2016 – Exposure to excessive natural heat, esp. AZ (219), NV (89), CA (70), TX (86) — 786
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 2-17-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–786 Blanchard tally of State and locality breakouts below.
–738 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.*
–656 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 and X30.
–549 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for X30 alone.
–458 CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).[1]
–322 CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).[2]
— 94 All States National Weather Service, NOAA. 2016 Heat Related Fatalities.
— 50 All States NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat.
— 39 All States Children in vehicles. Null. “2016 Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths.”
— 25 All States Worker heat-related deaths. OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor.
* We draw attention to the cases noted below by OSHA and Noheatstroke.org, of heat stroke and other excessive heat deaths not reflected in CDC Wonder data. Also of note is that State government reporting is frequently higher than CDC Wonder-reported numbers.
ICDC Codes used in CDC Wonder Online Database: (The T67 and X30 codes are in two locations in the search page – Underlying Cause of Death and Multiple Causes of Death – the higher numbers are to be found when using the Multiple Causes of Death option.)
T67 Effects of heat and light
T67.0 (Heatstroke and sunstroke);
T67.1 (Heat syncope); heat syncope [fainting]; factors include dehydration and lack of acclimatization.
T67.2 (Heat cramp);
T67.3 (Heat exhaustion, anhydrotic); [Note: T67 codes are in the class of “multiple
T67.4 (Heat exhaustion due to salt depletion); cause of death,” meaning, usually, that heat
T67.5 (Heat exhaustion, unspecified); contributed to or combined with another
T67.6 (Heat fatigue, transient); cause of death – such as a heart condition.]
T67.7 (Heat oedema);
T67.8 (Other effects of heat and light);
T67.9 (Effect of heat and light, unspecified)
X30 Exposure to excessive natural heat. [An underlying (or primary) cause of death.]
Summary of 2016 Heat and Heat-Related Deaths By State from Breakouts Below
Alabama ( 13)
Arizona ( 219)
Arkansas ( 1)
California ( 70)
Florida ( 32)
Georgia ( 15)
Illinois ( 14)
Iowa ( 1)
Kansas ( 2)
Kentucky ( 13)
Louisiana ( 12)
Maryland ( 29)
Michigan ( 1)
Mississippi ( 11)
Missouri ( ~25)
Nevada ( 89)
New Mexico ( 10)
New York* ( 14)
North Carolina ( 16)
Ohio ( 13)
Oklahoma ( 20)
Pennsylvania ( 21)
Rhode Island ( ~1)
South Carolina ( 14)
South Dakota ( 1)
Tennessee ( 20)
Texas ( 86)
Virginia ( 10)
Washington ( 11)
Wisconsin ( ~2)
Total: 786
*NY note: The 2023 NYC Heat-Related Mortality Report, New York City Environment & Health Data Portal, NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy, notes that “Each summer, on average, an estimated 350 New Yorkres die prematurely because of hot weather.” Notes that on average there were 7 heat-stress deaths, those caused directly by heat,” and “about 345 Heat-exacerbated deaths (caused indirectly by heat aggravating an underlying illness).” The CDC data we note does not include these “heat-exacerbated deaths.”
Breakout of 2016 Heat and Heat-Related Deaths by State and Locality
Alabama ( 13)
–13 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
–12 CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 1 Birmingham, June 29. Heat exposure; employee working on roof framing. OSHA.
— 1 Huntsville, Sep 21. Baby, 7 months old, left in vehicle at Marshall Space Flight Center.[3]
— 1 Monroeville, April 29. Male, 7-months. Left in hot car by mother three hours.[4]
— 1 Montgomery, June 30. Heat exposure.
Arizona (219)
–219 Statewide. AZ Dept. of Health Services. Heat-Caused & Heat-Associated Deaths in AZ…
–146 Direct Heat-caused deaths.[5]
— 73 Heat-associated deaths.[6]
–181 Statewide. Blanchard tally
–180 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
–123 Maricopa County
— 13 Mohave County
— 12 Yuma County
–104 CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 9 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2016 Heat Related Fatalities.
Breakout of Heat-Related Fatalities by County (where data was accessible):
–191 Maricopa County. AZ Dept. Health Services. Heat-Caused & Heat-Associated Deaths in AZ…
— 64 Direct heat-caused. (p. 6)
–127 Heat-Associated deaths. (p. 7)
–154 MCPH. Heat-Associated Deaths in Maricopa County…2016, p. 4.[7]
–88 Direct heat caused deaths.
–66 Heat-associated/related deaths – environmental heat contributed to deaths.
— 59 CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 1 Peoria, Oct 10. Baby boy, 5 months, left inside vehicle several hours.[8]
— 1 Desert Vista Trail, Phoenix Mt. Preserve, June 19. Female, 28, mountain biker.[9]
— 1 Peralta Trail, Superstition Mountains, outside Phoenix, June 18. male hiker, 28.[10]
— 1 Apache Wash trail, north Phoenix area. July 22, male, 12, hiking.[11]
— 25 Mohave County. AZ Dept. Health Services. Heat-Caused & Heat-Associated Deaths in AZ…
–11 Direct heat-caused deaths. (p. 6)
–14 Heat-associated Deaths. (p. 7)
–11 CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 91 Pima County. AZ Dept. Health Services. Heat-Caused & Heat-Associated Deaths in AZ…
–45 Heat-caused deaths (p. 6)
–46 Heat-associated deaths. (p. 7)
–10 Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner. Annual Report 2018. P.64.[12]
— 4 Pima County NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat.
–1 Finger Rock Canyon outside Tucson. June 19. Heat stroke; female hiker, 19.[13]
–1 Tucson Loop walking and biking trail ~I-10 & Irvington. Heat stroke; female, 54.[14]
–1 Ventana Canyon, near Tucson. June 19. Heat stroke; male hiker, 33 years old.[15]
–1 Ventana Canyon Trail, near Tucson. June 19. Heat stoke; male hiker, 57.[16]
— 25 Yuma County. AZ Dept. Health Services. Heat-Caused & Heat-Associated Deaths in AZ…
–12 Heat-caused deaths (p. 6)
–13 Heat-associated deaths (p. 7)
–12 CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
Arkansas ( >1)
–1 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2016 Heat Related Fatalities.
