2012 — Excessive Heat, esp. AZ/209, CA/66, TX/62, IL/54, MO/54, MD/46, VA/WI/24– 879
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 2-20-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
— 879 Blanchard tally from State breakouts below.
— 837 Hurt, Alyson (NPR), citing National Center for Health Statistics, in Huang, 8-26-2023.
— 827 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, Census Region, T67 ICD-10 code search.
— 53 Northeast –310 South
–238 Midwest –226 West
— 779 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, Census Region, X30 ICD-10 code search.
— 49 Northeast –291 South
–226 Midwest –213 West
— 769 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, Census Region, T67 and X30 code search.
— 48 Northeast –290 South
–220 Midwest –211 West
— 760 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 search.
— 474 CDC WONDER. ICD-10 X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat) search 8-17-2016.[1]
— 155 National Weather Service. NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
–<100 Hertsgarrd. “Feel the Burn: Making…2012 Heat Wave…” The Nation, 8-13-20-2012.[2]
— >87 NBC. “Heatwave blamed for at least 87 deaths across 13 states.” 7-9-2012, 6:34 pm.
ICDC Codes used in CDC Wonder Online Database: (The T67 and X30 codes we use are the “Census Region” and two “State” 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 for “Census Region.”)
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; hyperthermia. [Underlying (or primary) cause of death.]
Summary of Fatalities by State and the District of Columbia
Alabama 13
Arizona 209
Arkansas 19
California 66
District of Columbia 1
Florida 17
Georgia 14
Illinois 54
Indiana 23
Iowa 11
Kansas 12
Kentucky 2
Louisiana 13
Maryland 46
Massachusetts 1
Michigan 15
Minnesota 14
Mississippi 16
Missouri 54
Nebraska 11
Nevada 23
New Jersey 1
New Mexico 1
New York 16
North Carolina 17
Ohio 20
Oklahoma 18
Pennsylvania 23
South Carolina 10
Tennessee 25
Texas 62
Virginia 24
West Virginia 4
Wisconsin 24
Total 879
Detailed Breakout of Fatalities by State
Alabama 13
–13 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 search.
–13 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
— 8 NWS, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
— 1 Mobile, May 5. Environmental hyperthermia; Audrey Moore, 2-years-old.[3]
— 1 Thomasville area, Aug 3. Prolonged exposure to heat, field work; male, 38.[4]
Arizona 209
–209 Blanchard tally using AZ DPH number of 157 heat-associated deaths, except for accepting
Maricopa County DPH number of 102 heat associated deaths instead of 50 fatalities
noted by State DPH.
–157 Arizona Dept. Health Services. “Heat-Caused & Heat-Related Deaths…(2011-2021).”
–97 Heat-Caused deaths
–60 Heat-Related deaths
County Breakout
–50 Maricopa County
–35 Pima County
— 6 Yuma County
— ? Several other counties were asterisked meaning there were 1-6 suppressed deaths.
–157 KJZZ 91.5, AZ. “Big Drop in Arizona Heat-Related Deaths in 2014.” 5-8-2015.[5]
–109 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–102 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
— 51 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 4 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
Maricopa County:
–102 Maricopa Co. DPH. Impact of Extreme Heat on Human Mortality and Morbidity.[6]
[Notes that 57 other deaths had been investigated and ruled out as heat-associated, and 13
were still under investigation.]
— 40 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
–13 Female
–27 Male
— 6 Maricopa County. ABC15.com. “Maricopa County sees spike in heat deaths.” 7-10-2012.
–1 Maricopa Co., Gilbert, June 1. Heat stress; outside concrete worker picking up large metal brackets.[7]
–1 Maricopa Co., Mesa, July 9. Girl (Teonna George-Brown), 4 mos.; unattended in car by baby-sitter.[8]
–1 Yuma Co., Somerton, July 11. Male, 72, home with no air-conditioning and temp. at 100+°.[9]
Arkansas 19
— 19 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 search.
— 19 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
— 12 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
–4-5 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 4 NWS, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
Locality Breakouts for Arkansas:
–1 Benton Co., Aug 4, boy (Lincoln A. Brunner), 3, in hot car, up to 102° outside.[10]
–1 Blytheville, June 21. Hwy/bridge construction worker “collapsed and died possibly from heat stress.”[11]
–1 Fayetteville, June 24. Heat stroke; David Lopez, 39, construction worker.[12]
–1 Newport, Jackson Co., Aug 3. Girl (Landyn Tickle), 16-months, left in vehicle, 96° outside.[13]
–1 Springdale, Aug 2, boy (Joniah Darius Chronister), 2, left unattended in hot car.[14]
California 66
— 66 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 search.
— 63 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–3-5 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
— 3 NWS, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
Locality Breakouts for California:
— 1 Death Valley National Park, Aug 7. Heat stroke; male, 34, running.[15]
— ? Heber, May 22. “Possible heat stress fatality.” Worker harvesting cantaloupes.[16]
— ? Livermore, May 19. “Possible heat stress fatality. Worker catering all-day outdoors.[17]
— 1 Mecca area, Salton Sea desert, Coachella Valley, Riverside Co., May 12. Male, 86.[18]
— 1 Palm Desert, Aug 21. Heat-related illness at work; worker digging trenches, installing conduits.[19]
Florida 17
–17 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 search.
–13 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–12 Gorucu. “Natural Heat-Related Deaths In Florida: 2010-2020.” Univ. of FL, IFAS Ext.
— 1 Miami, Sep 25; 6-month girl (Rozalyn Ramos) left unattended 9-hours in vehicle.[20]
— 1 Sebring, Sep 7; girl (Amelia King), 1 year, let unattended in vehicle, heat stroke.[21]
— 1 Tamarac, Broward County, Aug 1; SUV in parking lot for 3C’s Day Academy.[22]
Georgia 14
–14 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 search.
–14 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–12 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
Illinois 54
–54 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 search.
–53 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–33 Blanchard tally from county breakouts below.
–32 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
–17 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 28 Cook County, Blanchard tally from individual breakouts below.
— 8 Cook County, July 7-8.[23]
— 18 Cook County, by July 8.[24]
— 19 Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times. “Woman is 19th to die from heat this month…” 7-10-2012.
—>23 Cook County, July 4-11. NCDC Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, IL, Cook.
— 27 Cook County, by July 25.[25]
? 33 Cook County. Blanchard tally of breakouts below.[26]
–Eugene Burns, 53, of Maywood,[27] July 5.[28]
–Levi Calhoun, 54, Chicago. Heart disease and heat stress as secondary cause, by July 9.[29]
–Pamela Dairyco, 65, 4900 block, West Fullerton Avenue.[30]
–Linda Figgures, 46, 6600 block, South Damen Avenue.[31]
–Sherry Garrett, 53, Chicago. Heart disease and heat stress as secondary cause, by July 9.[32]
–Lucille Griffith, 100, Chicago. Heart disease; heat stress as secondary cause, by July 9.[33]
–Dorothy Hawkins, 79, 7400 block, South Yates Boulevard.[34] Heart and heat.[35]
? Iona Kedrics, found deceased July 2 in Southside home.[36]
–Riley Kimble, 59, 1800 block of West Superior Street.[37]
–Mark Locerquist, 53, 1500 block, North Pulaski Road.[38]
–Ruben Martinez, 70s, 4500 block, North Clark St., found decomposed July 10.[39]
–Jon McCullough, 48, 2300 block, W. Ainslie, Northwest Side., July 5.[40]
–John McGill, 57, 4800 block of West Irving Park Road, July 10.[41]
–Albert McKinney, 64, Englewood com.; Diabetic ketoacidosis/heat stress; found July 24.[42]
–Carmen Mercado, 81, 2000 block, West Superior Street.[43]
–Irene Moriarty, 89, Summit. Heart disease and heat stress as secondary cause, by July 9.[44]
–Ann Narcisse, 78, Chicago. Heart disease and heat stress as secondary cause, by July 9.[45]
–Frank Proczek, 58, 5000 block, South Western Avenue.[46]
–Dorothy J. Short, 68, 8800 block, South Cottage Grove Avenue, July 11.[47]
–John Stacey, 81, Chicago. Heart disease and heat stress as secondary cause, by July 9.[48]
–Anthony Thomas, 48. Heart disease with heat stress as secondary cause, by July 9.[49]
–Mary Williams, 56, Chicago. Heart disease and heat stress as secondary cause, by July 9.[50]
–Pat Wong (female), 91, 4200 block, North Winchester Avenue.[51]
–Unidentified female, 61, home. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.
–Unidentified female, 79, home. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.
–Unidentified male, 55, home. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.
–Unidentified male, 56, home. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.
–Unidentified male, 68, home. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.
? Unidentified male, 70, home. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.[52]
–Unidentified male, 73, home. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.
–Unidentified male, 50, home. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Heat. July 17-18.[53]
–Unidentified male, 60, home. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Heat. July 17-18.[54]
–Unidentified female, 69, home. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Heat. July 17-18.[55]
? Unidentified male 64, Chicago. Heat-related illness. Storm Events Database.[56]
–Unidentified male, 52, Chicago. Heat stroke at home. Storm Events Database.[57]
–Unidentified male, believed to be in his 30s, found at 2 s. Cicero Avenue.[58]
— 1 Madison County, Collinsville, July 6. Heat-related illness; Timothy Murray, 56.[59]
— 1 “ “ Troy, July 8. Dorothy D. Scott, 88, home, thermostat on “heat”.[60]
— 1 Peoria County, Chillicothe, July 5. Heat stroke; Male, 64, at home. Temp. 101°.[61]
— 1 St. Clair Co., East St. Louis, July. Homeless man (Otha Bowman), 62, vacant bldg.[62]
— 1 St. Clair County, Fairmont City, ~Aug 5. Jean Delameter, 60, mobile home.[63]
Indiana 23
–23 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 search.
