Oregon heat wave toll hits 116 in ‘mass injured’ event

The death toll in Oregon from the Pacific Northwest heat wave that killed hundreds in the region has risen to 116.

In an update from the state medical examiner, nine more deaths have been reported.

The youngest victim in what county officials called a “mass casualty event” was 37 and the oldest was 97.

THE RECORD WARMTH IN THE NORTHWEST MAYBE KILLED HUNDREDS

Temperatures in Portland hit 112 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday, shattering the all-time high of 108 degrees, set a day earlier.

Many victims were found alone in homes without air conditioning. The majority of deaths in Oregon have been in Multnomah County in Portland.

In a statement on Tuesday, the county said the final tally of deaths in the region between June 25 and June 30 and toxicology reports “could take months,” noting that on June 28, the medical examiner program of Multnomah County responded to four times the typical death toll.

“As of Tuesday, July 6, the Multnomah County Medical Examiner Program has identified 67 deaths with the presumed cause of death being hyperthermia. Of these, 40 were officially declared as hyperthermia deaths. 44 to 97 years old.; With an average age of 68, “the county said.

THE NUMBER OF DEATHS IN THE NORTHWEST SHOULD CONTINUE TO INCREASE

In response, Multnomah County Emergency Management, the County Health and Human Services Department and other staff will prepare an after action report to “more effectively target resources at future events” and Update the county’s standard operating procedure for extreme heat if necessary.

“The county will also review state and federal interventions going forward,” the county promised.

Governor Kate Brown also asked agencies to study how Oregon can improve its response to record heat and called on Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) to pass emergency rules to protect workers of State.

“I fear that our recent record-breaking heat wave in the Willamette Valley is a harbinger of what is to come. Even with the immense resources devoted to preparing communities for the excessive heat, it is essential that we let’s be better prepared, flexible and resilient, ”Brown said in a statement. “At the same time, we need to center the voices of historically underserved communities in our contingency planning efforts to ensure that we meet all community members where they are.”

The governor has pledged to meet with agency heads, county heads, Oregon Medicaid coordinated care organizations and affected communities in the coming weeks, in addition to asking state agencies to proceed. to an after action review.

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On Wednesday, Brown said she had met with OEM director Andrew Phelps and asked the agency to “speed up its review process” to assess the state and region’s response efforts.

“We need to do everything possible to be better prepared for these types of weather events by ensuring that vulnerable Oregonians are connected to the information and resources available, and that all Oregonians are prepared for severe weather events,” he said. -she writes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.