessive heat warning today through Friday, affecting much of the region away from the coastline. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
“The data presented in this report is a wake-up call that we need immediate measures to protect lives,” said Kathy Baughman McLeod, CEO at Climate Resilience for All and member of the California Climate Insurance Working Group. “The far-reaching consequences of extreme heat require coordinated action across all sectors to accelerate equitable adaptation. We must integrate climate-smart measures into our planning and invest in strategies that enhance our communities’ resilience to withstand future heat events.”
State and local officials try to prevent heat-related illnesses and death through several measures, including opening public cooling centers, but ultimately people need to protect themselves. They emphasize the importance of staying hydrated and seeking shelter when temperatures soar.
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