–23 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–15 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 6 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 5 UPI.com. “Record U.S. heat wave deaths up to 52.” 7-8-2012, 11:47 pm.
— 3 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
Breakouts of Indiana Heat-Related Fatalities by Locality (where noted):
–1 Floyd Co., Greenville, July 7. Father leaves daughter, 4-months, in car at parents home.[64]
–1 Marion Co., July 7. Male, 54, “found dead outside near his residence in extreme heat…”[65]
–1 Marion County, before July 8. Closed-up and unventilated home; Male, 92.[66]
–1 Vanderburgh Co., ~July 3. Hypothermia; Paul Armes, 73, mobile home.[67]
–1 Vanderburgh Co., ~July 3. Hypothermia; Marcella Armes, 66, mobile home.[68]
–1 Vanderburgh County, July 8. Male, 51, found dead outside along railroad tracks.[69]
Iowa 11
–11 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 search.
–10 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
Kansas 12
–12 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–11 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 search.
— 5 Associated Press. “Kansas continues to bake as heat death toll hits 5.” 7-25-2012.
— 2 USA Today. “Extreme heat wave is taking its toll…” 6-29-2012.
Kentucky 2
— 2 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 1 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
Locality Breakouts for Kentucky:
–1 Louisville, June 18. Lincoln Lindsay, 8-months; left in car in driveway by father.[70]
–1 Louisville, July 6. Heat stroke; male, 54, working in his yard.[71]
–? Olive Hill, June 15. Roof worker collapsed at work; “possible heat stress fatality.”[72]
Louisiana 13
–13 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–12 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–11 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 3 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 2 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
Breakout of Louisiana Heat-Related Fatalities (where noted):
— 1 Jefferson Parish, Sep 3. Heat stroke, male, 90, at home. Storm Events Database.
— 1 Lafayette, Lafayette Parish, June 25. Gavin Matthew Gholston, 11-months; hot car.[73]
— 1 Shreveport, Aug 22. Girl, 6-months; left in vehicle unattended at LSU Health.[74]
Maryland 46
–46 Baltimore Sun. “15 Md. heat-related deaths tallied this summer…” 9-17-2013.[75]
–43 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–42 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–38 Baltimore Sun (Dance). “Four more died in heat, state health officials say.” 8-7-2012.
–18 ~June 28-July 9. Baltimore Sun. “Five added to death toll from heat.” 7-10-2012.[76]
–18 Washington Post. “Heat-related deaths climb to 31 in D.C., Md., Va.” 7-10-2012.
–16 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
–15 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
–13 CBS Baltimore. “Number of Deaths During Heat Wave Rises To 13.” 7-8-2012, 9:43.
–12 June 30-July 13. CDC. “Heat-Related Deaths After…” MMWR, 6-7-2013, 433-436.
–12 Singh. “Heat Advisory: Nearly 700 Americans Die…Heat…” Medical Daily, 6-7-2013.[77]
–10 UPI.com. “Record U.S. heat wave deaths up to 52.” 7-8-2012, 11:47 pm.
— 9 WTKR, Norfolk, VA. “Heat wave causing deaths across the US.” 7-7-2012.
— 4 WBAL.com, 1090 AM. “Heat Wave Blamed For Maryland Deaths.” 7-3-2012.[78]
— 4 NWS, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
Locality Breakouts (when noted):
–6 Baltimore City. Baltimore Sun. “Five added to death toll before heat faded.” 7-9-2012.
–2 Baltimore County. Baltimore Sun. “Five added to death toll before heat faded.” 7-9-2012.
–1 Baltimore, ~July 1. Heat-related; male senior citizen.[79]
–1 Baltimore, July 2. Male, over 65.[80]
–3 Baltimore, July 3-5. Two males over 65 and one male between 45 and 64.[81]
–3 Southern Baltimore, July 5. NCDC Storm Events Database. Excessive heat, MD.
–1 Southern Baltimore, July 8. NCDC Storm Events Database. Heat, MD. So. Baltimore
–1 Harford Co. Baltimore Sun. “Five added to death toll before heat faded.” 7-9-2012.
–1 Montgomery County, ~July 1. Heat wave death.[82]
–1 Montgomery County, July 3-5. Male over age of 65.[83]
–1 Prince George’s Co. WP. “Heat-related deaths…31 in D.C., Md., Va.” 7-10-2012.
–1 St. Mary’s Co. WP. “Heat-related deaths climb to 31 in D.C., Md., Va.” 7-10-2012.[84]
–1 Wicomico County, ~July 1. Heat-related; male senior citizen.[85]
–1 Wicomico County. Undisclosed details.[86]
Massachusetts 1 Aug 25, boy (Kaleb Wade Morning), 9 months; left unattended in vehicle.[87]
Michigan 15
–15 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–15 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
Minnesota 14
–14 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–11 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
— 6 MN Dept. of Health. Heat-related Deaths: Facts & Figures, 2000-2013 (webpage).[88]
— 3 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
Mississippi 16
–16 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–13 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–10 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 3 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
— 1 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
— 1 Louin, May 29. Girl, 2 crawls into car at home; outside temperature 98 degrees.[89]
— 1 Philadelphia, June 11. Heat exposure; girl (Ann Marie Graham), 3, left in car.[90]
— 1 Tishomingo County, July 1-8. Heat-related; male, 72, outside/open areas.[91]
Missouri 54
–54 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–52 NWS CRH, Kansas City, MO. Summer Weather Safety. “[MO] Heat Related Deaths.”[92]
–49 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–41 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
–39 Blanchard tally of county and locality breakouts below.
–34 NWS, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
–26 AP. “Death of St. Charles County resident blamed on heat wave…Missouri.” 7-24-2012.
Locality Breakouts for Missouri:
–10 Jackson Co. CDC WONDER. ICD-10 X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat) search 8-17-2016.
— 3 Jackson County, July 4-7. “…three heat related deaths reported.”[93]
— 6 Jackson County, July 18-25. “There were seven heat related deaths reported.”[94]
— 1 Jackson Co., Independence, July 24; John Watzlawick, exposure to excessive heat.[95]
— 2 Kansas City. Cummings. “Heat wave suspected in two deaths.” Kansas City Star, 6-28-2012.
— 1 “ AP. “Death of St. Charles County resident blamed on heat wave…” 7-24-2012.[96]
— 1 Lee’s Summit, Winterset Park, May 3; Heath Hubbard, 13-months, left in car.[97]
— 1 Madison County, July 8.[98]
— 1 St. Charles Co., July 1-8. Heat-related. Male, 64, mobile home, no air-conditioner.[99]
— 1? St. Clair County, Fairview Heights, July 7. Male, 44.[100]
–24 St. Louis area. Friswold. “St. Charles Confirms First Heat Death of Summer…” 7-24-2012.
–23 Blanchard tally of breakouts below.
–17 CDC WONDER. ICD-10 X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat) search 8-17-2016.
— 1 St. Louis, June 24. Hyperthermia, male, black, 64. City of St. Louis. Heat…Deaths.[101]
— 1 St. Louis, June 30. Hypothermia, female, black, 74. City of St. Louis. Heat…Deaths.
— 1 St. Louis, June 30. Hyperthermia. Male, 80 at home.[102]
— 1 St. Louis, July 1-8. Heat related; female, 83, at home.[103]
— 1 St. Louis, July 5. Hyperthermia. Female, 84, white. City of St. Louis. Heat…Deaths.[104]
— 1 St. Louis, July 5. Hyperthermia. Female, 76, white. City of St. Louis. Heat…Deaths.[105]
— 1 St. Louis, July 6. Hyperthermia. Female, 75, black. City of St. Louis. Heat…Deaths.[106]
— 1 St. Louis, July 6. Hyperthermia. Female, 8, black. City of St. Louis. Heat…Deaths.[107]
— 1 St. Louis, July 6. Hyperthermia. Female, 62, black. City of St. Louis. Heat… Deaths.[108]
— 1 St. Louis, July 6. Hyperthermia. Female, 72, black. City of St. Louis. Heat… Deaths.[109]
— 1 St. Louis, July 7. Hyperthermia. Male, 43, white. City of St. Louis. Heat Related Deaths.
— 1 St. Louis, July 7. Hyperthermia. Male, 70, black. City of St. Louis. Heat Related Deaths.
— 1 St. Louis, July 7. Hyperthermia. Male, 72, black. City of St. Louis. Heat…Deaths.[110]
— 1 St. Louis, July 7. Hyperthermia. Male, 43, white. City of St. Louis. Heat…Deaths.[111]
— 1 St. Louis, July 8. Hyperthermia. Male, 72, black. City of St. Louis. Heat…Deaths.[112]
— 1 St. Louis, July 10. Hyperthermia. Male, 71, black. City of St. Louis. Heat…Deaths.
— 1 St. Louis, July 10. Hyperthermia. Male, 65, black. City of St. Louis. Heat…Deaths.
— 1 St. Louis, July 16-19. Heat-related; male, 89, at home.[113]
— 1 St. Louis, July 31. Hyperthermia. Male, 74, white. City of St. Louis. Heat…Deaths.
— 1 St. Louis, Aug 2. Hyperthermia. Male, 57, black. City of St. Louis. Heat Related Deaths.