–1 Fort Chaffee, June 14. Hyperthermia; Ark Army NG Sgt. Sylvester Cline, 32, training ex.[17]
California ( 70)
–70 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
–18 Los Angeles County
–17 Riverside County
–44 CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 3 State National Weather Service, NOAA. 2016 Heat Related Fatalities.
— 1 Fresno Co., Laton, July 26. Heat stress; male worker removing netting, nectarine grove.[18]
— 1 Fresno, Oct 11. Baby, 11 months, left in parked car by relative at apartment complex.[19]
–13 Los Angeles Co. CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
–1 City of Industry, Aug 2. Heat stress; warehouse worker unloading containers.[20]
— 1 Redwood Valley, June 14. Heat stroke; employee weeding and shoveling in field. OSHA.
–11 Riverside County. CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
–1 Joshua Tree National Park, Cottonwood area, Aug 13. Woman, 54, hiking, temp. ~100.[21]
Florida ( 32)
–32 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
–22 CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 1 Fort Pierce, July 15. Male, 2, found unresponsive in hot car at home at least 2½ hours.[22]
— 1 Hialeah, May 23. Female, 11-months, left in parents’ van at home several hours.[23]
— 1 Miami, Sep 28. Boy, 2, left in van outside church daycare center.[24]
— 1 Myakka City, May 17. Suspected heat exhaustion; farm worker picking tomatoes. OSHA.
— 1 Navarre, July 25 (found unresponsive July 22). Male, 3; got out of house, into parked car.[25]
— 1 Palm Harbor, Sep 9. Male toddler, 23 months, left in hot pickup for hours outside home.[26]
Georgia ( 15)
–15 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
— 4 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2016 Heat Related Fatalities.
— 2 Carrollton, Aug 4. Female twins, 15-months; left in hot car by father.[27]
— 1 Fulton Co., Welcome All Park, July 28. Heat-related illness during football practice, boy, 12.[28]
— 1 Smyrna, Aug 15. Suspected heat related illness; worker unloading steel all morning.[29]
Illinois ( 14)
–14 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
— 1 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2016 Heat Related Fatalities.
Iowa ( 1)
–1 Des Moines, June 11. Male, 6-months, left in hot car by father while visiting barber shop.[30]
Kansas ( 2)
–1 Abilene, July 31. Female, 18-months, after locking herself in family car at home, 94° day.[31]
–1 Great Bend, body found June 16. Hyperthermia combined with health issues; female,[32] 49.[33]
Kentucky ( 13)
–13 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
–1 Auburn, June 10. Hyperthermia, Emma Grace Thigpen, 5 mo.; left in van parked outside home.[34]
–1 Louisville, April 18. Hyperthermia; boy, 2, in hot carpool van at elementary school.[35]
Louisiana ( 12)
–12 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
— 1 Baton Rouge, June 8. Female, 8 months, left in hot car two hours, by father at work.[36]
— 2 Bossier City, found June 18. Brother and sister twins, 3-years-old, found in family pickup.[37]
— 1 Pineville, May 10. Heat exposure and stress. Concrete finishing worker. OSHA.
— 1 Walker. Heart attack related to heat exhaustion; male waste management worker, outdoors.[38]
Maryland ( 29)
–29 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
–17 WJZ 13 CBS Baltimore. “Two More Heat-Related Deaths Reported In Maryland…” 7-17-2019.[39]
–13 CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
Michigan ( 1)
–1 Ann Arbor, June 27. Heat-related; roofer after climbing to roof of apartment building. OSHA[40]
Mississippi ( 11)
–11 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone
— 1 Gluckstadt, May 11. Female, 2, in car, mother thought she had taken daughter to daycare.[41]
— 1 Grenada, May 19. Female, 8-mo., left in father’s hot car while working, found by stranger.[42]
— 1 Kiln, Sep 30. Girl, 3 years old, left in mother’s police car[43] for “some time.”[44]
Missouri ( 25)
— 25 Statewide CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
–~25 Statewide. Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Hyperthermia.[45]
— 19 Statewide. CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 4 Statewide. National Weather Service, NOAA. 2016 Heat Related Fatalities.
— 1 Jefferson City, Aug 17. Roofer dies from heat. OSHA Inspection 1170970.015.
— 1 Kansas City, Aug 11. Heat exhaustion; worker laying sod at construction site.[46]
— 1 Poplar Bluff area, July 23, male, 23, day after hospitalization with core temp. over 105.[47]
— 1 Rocky Comfort, July 23. Boy, 4, after getting into car parked in yard at home; 95° day.[48]
— 1 St. Louis County, July 18-24. Female, 80; permanent home. NCEI. Storm Events Database.
— 1 Trenton, July 16. Baby girl, 11 months, in hot car in parking lot after mother overdoses.[49]
Nevada ( 89)
— 89 State CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
–82 Clark County
–>80 State Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
— 50 State National Weather Service, NOAA. 2016 Heat Related Fatalities.
— 33 State CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 as underlying cause of death.
— 2 Lake Mead/Lake Mohave National Recreation Area, July 22-29.
–1 Male 58 Outside/open area
–1 Male 68 Outside/Open area
— 78 Clark Co. So. NV Health Dist. “Health District reports increase in heat-related deaths.” 7-5-2018.[50]
–30 CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
–38 Las Vegas Valley. NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database.
–10 Las Vegas Valley, June 3-12. NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database. (9 direct)
Male 34 Outside/open area
Male 56 Outside/open area
Male 50 Outside/open area (indirect)
Female 66 Outside/open area
Male 77 Permanent Home
Male 86 Permanent Home
Male 81 Permanent Home
Male 35 Permanent Structure
Male 82 Permanent Structure
Female 66 Vehicle/Towed Trailer
–28 Las Vegas Valley, July 23-31. NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database.
