Heat claimed victims throughout Multnomah County
Newly-released figures show the recent heat wave claimed victims in all corners of the county.
People died from suspected or confirmed cases of heat exposure when temperatures topped 110 degrees in nearly every part of Multnomah County.
The Multnomah County Medical Examiner has identified 95 people with the suspect death of hyperthermia that occurred during the record-shattering heat wave that fell over the region beginning June 25. According to the county, 30 of the deaths have been formally ruled hyperthermia, or death by excessive heat, as of Saturday, July 3.
According to the county, the first hyperthermia deaths were reported on June 27, with almost 95 percent being reported on and after June 28, the peak of the heat wave.
Pamplin Media Group July 02 2021
UPDATE: Death toll continues to increase with 59 in Multnomah County, seven in Washington County and eight in Clackamas.
At least 94 people perished during a historic heatwave that shattered thermometers and strained hospital systems across Oregon, according to state authorities.
A majority of the deaths 54 occurred in Multnomah County, with another eight reported in Washington County and 10 in Clackamas County, state troopers say.
Authorities have not released their identities, but the details available point to isolation and exposure to the outdoors as keye factors:
• A spokeswoman for Clackamas County described one of the heat deaths as involving an elderly woman found in a manufactured home with no air-conditioning.
By Bill Galluccio
Photo: Getty Images
The Oregon State Medical Examiner s Office said that most of those who died were living alone and did not have air conditioning or a fan.
Over the past week, cities across Oregon shattered high-temperature records, with Portland hitting 116 degrees, Salem topping 117 degrees, and Pendleton and The Dalles recording a high of 118 degrees. This was a true health crisis that has underscored how deadly an extreme heatwave can be, especially to otherwise vulnerable people, said Multnomah County Health Officer Dr.
Jennifer Vines. I know many county residents were looking out for each other and am deeply saddened by this initial death toll. As our summers continue to get warmer, I suspect we will face this kind of event again.
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Portland set new heat records on three consecutive days, peaking Monday at 116 degrees. Author: KGW Staff Updated: 6:42 PM EDT July 1, 2021
PORTLAND, Ore. The number of people who died during the historic heat wave in Oregon has grown to 79, the state medical examiner said Thursday. The statewide number could continue to change as counties report more information.
The majority of deaths reported by the state so far are in Multnomah County where 52 people have died since Friday. The county initially reported 45 deaths on Wednesday.
Marion County has reported nine deaths, Washington County has reported seven deaths, Clackamas County has reported eight deaths, and Columbia, Umatilla and Polk counties reported one death each, according to the Oregon State Medical Examiner s Office.