— 1 St. Louis County, Ballwin, July 16-19. Male, 89, home.[114]
— 1 St. Louis County, Lemay, July 10. Male, 76, home, inoperative air conditioner.[115]
— 1 St. Louis County, Northwoods, July 9.[116]
–1 Warren County, July 16-19. Excessive heat; male, 89, permanent home.[117]
Nebraska 11
–11 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
— 1 NWS, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
–1 Douglas County, June 27-28. Male, 48, died walking for help after car crash, 110°.[118]
Nevada 23
–23 Clark County. NV. Clark Co. Coroner’s Office in Las Vegas Review Journal, 6-30-2022.
–16 Non-homeless deaths
— 7 Homeless deaths.
–18 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–18 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
— 7 NWS, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
–1 Las Vegas, July 4. Heat complications; prolonged heat. Female, 60, outside.[119]
–1 Las Vegas Valley, July 11. Heat complications, male, 54, permanent structure.[120]
–1 Las Vegas, Aug 8-11. Heat complications. Male, 51, outside/open area.[121]
–1 Las Vegas, Aug 8-11. Heat complications. Male, 54, outside/open area.[122]
–1 Las Vegas, Aug 8-11. Heat complications. Male, 52, permanent structure.[123]
–1 Las Vegas Valley, Aug 14-15. Heat complications. Female, 64, outside/open area.[124]
–1 Las Vegas Valley, Aug 14-15. Heat complications. Male, 37, permanent structure.[125]
New Jersey 1
— 1 State. NWS, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
— 1 Hopewell, June 1. Heatstroke. Garbage collector during excessive heat advisory.[126]
New Mexico 1 NWS, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
–1 Albuquerque, Aug 6. Boy, 2, left unattended by aunt, 19 in hot car.[127]
New York 16
–16 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–14 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–12 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 1 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
–1 Southern Queens, June 21. Excessive heat; Male, 81.[128]
North Carolina 17
–17 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–17 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–13 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 1 Burke County, June 7, boy 2, inside junk vehicle in family’s backyard.[129]
Ohio 20
–20 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–20 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–13 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 7 June 30-July 13. CDC. “Heat-Related Deaths After an…” MMWR, 6-7-2013, pp. 433-436.
— 7 June 30-July 13. Singh. “Heat Advisory: Nearly 700 Americans Die…Heat…, 6-7-2013.
— 3 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
Locality Breakouts for Ohio:
–1 Licking County, July 1-7. Heat related illness; female, 84, permanent home.[130]
–1 Licking County, July 1-7. Heat related illness; male, 72, permanent home.[131]
–1 Licking County, July 1-7. Heat related illness; female, 85, permanent home.[132]
–1 Montgomery Co., Miamisburg, Aug 22. Heatstroke; male worker, first day, roofing job.[133]
Oklahoma 18
–18 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–18 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–13 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 1 Broken Arrow, Aug 7. Heat-related illness; residential framing worker.[134]
Pennsylvania 23
–23 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–23 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–17 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
–1 Lehigh County, Allentown, July 7. Hyperthermia, Male, 86.[135]
–2 Lehigh County, Weisenberg, July 4-7. Husband and wife, 90-years-old, at home.[136]
–1 Montgomery County, Lansdale, July 3 (body found). Female, 71, at home.[137]
–1 Montgomery County, Rockledge, July 2 (body discovered). Female, 57, at home.[138]
–1 Philadelphia, June 20-22. Excessive heat; female, 67, permanent home.[139]
–1 Philadelphia, June 29. Excessive heat; male, 70, home with closed windows.[140]
–1 Philadelphia/Mt. Airy, July 1. Male, 70 at home with windows closed.[141]
–1 Philadelphia, July 4-7. Excessive heat; female, 78, permanent home.[142]
–1 Philadelphia, July 4-7. Excessive heat; female, 80, permanent home.[143]
–1 Philadelphia, July 4-7. Excessive heat; male, 53, permanent home.[144]
–1 Philadelphia, July 4-7. Excessive heat; male, 58, permanent home.[145]
–1 Philadelphia, July 4-7. Excessive heat; male, 62, permanent home.[146]
–1 Philadelphia, July 8. Pocono Record. “Update: Sixth heat-related death…Pa.” 7-9-2012.
–1 Philadelphia, July 17-18. Excessive heat; male, 77, permanent home.[147]
–1 Philadelphia, July 26. Male, 51, permanent home.[148]
South Carolina 10
–10 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–10 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
— 1 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
Tennessee 25
–25 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–19 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–12 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
–10 Blanchard tally based on county and locality breakouts below.
— 8 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
Locality Breakouts for Tennessee:
–2 Bradley Co., Cleveland, June 28. Hyperthermia; boys, Leland (5) and River (3) Bates.[149]
–1 Davidson Co., Donelson, Aug 7; hypothermia; 5-month-old baby, unattended in minivan.[150]
–2 Rutherford Co., Smyrna, Aug 2, Savannah, 2, and Daniel Marise, 3, heat stroke in vehicle.[151]
–1 Shelby County, July 1-7. Heat related; female, 51, permanent structure.[152]
–1 Shelby County, July 1-7. Heat related; female, 62, permanent home.[153]
–1 Shelby County, July 1-7. Heat related; male, 60, permanent home.[154]
–1 Shelby County, July 25-26. Heat related; female, 64, permanent structure.[155]
–1 Shelby County, July 25-26. Heat related; male, 33, outside/open area.[156]
Texas 62
— 62 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 search.
— 59 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
— 40 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
–7-9 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 3 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
Locality Breakout for Texas:
–1 Bell County, Harker Heights, June 26. Heat stroke; male, 42, working outside, 105°.[157]
–1 Brazoria County, July 15. Boy, 2 months, left in car outside home, 90-plus° heat.[158]
–1 Dallas Co., Dallas, July 20. Boy (Benjamin Price), 3, left in day care van on a hot day.[159]
–1 Dallas Co., Dallas, July 31. Heatstroke/heat stress; male, 44, construction worker at work.[160]
–1 Duval Co., June 10. Heat stress leads to heart attack; undocumented male, 24, on foot.[161]
–1 Fort Bend Co., Sugar Land, May 3. Luke Johnson, 7-months, left in pickup much of hot day.[162]
–? McLennan Co., Elm Mott, July 13. Male construc. worker, 56, “died possibly from heat stress.”[163]
–1 Nueces Co., Corpus Christi, Aug 22, boy (Benito Rodriguez), 9 months, left in vehicle.[164]
–? Travis Co., Austin, June 15. Highway construction worker “possibly due to heat stress.”[165]
Virginia 24
–24 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
–23 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
–20 CDC WONDER. Primary Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
–12 June 30-July 13. CDC. “Heat-Related Deaths After an…” MMWR, 6-7-2013, pp. 433-436.
–12 Washington Post (Lena Sun). “Heat-related deaths…31 in D.C., Md., Va.” 7-10-2012
–12 Singh. “Heat Advisory: Nearly 700 Americans Die…Heat… Medical Daily, 6-7-2013.[166]
–10 New York Times. “Unrelenting Heat Wave Bakes All In Its Reach.” 7-7-2012.
–10 UPI.com. “Record U.S. heat wave deaths up to 52.” 7-8-2012, 11:47 pm.
— 6 Northern VA. WP (L. Sun). “Heat-related deaths…31 in D.C., Md., Va.” 7-10-2012.
— 5 Central VA. WP (L. Sun). “Heat-related deaths…31 in D.C., Md., Va.” 7-10-2012.
— 1 Western VA. WP (L. Sun). “Heat-related deaths…31 in D.C., Md., Va.” 7-10-2012.
— 1 Portsmouth, mid-July. Boy, 5-months; forgotten, left by father in family minivan.[167]
Washington, DC: 1
–1 Washington Post (Lena Sun). “Heat-related deaths climb to 31 in D.C., Md., Va.” 7-10-2012
–1 June 20. Hyperthermia. Outside paving worker, 98° with heat index of 102°[168]
West Virginia 4
— 4 Blanchard tally of CDC and locality breakouts below.[169]
Locality Breakouts for West Virginia:
— 1 June 30-July 13. CDC. “Heat-Related Deaths After an…” MMWR, 6-7-2013, 433-436.
— 1 Logan, July 31. “Worker cutting down trees collapsed and died from a possible heatstroke.”[170]
— 1 Parkersburg, Aug 30, girl (Mercedes Spirit Wise), 4, left and forgotten in vehicle.[171]
— 1 Silverton area, Jackson County, July 22. Girl, 3, left in vehicle at home 3 hours.[172]
Wisconsin 24
— 24 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, T67 ICD-10 code search.
— 24 CDC WONDER. Multiple Cause of Death, State, X30 ICD-10 code search.
— 24 State of WI. WI Wisconsin Heat Awareness Day June 12, 2014 (Press Release). 6-4-2014.
— 8-19 WTAQ, Green Bay. “8 heat related deaths in Wisconsin so far…” 7-16-2012.[173]
–17-18 Blanchard tally from county breakouts below.
— 13 CDC WONDER. Underlying Cause of Death, X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat).
— 13 National Weather Service, NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.