Male 57 Unknown indirect
Male 61 Mobile/Trailer Home direct
Male 69 Outside/Open Area indirect
Male 49 Outside/Open Area indirect
Male 77 Outside/Open Area direct
Female 88 Outside/Open Area indirect
Male 73 Outside/Open Area indirect
Male 68 Outside/Open Area direct
Female 87 Permanent Home indirect
Female 58 Permanent Home direct
Female 84 Permanent Home direct
Female 76 Permanent Home direct
Male 85 Permanent Home direct
Female 70 Permanent Home direct
Male 65 Permanent Home direct
Male 64 Permanent Home direct
Female 80 Permanent Home direct
Male 71 Permanent Home indirect
Male 66 Permanent Home indirect
Female 64 Permanent Home indirect
Male 81 Permanent Structure indirect
Female 88 Permanent Structure indirect
Male 62 Permanent Structure direct
Female 52 Permanent Structure direct
Male 42 Permanent Structure indirect
Female 66 Vehicle/Towed Trailer indirect
New Mexico (10)
–10 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
New York ( 14)
–14 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
— 1 Staten Island, Sep 24. Heat stress; male worker; NYCDOT Sidewalk Inspection Mgmt.[51]
— 1 Western (town), June 6. Male, 4½-months, in father’s car.[52]
North Carolina (16)
–16 Statewide CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone
–11 Statewide. CDC Wonder ICD-10 code X30 as underlying cause of death.
— 1 Statewide National Weather Service, NOAA. 2016 Heat Related Fatalities.
— 1 Charlotte, July 5. Cardiac arrest with high heat and humidity contributing factors. OSHA.[53]
— 1 Durham, Aug 29. Girl, 3, in hot van outside Hearthside Street home; 90° day.[54]
— 1 Salisbury, Oct 6. Girl, 2, left in car by mother at Hefner VA hospital (where she worked).[55]
— 1 Wilmington, May 25. Male, 9-months, left in hot car all day by mother outside daycare.[56]
Ohio ( 13)
–13 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
— 1 Cincinnati, June 20. Heart attack; heat exhaustion contributing; attic insulation installer. OSHA.
— 1 Moraine, July 6. Male, 3, found unresponsive in inoperable hot car at relative’s home.[57]
— 1 Newcomerstown, Aug 7. Heat stress; worker assisting in liming, fertilizing, seeding.[58]
Oklahoma ( 20)
–20 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone
— 6 State National Weather Service, NOAA. 2016 Heat Related Fatalities.
— 1 Geronimo, Sep 20. Baby girl, 4 months, left “for hours” in car at convenience store.[59]
— 1 Muskogee, Oct 5. Baby boy, 6 weeks, left all day in car by relative at worksite.[60]
— 1 Pawhuska, June 20. Heat stroke, woman, 29; Mormon church camp; near end of 7-mile trek.[61]
— 2 Tulsa County
–1 June 15-17. Male, 19, doing roofing work. NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database.
–1 June 15-17. Female, 50, home with no air conditioning. NCEI. Storm Events Database.
Pennsylvania ( 21)
–21 State CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
–10 Philadelphia County
— 7 State Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
— 4 State National Weather Service, NOAA. 2016 Heat Related Fatalities.
— 1 Franklin, July 6. Suspected heat-related injury, though no autopsy performed. Construction.[62]
— 1 Pennsburg, Aug 21. Heat stroke complications; half-marathon run; John McMordie, 23.[63]
— 3 Philadelphia, July 6-8, Fox Chase, Grays Ferry, Northeast Philadelphia. Heat exposure.
–1 Female 71 Permanent Home. NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database.
–1 Male 61 Permanent Home. NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database.
–1 Male 77 Permanent Home. NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database.
— 1 Philadelphia, July 15. Male, 88; permanent home; outside temperature in 90’s.[64]
— 1 Williamsport, July 22. Female, 4, in hot car; care-giver forgot to drop her off at day-care.[65]
Rhode Island ( 1)
–1 Portsmouth, July 25. Possible heat-related; man, 69, quits Cliff Walk seeking heat relief.[66]
South Carolina (14)
–14 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
–10 CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 1 Columbia, July 6. Confirmed hyperthermia; Jamal Dirk Graham, 31, home without AC.[67]
— 1 Lexington, Aug 10. Heart condition exacerbated by heat/humidity. Male, 14, football workout.[68]
— 1 Rock Hill, July 25. Heat exposure; Ronnie Moore, 55, found on River Park trail, 97⁰ day.[69]
— 1 Ware Shoals, body found July 17. Heat stroke in 100-degree mobile home; Robert Hamilton, 74.[70]
South Dakota ( 1)
–1 South Dakota Department of Health. Statistics. “Mortality.”[71]
Tennessee ( 20)
–20 State. CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
— 4 State. National Weather Service, NOAA. 2016 Heat Related Fatalities.
— 1 Millington, Aug 25. Heat stroke; male worker, mixing concrete in a bucket.[72]
— 1 Shelby County, Aug 5. Female, 53; heat-related death in permanent home.[73]
Texas ( 86)
–86 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone.
–14 Dallas County
–12 Harris County
–54 CDC Wonder ICD-10 Code X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 6 State. National Weather Service, NOAA. 2016 Heat Related Fatalities.
— 1 Dallas, June 16. Hyperthermia; male, 55, exacerbated by acute ethanol intoxication.[74]
— 1 Dallas, July 24. Male, 2, after parents’ forgot and left him in SUV while attending church.[75]
— 1 Dayton, Sep 15. Baby boy, 1 year, in car; mother forgot to go by daycare on way to work.[76]
— 1 Helotes, Aug 12. Baby boy, 6 mo., left in car hours; father forgot to go by daycare; 101°.[77]
— 1 Houston, June 16. Male, 3, in hot car, front yard of home – apparently looking for toy.[78]
— 2 Houston, North, bodies found Aug 9. Heat-related; couple found in trailer home, broken AC.[79]
— 1 Liberty, July 20. Heat exhaustion/heat stroke; Drum Equipment, Inc. (oil and gas scvs.).[80]
— 1 Lufkin, March 15. Male, 7-months, left in car seat several hours by grandmother.[81]
— 1 Melissa, June 21. Female, 6-months; father forgot to take her out of car at home.[82]
— 1 Midland, June 28. Heart attack under heat stress conditions; warehouse employee. OSHA.
— 1 San Antonio, April 16. Heat stress/exhaustion/dehydration leading to cardiac arrest.[83]
— 1 Temple, July 10. Female, 2, got into family minivan at home 95° day; couldn’t get out.[84]
— 1 Yoakum, July 18. Male mason tender worker, hot/humid day, 10 hrs., no breaks.[85]
Virginia ( 10)
–10 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone
— 1 Annandale, April 18. Female, 2, left in car backseat by care-giver “a significant…time.”[86]
— 1 Danville, July 23. Heat exhaustion/hyperthermia; worker weeding tobacco field with a hoe.[87]
— 1 Sterling, Sep 10. Hyperthermia; make worker, bakery; core body temperature of 106°.[88]
Washington ( 11)
–11 CDC Wonder, Multiple Cause of Death 2017, search for T67 alone
Wisconsin ( ~2)
–1 State National Weather Service, NOAA. 2016 Heat Related Fatalities.