County Breakouts
–1 Barron County, July 1. Heat; female, 76, in wheelchair outside, high 80s temperature.[174]
–1 Barron County, July 1-7. Heat; female, 71, in apartment with temperature of 105 degrees.[175]
–1 Columbia County, July 2-7. Heat; female, age not noted, permanent home.[176]
–1 Columbia County, July 2-7. Heat; male, age not noted, permanent home.[177]
–1 Dane County, July 2-6. Direct heat related; male, 37, permanent home.[178]
–1? Kenosha Co., Kenosha, Aug 15. “…heart attack, possibly heat-related.” Outside painter.[179]
–1 Lacrosse County, Lacrosse, by July 6.[180]
–1 La Crosse County, Onalaska, Winona Daily News, “Heat wave turns deadly…” 7-7-2012.
— 5 Milwaukee County. AP. “5 suspected heat-related deaths in Milwaukee Co.” 7-9-2012.
–1 Milwaukee, July 3-6. Direct heat related; male 42, permanent home.[181]
–1 Milwaukee, July 3-6. Direct heat related; female, 49, permanent home.[182]
–1 Richland County, Lone Rock, by July 6.[183]
–1 Rock County, Lima, July 5. Heat-related; female (Margaret Jurgans), 83.[184]
–2 Rock County, mid June-July 4. Heat as exacerbating factors of death.[185]
–1 Walworth County. By July 6.[186]
General Narrative Information
CDC: “On June 29, 2012, a rapidly moving line of intense thunderstorms with high winds swept across the midwestern and eastern United States, causing widespread damage and power outages. Afterward, the area experienced extreme heat, with maximum temperatures exceeding 100°F (37.8°C). This report describes 32 heat-related deaths in Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia that occurred during the 2 weeks following the storms and power outages. Median age of the decedents was 65 years, and most of the excessive heat exposures occurred within homes. During 1999–2009, an annual average of 658 heat-related deaths occurred in the United States. Heat-related deaths are preventable, and heat response plans should be in place before an extreme heat event (EHE). Interventions should focus on identifying and limiting heat exposure among vulnerable populations.
“During June 30–July 13, 2012, an EHE occurred; maximum daily temperatures in Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia ranged from 83°F to 104°F (28.3°C to 40.0°C), averaging 9.5°F (5.3°C) warmer than normal. The EHE followed a series of powerful thunderstorms with wind gusts up to 80 miles (129 km) per hour that caused widespread damage across parts of the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic regions. The resultant power outages affected approximately 3.8 million persons and lasted 8 days in some areas. To describe the epidemiology of heat-related deaths that occurred during the EHE, information was collected from the state offices of the medical examiner or vital statistics. These offices analyzed death certificates and medical examiners’ records and recorded deaths in which exposure to excessive heat either caused or significantly contributed to a death. For comparison, a baseline number of heat-related deaths in these four states over the same 2-week summer period each year of 1999–2009 was calculated using mortality data from CDC (2).
“During June 30–July 13, 2012, a total of 32 deaths (0.11 deaths per 100,000 population) from excessive heat exposure were reported, including 12 in Maryland, 12 in Virginia, seven in Ohio, and one in West Virginia. In comparison, a median of four and average of eight (range: 1–29) heat-related deaths occurred in the four states during the same 2-week summer period each year of 1999–2009. The median age of the 32 decedents was 65 years (range: 28–89 years); 72% were male. Most decedents (75%) were unmarried or living alone. Common underlying or contributing conditions included cardiovascular disease (14) and chronic respiratory disease (four). In at least seven (22%) of the deaths, loss of power from the storms was known to be a contributing factor. Overall, 22 (69%) decedents died at home, with lack of air conditioning reported in 20 (91%) of these deaths. In the homes of five persons who died, a functioning air conditioner was present but not turned on. Of the seven deaths in which housing type was specified, six occurred in multifamily dwellings. Heat exposure occurred outdoors in three deaths, and two deaths occurred in a vehicle….
“Heat-related deaths are preventable, and advanced planning for EHEs is recommended to minimize mortality during these events (6,7). Identifying vulnerable populations (e.g., the elderly, very young persons, persons with chronic illnesses, or those with altered mental status) and targeting interventions to those most at risk are keys to prevention. Interventions during an EHE include staying cool, hydrated, and informed about extreme heat alerts in the area and symptoms of heat illness….
“The findings in this report are subject to at least four limitations. First, because only deaths in which excessive heat exposure was recorded on the death certificate were reported, the number of deaths in which heat was a contributing factor might be underestimated. Second, although the 14-day reporting period was chosen on the basis of surveillance data, maximum daily temperatures, and time to power restoration, some deaths caused by this event might have occurred after July 13. Third, because historical numbers were based on codes assigned by the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) and deaths reported in the 2012 EHE were based on death certificates, discrepancies might have occurred in how deaths were classified. Finally, because a few heat-related deaths occur each year in these four states, some of the deaths captured might have been part of the background rate and not a result of loss of power during the EHE. The number of deaths that might have occurred in these states regardless of the 2012 EHE could not be quantified because the historical numbers varied from year to year.
“The targeted interventions for vulnerable populations that were implemented by the affected states might have reduced the loss of life from this EHE. Interventions, including rapid distribution of public health messages (e.g., reverse 911 calls), visits to persons at high risk, and laws to provide additional resources, (e.g., back-up power supplies to vulnerable populations), might have contributed to lower numbers of heat-related deaths. Public health and emergency management personnel should work together to identify vulnerable populations in their area and design response plans to guide actions during an EHE.” (CDC. “Heat-Related Deaths After an Extreme Heat Event – Four States, 2012, and United States, 1999-2009.” MMWR, V. 62, No. 22, June 7, 2013, pp. 433-436.)
NWS: “In 2012, 155 people died as a result of extreme heat, down from 206 fatalities in 2011. This number is well above the 10-year average for heat related fatalities, 119. In 2012, the most dangerous place to be was in a permanent home, likely with little or no air conditioning, where a reported 84 (54%) of deaths occurred. Missouri numbered the most heat victims, 34, followed closely by Illinois with 32 heat related deaths. As in the past, extreme heat most strongly affected adults aged 50+, with 117 deaths (75%). Once again, many more males, 99 (64%), than females, 56 (36%), were killed by heat.” (NWS. NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013.)
Narrative Information
(On Heat)
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.[187] 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….”
Newspapers (2012):
June 29: “….Local media and state health officials reported multiple heat-related deaths. In North Carolina, a 2-year-old child in Burke County died after being left in a car.
“In Kansas, heat is suspected in the deaths of a 60-year-old man and a child. Three heat related deaths occurred in Virginia. And in Queens, N.Y., an 81-year-old man died from heat exposure.
“Oven-like temperatures topping 100 will blast much of the Mississippi Valley, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, setting daily and some all-time heat records through Sunday, says Meteorologist Brian Korte of the National Weather Service. Columbia, S.C., reached 109 Friday, beating an all-time record of 107 last reached in August 2007.” (USA Today (Oren Dorell). “Extreme heat wave is taking its toll across the nation.” 6-29-2012.)
July 7: “Kansas City, Mo. – An unrelenting and record-setting heat wave peaked this weekend, beating a broad swath of states into sweaty submission, with above-normal triple-digit temperatures stretching from St. Louis to Washington.
“The searing heat withered crops in the fields, buckled roadways and caused at least two train derailments. At least 36 weather-related deaths have been reported since the temperatures first shot up 10 days ago….
“More than 200 record highs were broken on Friday throughout the Midwest and along the East Coast. And more records fell on Saturday. In Washington, the high was 105, which was a record for the day and 1 degree shy of the hottest temperature ever recorded there. In St. Louis, the thermometer hit triple digits before 11 a.m., extending the city’s record streak of 100-degree days to 10 in a row.
“The St. Louis medical examiner confirmed three heat-related deaths and said it was investigating six more. In Chicago, the authorities said the heat had claimed at least six lives as of Friday night. In Virginia, officials reported 10 heat-related deaths, and 10 people died in Maryland, health officials said.
“Many of the deaths have been elderly people found in stuffy homes without air-conditioning….
“In the Midwest, some residents were drawing comparisons between the current heat wave and the severe heat and drought of the 1930s. More than 420 deaths were recorded during a 1936 heat wave in St. Louis, which also saw 153 heat-related fatalities during a 14-day period in 1980….
“Meteorologists said the recent hot streak, though not unprecedented, was unusual because of how early in the summer it struck and its duration.
“The prolonged heat has been the result of a high pressure system that has set up over the central and Eastern parts of the country, said Katie Garrett, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. The system has been so strong that it has kept storm systems from moving in and has prevented cold fronts that usually provide relief from sweeping through. At the same time, moisture and heat from the Gulf of Mexico have been blowing into the Upper Midwest, Ms. Garrett said….
“Transit officials in Washington imposed a 35-mile-an hour speed limit on all trains that travel above ground – 20 m.p.h. slower than they typically travel – after a train derailed on Friday afternoon because of a ‘heat kink,’ when a metal track expands because of the heat.” (New York Times. “Unrelenting Heat Wave Bakes All In Its Reach.” 7-7-2012.)
July 7: “….At least 24 deaths have been blamed on the heat and several others on the weather or a combination of the two. Hundreds of thousands remained without power Saturday, mostly in West Virginia, Ohio and Michigan….
“Nine people in Maryland have died of heat-related causes in recent days, the state said. Authorities in Chicago said heat was a factor in six deaths there, mostly among older people. Three deaths in Wisconsin, two in Tennessee and one in Pennsylvania were also reported to be heat-related.
“In Ohio, a man in his 70s and two women — one in her late 60s, the other in her 80s — were found dead this week, said Dr. Jeff Lee, a deputy county coroner in the central part of the state. He said all three were suffering from heart disease but died from stress caused by high temperatures in their houses. Temperatures inside were stifling, recorded in the 90s in two cases, with windows shut and no ventilation. The houses lacked electricity because of recent power outages. “If they had gotten cooling, we would have expected them to survive,” he said.” (WTKR, Norfolk, VA. “Heat wave causing deaths across the US.” 7-7-2012.)
July 8: “The heat that blanketed much of the U.S. began to ease up from unbearable to merely very hot Sunday as temperatures from the Midwest to the East Coast dropped from highs above 100 degrees down to the 90s.
“Cooler air swept southward in the eastern half of the country, bringing down some temperatures by 15 or more degrees from Saturday’s highs, which topped 100 in cities including Philadelphia, Washington, St. Louis, Indianapolis and Louisville, Ky.
“For many areas, the cooler temperatures were ushered in by thunderstorms that knocked out power to thousands. In New Jersey, a line of strong, fast-moving storms knocked out power to nearly 70,000 on Saturday night.
“The heat was blamed for at least 74 deaths across the country in the past two weeks, according to NBC News. A 4-month-old girl died and a 16-month-old girl was hospitalized in suburban Indianapolis after they were found Saturday trapped in separate cars during 105-degree heat.
“In Marion County, Ind., a 92-year-old man was found dead inside his home that was closed up and not ventilated and a 54-year old man was found dead outside near his residence in extreme heat on Saturday….
“The heat wave has been near-unprecedented for several major cities, according to NBC News. In Chicago, the temperature reached 100 degrees for three consecutive days from Wednesday through Friday, which ties the records of July 3-5, 1911, and Aug. 4-6, 1947. St. Louis’ streak of 10 consecutive days of 100 or higher (June 28 through July 7) has only been topped by the Dust Bowl year of 1936 when the streak was 13 days. In Minneapolis, the mercury hit triple-digits on Wednesday and Friday at the Twin Cities International Airport; the last year there were at least two 100-degree high temperatures in the Twin Cities was 1988, when there were four. And Washington hit 100 on Sunday for the fourth consecutive day, tying a record set July 19-22, 1930.
“The heat caused highways to buckle in Illinois and Wisconsin, officials said. In Maryland, investigators said heat likely caused rails to kink and led a commuter train to partially derail Friday. No one was injured.
“Forecasters warned that a new round of record highs could soon bake Western states. “It’s going to start as soon as tomorrow – really everybody in the Rockies is going to see this heat,’’ said Alan Reppert, senior meteorologist for Accuweather.com. He said a high-pressure system developing over the Rockies will cause temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Salt Lake City by Wednesday….
“Even the beach offered no respite. Atlantic City, N.J., home of the famed boardwalk, set a temperature record Saturday of 100 degrees….” (MSNBC. “US heat wave eases, but death toll rises.” 7-8-2012, 8:36 pm update.)
July 8: “At least 30 deaths were blamed on the heat, including nine in Maryland and 10 in Chicago, mostly among the elderly. Three elderly people found dead in their houses in Ohio had heart disease, but died of high temperatures in homes lacking power because of recent outages, officials said. Heat was also cited as a factor in three deaths in Wisconsin, two in Tennessee and three in Pennsylvania.
“Officials said the heat caused highways to buckle in Illinois and Wisconsin. In Maryland, investigators said heat likely caused rails to kink and led a green line Metro train to partially derail in Prince George’s County on Friday afternoon. No one was injured, and 55 passengers were safely evacuated.” (Todt (AP) and Zongker. “Heat wave blamed for 30 deaths.” 7-8-2012.)
July 8: “Washington, July 8 (UPI) – Ten days into a record-shattering U.S. heat wave, the associated death toll rose to at least 52 Sunday, a compilation of state records showed.
“The Cook County medical examiner’s office Sunday added eight more people to its list of confirmed heat-related deaths, bringing the total in the county, which includes Chicago, to 18, the Chicago Tribune reported. The total included 100-year-old Lucille Griffith, who died of heart disease and heat stress. The Tribune said she was found in her home with a body temperature of more than 107 degrees.
“Maryland and Virginia each reported 10 deaths so far, and in St. Louis, in the center of the sweltering, three people had died, The New York Times reported. WMC-TV, Memphis, reported three people also had died in Shelby County in Tennessee, and the Lancaster Eagle Gazette reported three had died in Licking County in Ohio.
“The Indianapolis Star reported at least five people had died in Indiana, including 4-month-old girl left in a car during 105-degree heat, a 92-year-old man was found inside his Marion County home and a 54-year old man was found outside near his residence in extreme heat.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported there had been more than 3,500 U.S. high temperature records broken from June 30 through July 6, Accuweather.com said.” (UPI.com. “Record U.S. heat wave deaths up to 52.” 7-8-2012, 11:47 pm.)
“NBC National News — While temperatures may finally be falling in many areas of the country, the problems created by a devastating heat wave the last couple of weeks are still on the rise. The extreme conditions are being blamed for at least 87 deaths across 14 states.
“Scientists have confirmed what many of us have already felt: The first six months of this year have been the hottest ever on record….” (NBC, Jay Gray. “Heatwave blamed for at least 87 deaths across 13 states.” 7-9-2012, 6:34 pm.)
Arizona
“The summer heat wave in Arizona is taking a deadly toll in the Valley. In just two weeks, six people in Maricopa County died from the heat. According to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, the deaths occurred between June 24th and July 9th.
“Four people died from “heat causes” meaning the heat was directly involved in their death. The county classified the two other deaths as “heat related” meaning the heat contributed to their death but other conditions may have also been a factor.
“ABC15 learned 20 other deaths are currently under investigation that could also be related to the heat but officials are waiting for autopsy results.
“Last year, there were 107 heat associated deaths. 57 were heat caused. The other 50 were heat related….
“For at least the past two years, records show July has been the deadliest month for heat related deaths.” (ABC15.com (Corey Rangel). “Maricopa County sees spike in heat deaths.” 7-10-2012.)
Illinois
July 6: Collinsville. “Timothy P. Murray. Murray, 56, of the 400 block of O’Farrell Street, was found dead in his home by a concerned neighbor, police said. Authorities believe he died on July 6. He was not running his air conditioning.” (Bernhard, Blythe. “Stubbornness can be lethal in St. Louis heat wave.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7-23-2012.)
July 8: “July 8, 2012 (Chicago) – Authorities say the number of heat-related deaths in the Chicago area has risen to 18, despite the cooler temperatures. The Chicago Tribune reports the Cook County medical examiner’s office determined Sunday that eight more people died from heat-related causes, adding to the 10 deaths previously confirmed Saturday. Chicago saw three consecutive days of triple-digit temperatures in the past week.
“The newspaper reports that heat wave that affected two-thirds of the nation has tied or broken nearly 3,400 maximum and minimum temperature records.
“Among those included in the area’s heat-related deaths are a 100-year-old woman, 65-year-old woman, a 53-year-old man, a 46-year-old woman and an unidentified man believed to be about 30 years old.” (Assoc. Press. “Number of heat-related deaths in Chicago up to 18.” 7-8-2012.)
July 8, Troy: “Dorothy D. Scott. Scott, 88, of the 200 block of East Clay Street in Troy, Ill., was found by family members on July 8 after she left a message on a family member’s answering machine complaining about feeling ill. An air conditioner in the house had been switched to ‘heat,’ effectively turning it off.” (Bernhard, Blythe. “Stubbornness can be lethal in St. Louis heat wave.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7-23-2012.)
July 9, 2012, Huffington Post, Chicago: “As the Chicago area revels in relief following its historic string of humid, 100-degree days last week [July 1-7], the Cook County medical examiner’s office Monday [July 9] confirmed the heat wave’s death toll at 18 countywide. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, eight Chicago residents died of heat-related causes over the weekend on top of at least 10 previous heat-related deaths in Cook County this summer. The victims are mostly elderly, ranging in age from 48 to 100, the Chicago Tribune reports, and the deaths have already surpassed the total number of heat-related deaths in Cook County last year.
“In response to the deaths, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has asked the city’s Office of Emergency Management to analyze how the city responded to the heat wave and consider ways it could improve its use of resources in future heat waves, NBC Chicago reports. The office’s report is due in 60 days. In the summer of 1995, a heat wave contributed to the deaths of more than 700 residents, a tragedy that was among the deadliest weather-related disasters in Illinois history.
“The Chicago area saw three consecutive days of triple-digit heat last week as the high temperature in the city reached 102 degrees Wednesday and 103 degrees Thursday and Friday, falling just two degrees shy of the city’s highest recorded temperature in history; 105 degrees, set on July 24, 1934. The area saw some relief Saturday afternoon as a cold front moved across the area.” (Huffington Post. “Chicago Heat Wave Deaths: Cook County Heat-Related Deaths Up To 18.” 7-9-2012.)
July 10: “Dorothy Hawkins, 79, was found decomposed Monday in her home in the 7400 block of South Yates Boulevard, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office. A Tuesday autopsy determined she died from heart disease with heat stress as a contributing factor. Her death was ruled an accident.
“Hawkins is the 19th heat-related death this season in Cook County, and all have occurred within the last seven days. There were 16 heat-related deaths in Cook County in 2011.
“Autopsies have also confirmed the following deaths as heat-related:
“Lucille Griffith, 100, of the 7300 block of South Peoria Street, was pronounced dead at Saint Bernard Hospital and Heath Center at 9:56 a.m. Saturday. An autopsy found she died of heart disease with heat stress as a contributing factor.