–1 Milwaukee, July 27. Heat stroke; male janitor, 54, major league baseball stadium.[89]
–1 Milwaukee, July 27. Probable heat-related death; man, 60, in home; body temp. of 103⁰.[90]
Narrative Information
(General)
CDC. “Heat-Related Deaths – [U.S.], 1999-2003,” MMWR, V55, N29, 7-28-2006, 796-798:
“Heat-related illnesses (e.g., heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, or heatstroke) can occur when high ambient temperatures overcome the body’s natural ability to dissipate heat. Older adults, young children, and persons with chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible to these illnesses and are at high risk for heat-related mortality. Previous analyses of the risk factors associated with heat-related deaths have been based on the underlying cause entered on the death certificate. The analysis revealed that including these deaths increased the number of heat-related deaths by 54% and suggested that the number of heat-related deaths is underestimated.
“CDC uses information from death certificates categorized by codes from the International Classification of Diseases to estimate national mortality trends. These data, collected and submitted by states, were used to determine the number of deaths in the United States during 1999–2003 that had exposure to excessive natural heat§ recorded as the underlying cause (code X30 from ICD, tenth revision [ICD-10]), hyperthermia recorded as a contributing factor (ICD-10 code T67) (6), or both….
“Editorial Note: In this analysis, the inclusion of hyperthermia as a contributing cause of death increased by 54% the total number of heat-related deaths during 1999–2003 that would have been counted through inclusion of a heat-related underlying cause alone. Because heat-related illnesses can exacerbate existing medical conditions and death from heat exposure can be preceded by various symptoms, heat-related deaths can be difficult to identify when illness onset or death is not witnessed by a clinician. In addition, the criteria used to determine heat-related causes of death vary among states. This can lead to underreporting heat-related deaths or to reporting heat as a factor contributing to death rather than the underlying cause.
“Continued exposure to excessive heat can lead to hyperthermia or death. Of the heat-related illnesses, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are the most serious. Heat exhaustion is characterized by muscle cramps, fatigue, headache, nausea or vomiting, and dizziness or fainting. The skin is often cool and moist, indicating that the body’s mechanism for cooling itself (i.e., sweating) is still functioning. The pulse rate is typically fast and weak, and breathing is rapid and shallow. If untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke. Heatstroke is a serious, life-threatening condition characterized by a high body temperature (>103ºF [>39.4ºC]); red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; and unconsciousness. Symptoms can progress to encephalopathy, liver and kidney failure, coagulopathy, and multiple organ system dysfunction. Prompt treatment of heat-related illnesses with aggressive fluid replacement and cooling of core body temperature is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality.
“Many heat-related deaths, regardless of whether they are associated with chronic medical conditions, are preventable. During periods of extreme heat, heat-related illnesses can be prevented by avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, drinking adequate amounts of fluid, avoiding alcohol consumption, wearing lightweight clothing, and using air-conditioning. Groups at high risk include young children, persons aged >65 years, persons who do strenuous activities outdoors, and persons with chronic (particularly cardiovascular) medical conditions.”
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) on Heat-Related Deaths (11-21-2023):
“When people are exposed to extreme heat, they can suffer from potentially deadly illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Hot temperatures can also contribute to deaths from heart attacks, strokes, and other forms of cardiovascular disease. Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, even though most heat-related deaths are preventable through outreach and intervention (see EPA’s Excessive Heat Events Guidebook at: www.epa.gov/heat-islands/excessive-heat-events-guidebook).
Unusually hot summer temperatures have become more common across the contiguous 48 states in recent decades…extreme heat events (heat waves) have become more frequent and intense… and these trends are expected to continue. As a result, the risk of heat-related deaths and illness is also expected to increase.[91] The “urban heat island” effect accentuates the problem by causing even higher temperatures in densely developed urban areas. Reductions in cold-related deaths are projected to be smaller than increases in heat-related deaths in most regions. Death rates can also change, however, as people acclimate to higher temperatures and as communities strengthen their heat response plans and take other steps to continue to adapt.
“Certain population groups already face higher risks of heat-related death, and increases in summertime temperature variability will increase that risk. The population of adults aged 65 and older, which is expected to continue to grow, has a higher-than-average risk of heat-related death. Children are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than adults, and they must rely on others to help keep them safe. People with certain diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, are especially vulnerable to excessive heat exposure, as are the economically disadvantaged. Data also suggest a higher risk among non-Hispanic Blacks.”
Trent, CA Dept. of Health Services on Heat-Related (HR) Illness: “HR illness is described according to three stages of increasing severity:
- Heat cramps. Mild and easy to treat, this level involves fevers generally under 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat exhaustion: Involves fevers over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, often with vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue.
- Heat stroke: A severe and life-threatening failure of body’s ability to cool (e.g., sweating ceases), with fevers over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat stroke can result in organ and neurologic damage and lead quickly to death.” (p. 3)
“Exertional heat stroke tends to occur among younger (under 50 years old), healthier persons who develop heat stroke after strenuous activity and inadequate hydration. The result is dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Exposures may involve work or recreational activities outdoors.
“Classic heat stroke tends to occur among persons who are older (over 50 years old), frail, and with chronic diseases. They may take medications, have psychological or cognitive problems, and live alone. They are assumed to have a compromised thermoregulatory response due to their age, illnesses, and medications. They generally are not in an air conditioned space when discovered with heat stroke symptoms or deceased.” (p. 5)
(Trent, Roger B., Ph.D. (CA Dept. of Health Services). Review of July 2006 Heat Wave Related Fatalities in California. Sacramento, CA: Epidemiology and Prevention for Injury Control Branch, California Department of Health Services, May 2007.)
Associated Press (Anita Snow and Kendria Lafleur), Mishmash of how US heat deaths are counted complicates efforts to keep people safe as Earth warms.” 8-13-2023:
“….Even when it seems obvious that extreme heat was a factor, death certificates don’t always reflect the role it played. Experts say a mishmash of ways more than 3,000 counties calculate heat deaths means we don’t really know how many people die in the U.S. each year because of high temperatures in an ever warming world.