“Irene Moriarty, 89, of the 7600 block of South 60th Place in Summit, was pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn at 1:02 p.m. Saturday. An autopsy found Moriarty died of heart disease with heat stress as a contributing factor.” (Chicago Sun-Times. “Woman is 19th to die from heat this month: autopsy.” 7-10-2012.)
July 11: “Autopsies conducted Wednesday determined three more people have died in part from the recent heat, raising the total to 22 heat-related deaths in Cook County in a week.
“Ruben Martinez, in his 70s, of the 4500 block of North Clark Street, was found decomposed in his home at 12:55 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.
“John McGill, 57, of the 4800 block of West Irving Park Road was pronounced dead at 1:02 p.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center.
“And Dorothy J. Short, 68, of the 8800 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue, was pronounced dead at 1:50 a.m. Wednesday at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County.
“Wednesday autopsies determined all three died from heart conditions, with heat stress as a contributing factor, the medical examiner’s office said. The deaths were ruled accidents.
“Autopsies have also confirmed the following [19] deaths as heat-related:
— Dorothy Hawkins, 79, of the 7400 block of South Yates Boulevard;
— Lucille Griffith, 100, of the 7300 block of South Peoria Street;
— Irene Moriarty, 89, of the 7600 block of South 60th Place in Summit;
— Mary Williams, 56, of the 0-100 block of East 122nd Place;
— Sherry Garrett, 53, of the 1400 block of South Hamlin Avenue;
— Ann Narcisse, 79, of the 9200 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue;
— John Stacey, 81, of the 1800 block of Cuyler Avenue in Berwyn;
— Levon Calhoun, 55, of the 8100 block of South Saginaw Avenue;
— Anthony Thomas, 48, of the 9200 block of South Blackstone Avenue;
— Pamela Dairyco, 65, of the 4900 block of West Fullerton Avenue;
— Mark Locerquist, 53, of the 1500 block of North Pulaski Road;
— an unidentified man, believed to be in his 30s, found at 2 S. Cicero Ave.;
— Linda Figgures, 46, of the 6600 block of South Damen Avenue;
— Carmen Mercado, 81, of the 2000 block of West Superior Street;
— Riley Kimble, 59, of the 1800 block of West Jackson Boulevard;
— Pat Wong, 91, of 4200 block of North Winchester Avenue;
— Frank Proczek, 58, of 5000 block of South Western Avenue;
— Eugene Burns, 53, of Maywood; and
— Jon McCullough, 48, of Ravenswood.”
(Chicago Sun Times. “Three more heat-related deaths bring total to 22.” 7-11-2012.)
July 13: “An autopsy conducted Thursday confirmed a 23rd heat-related deaths in Cook County in the last week, but only the second time in which heat was the primary cause of death. Jerry Herrington, 73, of the 6600 block of South Loomis Avenue, was found unresponsive at his home July 6. He was pronounced dead at Holy Cross Hospital at 6:14 a.m. Tuesday, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. An autopsy Thursday found he died of heat stroke. The only other person to suffer heat stroke, 40-year-old Danny Wadell, died July 6, the medical examiner’s office said.” (WittetkaTalk (Sun-Times Media Wire), Chicago, IL. “Heat wave blamed for 23 deaths.” 7-13-2012.)
July 19: “Authorities in East St. Louis say Illinois’ recent heat wave is to blame in the death of a 62-year-old homeless man whose body was found [July 17] in a vacant building. East St. Louis Police Chief Michael Floore says a man looking for aluminum cans inside the building discovered Otha Bowman’s badly decomposed body Tuesday. Floore says Boman’s family members identified him through some of his personal effects. St. Clair County Coroner Rick Stone attributed Bowman’s death to the heat.
“Bowman’s is at least the third death blamed on the heat in southwestern Illinois. An 88-year-old Troy woman was found dead July 8 after she accidentally switched her thermostat to “heat,” and a 56-year-old Collinsville man died July 6 after choosing not to run his air conditioner.” (Quad-City Times. “Heat blamed in death of East St. Louis man.” 7-19-2012.)
Indiana
NCDC: “The historic heat wave that began in late June continued into July. This heat was comparable to the intense heat experienced in the 1930’s. The high temperature exceeded 100 degrees on 10 out of 11 days going back to June 28 and ending on July 8. At Evansville, the high of 107 degrees on the 5th was one degree shy of the all-time highest temperature in 115 years of records at Evansville. The all-time record of 108 degrees was set on July 13, 1936. Daily high temperature records were broken on five of the first six days of the month. New daily records were 105 degrees on the 1st, 103 on the 2nd, 103 on the 4th, 107 on the 5th, and 104 on the 6th. From the 1st to the 6th, humidity levels were not especially high due to the ongoing drought, so heat index values were close to the actual temperature. Higher humidity on the 7th and 8th raised peak heat index values to between 109 and 115 degrees. There were three fatalities due to the heat. An elderly couple died of heat exhaustion inside their mobile home in Evansville. The air conditioner outside the home was not working. The temperature was measured at 108 degrees inside the home when they were found. A pet bird also died. The third fatality occurred outdoors. A 51-year-old man was found dead along railroad tracks. Strong high pressure aloft remained anchored over the middle part of the country through the first week of July.” (NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Excessive Heat, Indiana, Vanderburgh County, July 1-8-2012.)
Kansas
“Topeka, Kan. — Air quality advisories remained in effect Tuesday for Kansas metropolitan areas as a heat wave that’s claimed five lives this season continues to grip the region. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said a combination of extreme heat, low wind and clear skies is raising ozone levels in urban areas. The advisories cover Kansas City, Topeka and Wichita and were first issued over the weekend. Elevated ozone levels are of particular concern for children, the elderly and people with chronic lung illnesses.
“KDHE spokeswoman Miranda Steele said Tuesday two more heat-related deaths were reported to the Office of Vital Statistics, bringing the total to five. She said there were more than 300 cases of heat-related illnesses reported by hospitals. Steele said the reporting of heat-related illnesses is voluntary and cautioned the actual number was likely higher. Tom Langer, KDHE’s director of the division of environmental health, said as the heat continues, people are likely to feel oppressed and lethargic.” “A person that believes they are going to be affected by the heat likely will be,” Langer said. “Individuals that think the weather will not affect them are likely to blame other elements if they suffer ill effects after exertion in the heat.” He said athletes must listen to their bodies while working out in the heat. They are likely to lose focus and become susceptible not only to heat-related illness but other injuries. Langer said athletes should practice in the early morning or late in the evening, but take frequent breaks and cool down often if they do practice in the middle of the day.
“The National Weather Service continued to issue excessive heat warnings and heat advisories for Kansas as temperatures were forecast to remain above 100 degrees. The only respite was a 20 to 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms starting Wednesday in northwest Kansas and extending to southeastern Kansas on Thursday….
“Meanwhile, Gov. Sam Brownback toured northwestern Kansas to view the damage from prolonged heat and drought. Brownback visited central and southeastern Kansas last week. The U.S. Drought Monitor showed 64 percent of Kansas experiencing extreme drought as of last week. “You can really see the effects of the drought here in northwest Kansas. Despite the brutal heat and dry conditions, I have been impressed at the level of cooperation among communities,” Brownback said. The governor said changes made to Kansas water policy during the 2012 legislative session, including allowing greater flexibility in managing water usage, were paying off and helping farmers, ranchers and communities. Brownback is seeking expansion of a federal disaster declaration that would cover 103 of 105 Kansas’ counties. The declaration allows farmers and ranchers to be eligible for federal programs to cope with the loss of agriculture production related to the drought.” (AP. “Kansas continues to bake…death toll…5.” 7-25-2012.)
Kentucky
NCDC: “An extended period of excessive heat, which began on June 28th, continued through July 7th. During the period, the official high temperature at Standiford Field in Louisville exceeded 100 degrees 9 times within a 10 day period. Official record high maximum temperatures were set at Louisville and Lexington for 7 out of 8 days ending July 7th. At Bowling Green, temperatures also exceeded the century mark 9 times within a 10 day period. This hot weather lead to several heat related deaths across the Commonwealth, including one in Louisville.” (NCDC. Storm Events Database. Heat, Kentucky, Jefferson County, July 6, 2012.)
Maryland
CDC: “…In 2011, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene developed a heat emergency plan that outlines actions to be taken before the beginning of the extreme heat season and provides guidance during an EHE. Under this plan, educational messages regarding heat exposure risks are issued beginning in June. Although the combination of widespread power outages and high temperatures was unexpected, public awareness in Maryland of the risks associated with excessive heat exposure likely was heightened as a result of educational messages.” (CDC. “Heat-Related Deaths After an Extreme Heat Event – Four States, 2012, and United States, 1999-2009.” MMWR, V. 62, No. 22, June 7, 2013, pp. 433-436.)
“Baltimore (WJZ)– The Maryland health department is reporting that the death toll in this heat wave now stands at 13. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said that between July 2 and July 8, six people died in Baltimore City, two in Baltimore County, two each in Montgomery and Wicomico counties and one in Harford County. Most of the deaths were men over the age of 65.
“Maryland experienced 12 consecutive days when temperatures exceeded 90 degrees and the highs surged over 100 degrees on three days during that stretch.” (CBS Baltimore. “Number of Deaths During Heat Wave Rises To 13.” 7-8-2012, 9:43 pm.)
July 9: “State health officials confirmed five more heat-related deaths Monday as a cool-down ended one of the longest heat waves on record for the region.