“That imprecision harms efforts to better protect people from extreme heat because officials who set policies and fund programs can’t get the financial and other support needed to make a difference….Currently, about the only consistency in counting heat deaths in the U.S. is that officials and climate specialists acknowledge fatalities are grossly undercounted…
“ ‘It’s frustrating that for 90 years public health officials in the United States have not had a good picture of heat-related mortality because we have such a bad data system,’ said Dr. David Jones, a Harvard Medical School professor who also teaches in the epidemiology department at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
“There is no uniformity among who does the counting across U.S. jurisdictions. Death investigations in some places might be carried out by a medical examiner, typically a physician trained in forensic pathology. In other locales, the coroner could be an elected sheriff, such as the one in Orange County, California. In some small counties in Texas, a justice of peace might determine cause of death. Utah and Massachusetts are among states that do not track heat-related deaths where exposure to extreme heat was a secondary factor.
“The CDC, which is often several years behind in reporting, draws information on heat deaths from death certificate information included in local, state, tribal and territorial databases. The CDC said in a statement that coroners and others who fill out death certificates ‘are encouraged to report all causes of death,’ but they may not always associate those contributing causes to an extreme heat exposure death and include the diagnostic codes for heat illnesses.
“Hess, the Arizona coroner [Pima County medical examiner], said determining environmental heat was a factor in someone’s death is difficult and can take weeks or even months of investigation including toxicological tests. ‘If someone was shot in the head, it’s pretty obvious what happened there,’ Hess said. ‘But when you find a body in a hot apartment 48 hours after they died, there is a lot of ambiguity.’ Hess noted that Pima County this year began including heat-related deaths in its tally of environmental heat fatalities….”
Arizona
NCEI/NOAA, mid June Phoenix area: “Very strong high pressure developed in the upper atmosphere across the desert southwest during the middle of June, beginning on Saturday, June 18th and continuing into the middle of the following week. The very warm temperatures aloft, combined with dry air and sunny skies allowed high temperatures to climb to dangerous levels across the lower deserts each day. Desert high temperatures on Saturday reached or exceeded 110 degrees in many locations and by Sunday, many hotter deserts ranged between 115 and 120 degrees. An Excessive Heat Warning was issued for all of the lower Arizona deserts, starting 1000MST Sunday and continuing through the middle of the following week. The dangerous heat led to the deaths of multiple people, including a mountain biker in the greater Phoenix area during the morning hours on Sunday, June 19th.
“Very strong high pressure aloft developed across Arizona during the middle of June 2016, beginning on Saturday June 18th and persisting into early next week. In combination with dry air and sunny skies, the strong high pressure led to the development of dangerous heat across the lower central deserts. The high temperature for the day was 111 at Phoenix and although an Excessive Heat Warning was not yet in effect, heat impact level data suggested that borderline warning conditions had already developed across the greater Phoenix area and northern Pinal county. According to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, a 25 year old man died while hiking on the Peralta Trail in Gold Canyon during the afternoon hours on June 18th. The victim died as a result of exposure to extreme heat; search and rescue teams were called out to the trail just after 1330MST. According to the Sheriff’s Office, a friend told deputies that the victim started hiking at 0730MST for what was to be a day hike; unfortunately he ran out of water after just a few hours. Shortly thereafter he exhibited signs of heat illness and the friend called 911 for help. The man’s condition continued to get worse, he lost consciousness and never recovered. This was just one of three heat-related emergency calls within a four hour period on Saturday in the Superstition wilderness. The other two victims ended up with just minor heat-related injuries.” (Storm Events Database.)
NCEI/NOAA, July 22, Phoenix area: “Excessive heat developed across the south central deserts, including the greater Phoenix area, on Friday July 22nd and the high temperature at Phoenix officially reached 112 degrees. An Excessive Heat Warning was in effect during the afternoon hours as a result of the dangerous heat. Unfortunately the heat turned deadly; a 12 year old boy died after hiking in North Phoenix during the afternoon hours. According to Fox 10 news, the 12 year old was hiking the Apache Wash trail with a family friend during the afternoon when he was overcome by the excessive heat. The man tried unsuccessfully to carry him down from the trail but had to leave him on the trail when he went for help. The man also tried to use his cell phone to call for help but the phone was not working. They both had 2 liters of water with them at the time of the incident. Phoenix fire crews were called to the scene at 5 pm and the boy was flown to Phoenix Children’s Hospital where he later died. Captain Ardell Deliz with the fire department said that children can start experiencing heat-related illness sooner than an adult due to having a much higher metabolism. They don’t sweat the same as an adult and cannot regulate their temperature as effectively as an adult.” (Storm Events Database.)
NCEI/NOAA, June 18-20 Tucson area: “A three-day stretch of very hot temperatures resulted in four heat-related fatalities and at least 19 heat-related illnesses in southeast Arizona, all of which were reported in Eastern Pima County. Out of three men who were hiking the Ventana Canyon Trail Sunday, June 19th, two died of heat stroke, although one was not found until Tuesday. The third man suffered heat-related injuries but survived. A woman died of heat stoke that same day hiking Finger Rock Trail. Her companion was airlifted to a hospital for treatment of heat-related illness. Also on that same day, a woman walking the city’s Loop walking and biking trail succumbed to heat stroke near Interstate 10 and Irvington. Tucson International Airport recorded its third hottest day ever and the warmest day since 1994 with a record setting 115 degrees on June 19th. Other record highs on the 19th included 115 degrees at Picacho Peak, 119 at Organ Pipe National Monument, 112 at Safford and 109 at Nogales and Bisbee-Douglas Airport. On June 20th, additional record highs were set although the actual temperatures were not quite as hot.” (Storm Events Database.)
Media
June 19: “Record-breaking heat across Arizona shattered temperature records Sunday and claimed at least four lives on hiking trails in and around Phoenix and Tucson over the weekend. Weather forecasters predicted little relief Monday, especially along the state’s western edges.
“Temperatures in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tucson and Yuma broke daily records Sunday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Phoenix reached 118 degrees, Tucson 115 degrees, Flagstaff 93 degrees and Yuma soared to 120 degrees, that city’s fourth-hottest day on record.
“But the heat turned deadly for some. At least four deaths were attributed to the hot weather this weekend: a hiker in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, another hiker on the Peralta Trail in the Superstition Mountains, a third hiker near Finger Rock Canyon outside Tucson and a fourth in Ventana Canyon, also near Tucson….” (Arizona Republic (Amanda Etchison), Phoenix. “Arizona temp records toppled by deadly heat wave.” 6-19-2016.)
June 20: “Two hikers, a man and a woman, traveling with different hiking groups on separate trails north of Tucson died Sunday, as temperatures soared to 115 degrees in the city, its third-hottest day on record. More heat-related deaths, including a 28-year-old woman who died while mountain biking, were reported in the Phoenix area this weekend where temperatures topped out at 118 degrees…
“The female hiker, believed to be in her early twenties and from out of state, was hiking the Finger Rock Trail with a male partner when they lost their way, according to Deputy Courtney Rodriguez, a Pima County Sheriff’s spokesperson. A call for help was placed around 11:30 a.m., Rodriguez said. Search and rescue deputies from the sheriff’s department and Southern Arizona Rescue Association attempted to retrieve the two by helicopter, but the woman died before they reached the scene. The male hiker was transported to Banner-University Medical Center, where he is being treated for his injuries.
“Another hiker, believed to be European, died Sunday afternoon while exploring a trail in Ventana Canyon with two friends, one of whom is still missing, Rodriguez said. Three search and rescue operations were conducted in total in the Tucson area, including one near Seven Falls in Sabino Canyon.
“Tucson’s 115-degree high surpasses the previous record for the date of 112 degrees set in 1989. It’s also a few degrees shy of Tucson’s hottest temperature ever recorded of 117 degrees set on June 26, 1990. Phoenix also hit a new record for the day, reaching 118 degrees and surpassing the previous record of 115 degrees set in 1960. Other areas that experienced record-breaking heat for the day included the Bisbee-Douglas International Airport with 109 degrees, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument with 119 degrees, Nogales with 109 degrees and Safford with 112 degrees…” (Arizona Daily Star, Tucson. “Record Tucson heat leads to deaths of two hikers.” 6-20-2016.)
Nevada
NCEI/NOAA: “High temperatures in Las Vegas ranged from 105F to 109F for six days [June 3-8], with five of the six reaching 107F or higher. The excessive heat caused or contributed to ten deaths.” (Storm Events Database.)
Oklahoma
NCEI/NOAA: “A strong ridge of high pressure aloft was anchored over the south central United States during the middle of the month [June]. This pattern resulted in temperatures in the mid 90s to near 100 across much of eastern Oklahoma. This heat combined with unseasonably high humidity resulted in heat indices in the 110 to 115 degree range during the afternoons of the 15th through the 17th. Two heat-related fatalities occurred in Tulsa County during this period. One of the fatalities was the result of a man doing roofing work, and the other was a woman who was found dead in her home with no air conditioning. During this period, at least 29 other people were treated for heat-related illness in Tulsa County that required medical assistance.” (Storm Events Database.)
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[1] CDC Wonder shows deaths only for direct heat-caused deaths. It does not include heat-associated or heat-related deaths reported by Counties or States (see Arizona, for example).
[2] The difference in the CDC numbers is that the CDC does not show deaths in States if less than 10.
[3] Null. 2016 Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths: Total = 39. Null provides news article which notes a parent worked at the Space Flight Center, and forgot to drop the child off at the childcare center. Child was in car all day.
[4] Null, who identifies victim as Zachary Bowden, and the high temperature that day as 92 degrees. Also: WKRG News 5, Mobile, AL. “Monroeville Mom Arrested in Death of Baby in Hot Car.” 5-2-2016. WKRG report notes “that at the time of the baby’s death, his core body temperature was 110 degrees.”
[5] “Heat Caused (HC): Cases that mention heat or heat exposure in Part I of the death certificate causes of death.”
[6] “Heat-associated deaths are deaths where exposure to excessive natural heat is listed anywhere on the death record…” (p. 1).
[7] Maricopa County Public Health. Heat-Associated Deaths in Maricopa County, AZ Final Report for 2016, pp.3-5. Notes that the great majority of deaths occurred June-Aug (55 in June, 55 in July and 30 in August), (p. 5). 54 of the deaths were homeless and 59 were people living alone. (p. 17).
[8] Null. 2016 Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths: Total = 39.
[9] Three hrs into ride and about one mile from parking lot return (KPNX 12); NCEI/NOAA Storm Events Database.
[10] Victim identified as Anthony Quatela. (KPNX 12 News, 6-19-2016.)
[11] NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat.
[12] From table: “Pima County Heat Related Fatalities 20-10-2018.”
[13] NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat.
[14] NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat. The victim, Jana Kirkpatrick, “died of hyperthermia and exposure to the elements” on a day when the temperature reached 125 degrees. (AL.com. “Alabama nurse killed by Arizona heat was mourning sister’s death, family says.” 6-39-2016, updated 3-6-2019.)
[15] NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat.
[16] NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat.
[17] Arkansas Democrat Gazette. “Heat ruled killer of Arkansas guardsman…during training exercise.” 9-22-2016.
[18] OSHA. Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries. Inspection: 1153860.015.
[19] Null. 2016 Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths: Total = 39.
[20] OSHA. Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries. Inspection: 1167517.015.
[21] Los Angeles Times. “Hiker dies in Joshua Tree National Park as heat wave bakes Southern California.” 8-15-2016.
[22] Null, who identifies the boy as Kenny Hyppolite; TCPalm (Nicholas Samuel), FL, “2-year-old found unconscious, pronounced dead at hospital in Fort Pierce,” 7-15-2016.
[23] Null, who identifies victim as Micayle Goolsby, and the temperature that day reaching 88 degrees. Also: Local10ABC News (Amanda Batchelor and Terrell Forney). “No arrests made after 11-month-old girl dies in hot van.” 5-24-2016/5-25-2016 update.
[24] Null. 2016 Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths: Total = 39.
[25] Null; also, ABC 3 (David Gonzalez), Pensacola, FL, “Toddler dies days after being found in hot car,” 7-25-2016. ABC 3 wrote that a female relative (19) was babysitting, but that the boy had been able to leave the home, get inside a car in the yard, where he was found about 3 hours later. When police arrived the outdoor temperature was 94°.
[26] Null. 2016 Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths: Total = 39.