“The heat killed a total of 18 people during a 12-day stretch of 90- and 100-degree heat, state health officials reported Monday. The latest casualties include an elderly Baltimore County woman, an adult Baltimore man, two Prince George’s County men and a St. Mary’s County man. Three other people died during the derecho storm, characterized by powerful winds, on June 29.
“Many of the heat victims had underlying chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, and many also may have lacked air-conditioning because of extended power outages, a state health official said. The health department is delving into how much of a role power outages may have played in the deaths, along with other factors that could be prevented in the future. No other information about the victims was available….
“During the recent heat wave, state and local health officials sent out frequent messages encouraging residents to check on elderly neighbors and relatives, said Dr. Clifford S. Mitchell, director of environmental health for the state health department. Such checks were particularly important given the widespread power outages, he said. “Clearly, with some things we’re going to go back and look and see whether we can do better next time,” Mitchell said. “One of the things we’ll want to do is look closely at where there were deaths, were there factors we can learn from those deaths to help us better target messages or interventions for people who might be at risk?”
“Heat-related illnesses include hyperthermia, dehydration, heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Chronic illnesses like heart and lung disease, diabetes, and any illness that may cause dehydration or prevent fluid intake can exacerbate heat-related illnesses, Mitchell said. When heat is suspected to have played a role in a death, the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner studies the bodies to determine whether it was a factor.
“Health officials have not determined how the death toll compares to previous heat waves, and Mitchell said it can be hard to do so. The death toll for this month is nearing that of July 2011, the hottest month of July on record in the region, when 23 people died of heat-related illnesses. But spans with a high average temperature, as was the case in July 2011, may not impact health the same way as extreme high daytime temperatures or lack of overnight cooling, Mitchell said.
“The 12-day stretch of heat with highs over 90 degrees that ended Sunday was eighth-longest on record in Baltimore, according to the National Weather Service. It ended with three record-setting or tying temperatures — a 104-degree high Saturday and an 82-degree low and 100-degree high Sunday, as measured at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
“The weather service’s Sterling, Va., office, which covers the Baltimore area, initially reported the Saturday high as 103 degrees at BWI but later corrected it to 104 degrees. That’s because the
office issues a preliminary daily climate report around 5:30 p.m. each day based on weather data through about 4 p.m. that day, said Steve Zubrick, science operations officer at Sterling.
“BWI recorded a high of 103 degrees at about 3:58 p.m., but later hit the 104-degree mark at 4:16 p.m. Weather service meteorologists can’t easily reprogram when their instruments report the high temperature, and the official report for the day doesn’t come out until after 1 a.m., when the 104-degree high was made official, Zubrick said.
“Monday’s high temperature at BWI was 86 degrees; downtown, the Maryland Science Center reached 92 degrees. Highs across the region are expected to remain below 90 degrees through Saturday, though chances for thunderstorms persist throughout the week.” (Baltimore Sun. “Five added to death toll before heat faded.” 7-9-2012.)
“Virginia and Maryland health officials said heat-related fatalities have risen to 12 and 18 respectively since the heat wave that began June 20.
“In Virginia, six of the deaths were in the state’s northern district, five in the central region, and one in the western district. All 12 fatalities were adults over 35 or those older than 65.
“In Maryland, two of the statewide deaths were confirmed in Montgomery County, one in Prince George’s County, and the remaining in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Harford County, St. Mary’s County, and Wicomico County.
“The District has confirmed one heat-related death.” (Washington Post (Lena Sun). “Heat-related deaths climb to 31 in D.C., Md., Va.” 7-10-2012.)
Missouri
NCDC: “A record setting heat wave continued from late June into July, finally breaking on July 9. Columbia, MO was over 100 degrees from June 27 – July 7. St. Louis, MO was over 100 degrees from June 28 – July 7. St. Louis had a high of at least 105 degrees from July 4 – 7, peaking at 107 on the 7th. The heat wave was not typical for the area since the air was very dry. The relative humidity would usually fall to around 20% by late mid-afternoon. There were 17 heat related deaths confirmed in the Missouri Counties. St. Louis County Health Department reported 88 heat related injuries treated at area hospitals. The City of St. Louis reported 84 heat related cases at City hospitals.
“The City of St. Louis reported 14 heat related deaths. In all cases, air conditioners were not working or not turned on. The City 84 heat related cases treated at City hospital emergency rooms.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Excessive Heat, Missouri, St. Louis City, July 1-8-2012.)
June 24: “Ronald Pendleton. Pendleton, 64, was found June 24 in his two-story brick duplex in the 4200 block of Chouteau Avenue. He had air-conditioning but didn’t have it turned on. Pendleton’s medical history delayed confirmation of death by heat for several weeks.” (Bernhard, Blythe. “Stubbornness can be lethal in St. Louis heat wave.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7-23-2012.)
June 28: “Kansas City’s current heat wave is suspected as the cause of two deaths, one of them
a 1-year-old boy. The Kansas City Health Department announced Thursday that the county medical examiner was investigating the deaths of the child and a 60-year-old man as the first suspected.
“The metro area, along with eastern Kansas and all of Missouri, remains under an excessive heat warning expected to continue into next week. Thursday’s high was 105 degrees downtown and 104 at Kansas City International Airport. The heat index reached as high as 108, according to the National Weather Service.” (Cummings, Ian. “Heat wave suspected in two deaths.” Kansas City Star, MO, 6-28-2012.)
June 30: “Willie Hall. Hall, 80, of the 2000 block of East College Avenue in St. Louis, was found in his second-story bedroom the afternoon of June 30. His window air-conditioner was not in use.
“Judith Reed. Reed, 74, of the 400 block of North Fourth Street in St. Louis, was found in her bedroom at 10:27 a.m. on June 30. The central-air system in her apartment was in working condition but not in use.” (Blythe Bernhard. “Stubbornness can be lethal in St. Louis heat wave.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7-23-2012.)
July 1: “Orena Brown. Brown, 83, of the 5900 block of Mimika Avenue in St. Louis, was found at 8 a.m. July 1 in her living room. Her residence has a window air-conditioner that was “not cooling well,” according to the medical examiner.” (Blythe Bernhard. “Stubbornness can be lethal in St. Louis heat wave.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7-23-2012.)
July 5: Jeanette M. Basch. Basch, 76, of the 4400 Wabash Avenue in St. Louis, was found on the evening of July 5. She lived alone. Authorities did not say whether she had air conditioning available or in use.”
“Hedwig I. Hanus. Hanus, 84, of the 3800 block of Marine Avenue in St. Louis, was found the night of July 5 in the kitchen of her home. She had an air conditioner but it was unplugged and didn’t work correctly when plugged in.” (Bernhard, Blythe. “Stubbornness can be lethal in St. Louis heat wave.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7-23-2012.)
July 6: “Linda Allen. Allen, 62, of the 4500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue in St. Louis, was found stricken on July 4 and died July 6. She did not have an air conditioner.”
“Enones Berry: Berry, 72, was found July 6 in a second-floor bedroom of a two-story home in the 4000 block of North 21st Street. A working air-conditioner was on the first floor, but a surge protector had tripped and turned off the unit….
“Altamesa Dobson. Altamesa, 8, of the 3500 block of Franklin Avenue in St. Louis, was found dead on the morning of July 6. She was found in a room without air conditioning but there were units elsewhere in the apartment, authorities said….
“Velma Henderson. Henderson, 72, of the 7100 block of Winchester Avenue in Northwoods was found dead on July 6 inside her home. The home had central air conditioning, but it was not working, and a window unit was blowing warm air….
“Jeannie M. Marshall. Marshall, 75, of the 3300 block of Arlington Avenue in St. Louis, was found the morning of July 6. There was one window unit inside the home she shared with family.
“Merland Sampler. Sampler, 93, of the 8100 block of Canton Avenue in University City, was found dead on July 6 in her home, where she lived alone. Authorities said she had a working air-conditioner that was set at 95 degrees.” (Bernhard, Blythe. “Stubbornness can be lethal in St. Louis heat wave.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7-23-2012.)
July 7: “Troy Cooper. Cooper, 70, was found July 7 in a second-floor bedroom of a four-family flat in the 4500 block of Harris Avenue. There was a broken air-conditioner on the floor of his room. Relatives said they urged him to stay in other rooms that had air-conditioning, but he often didn’t cooperate….
“Henry Lee Lomax. Lomax, 72, of the 4300 block of Evans Avenue in St. Louis, was found dead just after noon July 7. He lived alone and had air conditioning units but chose not to use them.
“Timothy Simmonson. Simmonson, 43, a homeless man, was found July 7 in the 400 block of South 15th Street, near the downtown train-and-bus station.” (Bernhard, Blythe. “Stubbornness can be lethal in St. Louis heat wave.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7-23-2012.)
July 8: “Marvin C. Flanigan. Flanigan, 72, of the 3100 block of Nebraska Avenue in St. Louis, was found dead the morning of July 8. His room had no air conditioning and though his wife went to stay with relatives, he refused to leave.
“Earl L. Rinker. Rinker, 43, a homeless man, was found July 8 in an interior room of a vacant warehouse in the 4100 block of Bingham Avenue.” (Bernhard, Blythe. “Stubbornness can be lethal in St. Louis heat wave.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7-23-2012.)
July 9: “St. Louis. Eight more deaths due to heat-related illness were reported Monday in the metro area, raising to 12 the number of confirmed victims of the recent record-setting hot spell. The St. Louis medical examiner’s office on Monday [July 9] identified seven additional victims. The city previously had reported three heat-related deaths.