[27] Null, who identifies the girls as Ariel Roxanne and Alaynah Maryanne North. Also: ABC News (Brian McBride). “Father Arrested in Hot Car Deaths of 15-Month-Old Twins in Georgia.” 8-5-2016.
[28] The victim, Johnny Tolbert III, died on July 28 after suffering a heatstroke two weeks earlier at a football practice. (Courthouse News Service. “Mothers Sues Football Program Over Son’s Death.” 12-28-2016.)
[29] OSHA. Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries. Inspection: 1169801.015.
[30] Null; also Des Moines Register (Charly Haley and Morgan Gstalter), IA. “Police: Baby dies after being left in hot car by father.” 6-13-2016. Null identifies victim as Tyresse Rayshawn Washington.
[31] Null, who identifies the girl as Olivia Ann Engstrom and the outdoor temperature. Also: Fox 4 News, Kansas City. “18-month-old girl found dead in hot car, after playing outside with other kids,” 8-1-2016.
[32] KAKE, Great Bend. “Sheriff: Heat a factor in Kansas woman’s death.” 6-17-2016.
[33] KSNT (Bob Thibault), Topeka, KS. “Likely heat-related death reported in Kansas.” 6-17-2016.
[34] The father, 34, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. (Associated Press. “Kentucky man sentenced in heat-related death of 5-month-old daughter.” WKYT, 3-15-2019.)
[35] Null, who identifies victim as LaVontae Swain, and the outdoor temperature as 85 degrees. Also: WDRB (Gil Corsey), Louisville. “Mother responds to toddler’s death, found in hot daycare van outside Louisville elementary school.” 4-19-2016/updated 4-20-2016. WDRB report notes that according to Louisville police the victim had been in the van about “three to four hours.”
[36] Null; also, 4WWL TV, New Orleans, LA. “Police: 8-month-old dead after father forgets her in car.” 6-9-2016. Null identifies victim as Raylee Mercer, and the outdoor temperature as 91°. 4WWL article notes the father “was supposed to drive the infant to daycare abut forgot and followed his normal daily routine. Instead, police said he drove to Madison Preparatory School, where he’s a baseball coach.” Father charged with negligent homicide.
[37] Null; also, Shreveport Times, LA. “Toddlers found unresponsive in truck have died.” 6-20-2016. Identified as Oliver and Aria Orr. Outdoors temperature at the time noted as 93 degrees.
[38] OSHA. Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries. Inspection: 1176023.015.
[39] “28 people died due to heat in 2018, up significantly from 5 in 2017, 17 in 2016, 6 in 2015 and 8 in 2014.”
[40] Press account identified victim as William Lee Rowe, 57 and notes that the Michigan OSHA did not learn of this work-related fatality until Sept. 27, 2016. (Mlive. “Michigan workers killed on the job in 2016.” 4-29-2017.)
[41] Null, who identifies victim as Caroline Bryant and the temperature that day as reaching 85 degrees. Also: Clarion-Ledger (Harold Gater), MS. “Child left in vehicle in Madison Co. identified.” 5-12-2016. Another article cites Madison County Coroner for finding that death was due to hyperthermia. (MS News Now. “Child in Madison County hot car death died from hyperthermia.” 7-13-2016.)
[42] Null identifies victim as Shania Rihanna Caradine, and the outdoor temperature as reaching 88⁰. Also: Washington Post (Peter Holley). “Father charged with murder in Mississippi after leaving infant daughter in hot car.” 5-22-2016.
[43] “A former Long Beach, Mississippi, cop tearfully admitted in court Monday that she was having sex with her supervisor while her 3-year-old daughter was dying in her hot patrol car in 2016. Cassie Barker, 29, pleaded guilty to reduced charges of culpable negligence and manslaughter in a plea deal with the state, according to media reports. Barker’s daughter, Cheyenne Heyer, was strapped in a car seat inside the patrol car for about four hours on Sept. 30, 2016. The air conditioning was running in the patrol car, but was not blowing cold air, and the toddler was unresponsive when Barker returned to the car…Cheyenne’s body temperature was 107 degrees and she died of heat exposure, according to authorities….The minimum sentence Barker could receive is two years in prison…Both Barker and her then-supervisor, Clark Ladner, were fired after the toddler’s death, the Sun Herald reported….” (Mississippi Patch. “Ex-cop Admits to Sex with Supervisor While Child Died in Hot Car.” 3-19-2019.)
[44] Null. 2016 Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths: Total = 39.
[45] Our extrapolation from table “Hyperthermia Mortality, Missouri 1980-2016,” p. 2.
[46] OSHA. Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries. Inspection: 1169509.015.
[47] NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Notes “prolonged period of hazardous heat and humidity.” Man became “overheated during a strenuous workday trimming trees.” Also OSHA inspection 1165351.015.
[48] Null, who identifies the child as Raiden James Wells. Also: Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, “2-year-old boy dies in McDonald County, Mo., after getting stuck in car,” 7-25-2016.
[49] Null. 2016 Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths: Total = 39.
[50] “The Southern Nevada Health District reported 123 heat-related deaths among Clark County residents in 2017, an increase from 78 reported deaths in 2016.
[51] OSHA. Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries. Inspection: 1180697.015.
[52] Null; also WKTC, Rome, NY. “Rome police officer’s baby dies after being left in vehicle.” 6-7-2016.
[53] Police training academy during physical training session. “Although the training area was partially shaded…the temperature was about 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity was about 79 percent. These conditions rated a black flag warning, indicating that outdoor physical exercise was extremely unsafe.” After collapse, “A measurement of his core temperature registered 105.9 degrees Fahrenheit about one hour after his death. The incident investigation revealed that no water breaks were provided during the training, nor was there an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) onsite. The training staff did not provide water at the training location and the AED that was normally located in the first aid bag used by the training staff was not present due to the fact that the person who normally brought the first aid bag to the physical training was on vacation and the AED was not packed into the first aid bag.”
[54] Null. 2016 Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths: Total = 39.
[55] Null. 2016 Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths: Total = 39.
[56] Null; also WWAYTV3, Wilmington. “Baby Found Dead in Mother’s Car at Wilmington Daycare.” 5-25-2016. Null identifies victim as Jefferson Brady Wilkins, and notes the outdoor temperature as 86 degrees. WWAYTV3 notes “…police were told the baby’s parent went to pick up the child from the daycare and realized they had never dropped off the child. Police believe the child may have been in the car since 9:30 a.m.” Also notes: “…experts who track heat related deaths of children left in vehicles say on a day where temperatures reach 86 degrees the inside temperature of a car could have been in excess of 135 degrees.” Notes “no charges have been filed.”
[57] Null; WHIO. “Funeral set for boy, 3, found in hot car in Moraine.” 7-13-2016. WHIO identifies boy as Camilo Juarez and writes that prior to his being found in the car, the family had called police to note he was missing.
[58] OSHA. Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries. Inspection: 1167945.015.
[59] Null. 2016 Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths: Total = 39.
[60] Null. 2016 Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths: Total = 39.
[61] 5Newsonline.com. “Oklahoma Heat Claims Life of Rogers Woman During Mormon Pioneer Trek.” 6-23-2016.
[62] The employee was working on a bridge construction project, when he started feeling unwell, and left to go back to hotel, but collapsed and died in hallway. (OSHA)
[63] Running Magazine (Tim Huebsch). “23-year-old dies from heat stroke complications at a Pennsylvania half-marathon.” 8-29-2016.
[64] NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database.
[65] Null; also ABC 16 (Suzanne Goldklang), Moosic, PA, “Neighbors React to Child’s Death in Williamsport,” 7-23-2016, which identifies child as Samaria Motyka.
[66] NewportRI.com. “Death of Portsmouth man may be heat-related.” 7-27-2016. The man and his wife left the walk “and sought relief from the heat in Salve Regina University’s McKillop Library. Monday’s high temperature recorded at the Newport State Airport in Middletown was 86 degrees….Officials cannot confirm if the man’s death was heat-related, but Salve President Sister Jane Gerety sent an email to university faculty, staff and students indicating the hot weather may be a contributing factor” Victim entered a bathroom and was found unresponsive several minutes later. Also notes that “Newport Hospital’s emergency room reported 13 heat-related cases between Tuesday, July 19, and Tuesday, July 26. They included nine people for dehydration, three for fainting and one for heat exhaustion…”
[67] The State (Glen Luke Flanagan), Columbia SC. “31-year-old Columbia man the state’s first heat death.” 7-7-2016.
[68] Lexington County Chronicle and Dispatch News, SC. “Football Player’s Death Lawsuit Settled.” 10-23-2020.
[69] Associated Press. “Man dead from heat exposure had 109-degree body temperature.” 7-26-2016.
[70] Associated Press. “Coroner: SC man dies from heat in home where temp was 100.” 7-21-2016. Coroner estimated the victim had been dead about one week when body found by landlord.
[71] Table 46: “South Dakota Resident Leading Causes of Death Due to Accidents, 2014-2018.”
[72] OSHA. Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries. Inspection: 1173700.015.
[73] NCEI, NOAA. Storm Events Database.
[74] WFAA 8 (Demond Fernandez), Dallas. “Dallas County reports 1st heat-related death of 2016.” 6-17-2016. Identifies victim as Rodney Neil Taylor.
[75] Null, who notes the outdoor temperature that day as 100°. Also, Huffington Post (Emma Prestwich), “Boe Lei Sang, 2-Year-Old Boy, Dies After Being Left in Hot SUV While Parents Are in Dallas Church.” 7-26-2016.
[76] Null. 2016 Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths: Total = 39.
[77] Null. 2016 Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths: Total = 39.
[78] Null; also, Houston Chronicle (Will Axford). “Boy dies as mercury approaches 100. HPD: Safety locks kept child from escaping.” 6-16-2016. Victim identified as Evan Trapolino.
[79] Stamford Advocate (Cindy George). “Harris County couple found dead of likely heat-related causes.” 8-12-2016. Couple identified as Jerome Clark, 64, and Cynthia Clark, 69. “‘More than likely heat strokes,’ their pastor…said Friday morning. Loved ones later learned that the couple’s air conditioning unit broke down over the weekend and neither one asked for help….Houston has been gripped by stifling triple-digit temperatures this week that have caused authorities to issue heat advisories every day since Monday. The National Weather Service heat advisory is announced when the temperature in any zone is expected to exceed 100 degrees for at least two hours. In the Houston area this week, heat and humidity have combined for a heat index of a ‘feels like’ temperature of 110⁰.”
[80] OSHA. Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries. Inspection: 1163554.015.
[81] Null, who identifies victim as Peyton Hale-Williams and notes outdoor temperature reached 84 degrees. Also: KTRE 9, Lufkin, TX. “JP [Justice of Peace] releases name of baby who died after being left in car.” 3-17-2016. KTRE article notes that the grandmother sent to work at an assisted care facility and forgot to remove child from car.
[82] Null, identifies boy as Fern Thedford and outdoor temperature as 93°; Dallas Morning News (Claire Z. Cardona). “With weeks to go before summer’s over, hot car death toll nearly at last year’s.” 7-26-2016, notes the child was left in the car for three hours before the father remembered he was in the car; he was charged with manslaughter.
[83] Construction worker in direct sunlight. Taken to hospital where his temperature was 104.9 degrees; died two hours later. (OSHA)
[84] Null, who identifies girl as Lela Marie Petrarca; Dallas Morning News (Claire Z. Cardona). “With weeks to go before summer’s over, hot car death toll nearly at last year’s.” 7-26-2016.
[85] OSHA. Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries. Inspection: 1163249.015.
[86] Null, who identifies victim as Ashley Elizabeth Rockefeller, and the outdoor temperature as 71 degrees. Also: Washington Post (Dana Hedgpeth and Victoria St. Martin). “Girl, 2, dies after being left in the back seat of a car in Annandale.” 4-21-2016. WP notes that the boyfriend of the victim’s mother was charged with involuntary manslaughter and felony child neglect.
[87] OSHA. Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries. Inspection: 1164344.015.
[88] OSHA. Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries. Inspection: 1198219.015.
[89] OSHA. Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries. Inspection: 1166197.015. Victim had a body temperature of 109 degrees when admitted to a hospital on Monday. He died there Wednesday evening. (Channel3000 News. “Another probable heat death investigated in Milwaukee.” 7-28-2016.)
[90] Channel3000 News. “Another probable heat death investigated in Milwaukee.” 7-28-2016.
[91] Cites IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change). 2014.