“Also on Monday, the St. Louis County medical examiner reported its first, a death in Northwoods. The Madison County coroner reported its first victim Sunday, and the St. Clair County coroner was reviewing one death that may have been caused by heat.
“All of the victims succumbed during a blistering 10-day period of daily high temperatures at 100 degrees or hotter running through Saturday, when the high was 107. Stirrings of cooler air brought scattered showers that night, although Sunday’s high reached 98 before a stronger cool front triggered more showers, some of them downpours, Sunday evening. The high Monday was 91, near normal for early July. The National Weather Service forecasts highs near 90 through the weekend.
“Medical authorities sometimes delay confirmation of heat-related deaths for several days pending investigation. On Sunday and Monday, they reported the following victims and circumstances:
- Marvin C. Flanigan, 72, found Sunday in his bedroom in a single-family brick home without air conditioning in the 3100 block of Nebraska Avenue in St. Louis. His wife had gone to stay with relatives, but Flanigan refused to leave.
- Dorothy D. Scott, 88, of the 200 block of East Clay Street in Troy, Ill., found by family members Sunday after she left a message on an answering machine complaining about feeling ill. An air conditioner had been switched to “heat,” effectively turning it off.
- Henry Lee Lomax, 72, found Saturday on the main floor of his single-family brick home in the 4300 block of Evans Avenue in St. Louis. His home had air conditioning units, but he didn’t use them. Lomax lived alone.
- Altamesa Dobson, 8, found unresponsive Friday in her family’s ninth-floor home at the Blumeyer Apartments at 3501 Franklin Avenue in St. Louis. She was pronounced dead a short time later at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Altamesa was in a room that did not have air conditioning, although other rooms in the apartment had working units.
- Jeanne M. Marshall, 75, found Friday in a one-story home she shared with relatives in the 3300 block of Arlington Avenue in St. Louis. The home had one window air conditioner.
- Velma Henderson, 72, found Friday inside her home in the 7100 block of Winchester Avenue in Northwoods. The home had central air conditioning that was not working. A window unit was on but was blowing warm air.
- Jeanette M. Basch, 76, found Thursday in a single-family home in which she lived alone in the 4400 block of Wabash Avenue in St. Louis. No information was available on whether the home was air-conditioned.
- Hedwig I. Hanus, 84, found Thursday in a single-family home in which she lived alone in the 3800 block of Marine Avenue in St. Louis. The home had an air conditioner that wasn’t plugged in, and only blew hot air when investigators tested it.
- Linda Allen, 62, found Wednesday on the second floor of a duplex in the 4200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue in St. Louis. The dwelling did not have an air conditioner. Allen lived alone. She was pronounced dead Friday.
“The St. Clair County coroner’s office said it was reviewing the case of a man, 44, who was found unresponsive Friday in Fairview Heights and died the next day.
“St. Louis health director Pam Walker said many of the victims this summer “suffered from cognitive disability or mental illness.” Walker urged neighbors and relatives to check on people who may be mentally impaired, as they would with the elderly and people with chronic illnesses.
“Go to their homes and make sure the air conditioner is on and is working properly,” Walker said in a statement Monday. “It is important to be insistent. They must be in an air-conditioned room, even if they don’t want to be.”
“In Northwoods, Maurice Thomas, a neighbor of Velma Henderson’s, said he offered her a place to stay until her air conditioner could be repaired, but she declined. He said she was a widow whose husband had died about six years ago. “She said she was planning on getting with this guy to put the electronic board back on next week to troubleshoot her system,” said Thomas, who had lived next door to her for 40 years. “Next week never got here.”
“In Centreville, Mayor Mark Jackson said the city will get another police dog after Altof, its German shepherd, had to be euthanized Sunday because of heat-related illness. Jackson said Altof developed symptoms Friday after spending much of the day working with officers who search for people named in outstanding warrants. It was 106 degrees Friday. “It was a tragic situation,” Jackson said. “We loved the dog. The handler loved the dog. Nobody wanted to see this happen.” Jackson said the department also plans to buy a new car to replace the one that transported Altof, although he said officers told him the existing nine-year-old vehicle has a working air conditioner.
“The recent heat wave was the second-longest in St. Louis after a 13-day run in August 1936, the year of the area’s worst heat wave on the books. The recent hot spell set seven daily high-temperature records and tied one other….” (STLtoday.com (Tim O’Neil). “Heat wave death toll rise to 12 in St. Louis area.” 7-10-2012.)
July 10: “Ozell Garner. Garner, 71, was found July 10 on the second floor of a brick apartment building in the 2600 block of James “Cool Papa” Bell Avenue. His apartment had air-conditioning but he told neighbors it was uncomfortable.” (Bernhard, Blythe. “Stubbornness can be lethal in St. Louis heat wave.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7-23-2012.)
July 10: “St. Louis (KSDK) — The National Weather Service now says the last 12 months were the hottest ever recorded. And while the brutal heat wave here has snapped, the deadly consequences are just coming to light. We’ve learned of 7 new cases of heat related deaths that occurred across the city. Most of the victims were in their 70’s and 80’s. And a total of ten people have died over the ten day heat wave.
“One was 8 year old Altamesa Dobson. Born with a condition known as CMV, she needed a nurse seven days a week. She slept in the only room without air conditioning in her family’s apartment at 3105 Franklin off North Grand Boulevard because her family says it was the only room that could hold her hospital bed. Altamesa’s family kept her near the air conditioner during the day. But health officials say, along with her health problems, that wasn’t enough to protect her from the heat. “I love my granddaughter,” says Pamela Murray. “And I truly, truly miss her.
But I know she’s okay, and she’s not suffering anymore.” Murray said doctors told the family when Altamesa was born she would not live past 3 years old. They believe with another air conditioner she could have continued to beat the odds.
“The city’s Health Department isn’t counting on this being the last heat wave of the summer. Director Pam Walker says the department is working on a Severe Weather Program to try and educate people about having a severe heat plan, like they might for other severe weather situations.
“For perspective, Walker says St. Louis saw a similar stretch of triple digit temperatures in 1980 when 153 people died over 14 days. Still, says Walker, “We’re reviewing everything we’re doing and we want to get better because one death is too many. A heat death is preventable”.” (KSDK, St. Louis. “7 new cases bring total to 10 in the city of St. Louis.” 7-10-2012.)
July 12: “Robert Moncure. Moncure, 65, who was found July 12 in his bedroom in a brick home in the 5800 block of Terry Avenue. He had refused offers of assistance.” (Bernhard, Blythe. “Stubbornness can be lethal in St. Louis heat wave.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7-23-2012.)
July 12: “Four more deaths in the region were confirmed to be heat-related on Wednesday, bringing the region’s total up to 18. Last year’s final count was 19, but this summer isn’t over yet. In fact, the National Weather Service forecast for the next week shows the temperature rising on Monday and Tuesday, with projected highs of 98 degrees for both days.
“The four new victims confirmed by the St. Louis Health Department include two homeless men, whose deaths should serve as a reminder that there’s a sizable population of people who have very few options for escaping the elements. The latest victims include:
Enones Berry, 72, of the 4000 block of North 21st Street.
Troy Cooper, 70, of the 4500 block of Harris Avenue.
Earl L. Rinker, 43, a homeless man who was found in a vacant warehouse.
Timothy Simmonson, 43…homeless man…found in the 400 block of South 15th Street.”
(Friswold, Paul. “Death Toll from Heat Wave…at 18.” Riverfront Times, St. Louis. 7-12-2012.)
July 16: “Three more heat deaths have been confirmed in St. Louis, bringing the total from the summer heat wave to 17 in the city. The deaths announced Monday included three men, ages 64, 65 and 71. All 17 deaths in the city have occurred since June 28. Temperatures are expected to climb back above 100 degrees on St. Louis on Wednesday and Thursday, raising concerns about more heat-related deaths and illnesses.
“Also Monday, the city asked the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create a national heat death reporting system. City officials say the lack of a national reporting system prevents jurisdictions from learning from each other.” (Associated Press. “3 more heat deaths confirmed in St. Louis.” Stltoday.com, 7-16-2012.)
July 17: “Franklin C. Trumperter. Trumperter, 89, was found July 17 in his one-story brick home in the 400 block of Monticello Drive in Ballwin. The central air conditioner was off and apparently had not been working properly. Neighbors last saw Trumperter a few days earlier and called authorities to check on him when they hadn’t seen him for awhile.” (Bernhard, Blythe. “Stubbornness can be lethal in St. Louis heat wave.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7-23-2012.)
July 17: “The St. Louis Medical Examiner’s office confirmed that three more people died during our Fourth of July Heat Wave, bringing the body count for the summer of 2012 up to 21. These latest victims were found prior to this week, it’s just taken till now for the cause of death to be pinpointed.
“It was definitely the heat, which is right now in the middle of shouldering its way back into St. Louis. Projected highs hit or top 100 degrees through Thursday, with temperatures dropping to the high 90s by the weekend….
“The most recent victims of the heat are:
- Ozell Garner, 71, found on July 10. He had an air conditioner.
- Robert Moncure, 65. He had refused offers of assistance.
- Ronald Pendleton, 64, found…June 24…had an air conditioner, but hadn’t turned it on.”
(Friswold, Paul. “Three More Confirmed Deaths from Last Heat Wave, Death Toll Now 21.” Riverfront Times, St. Louis, 7-17-2012.)
July 23: “St. Louis. Marvin Flanigan wouldn’t leave his longtime south St. Louis home. Not when the air conditioner broke down and temperatures soared above 100 degrees in early July. And not to join his wife, Diane, who escaped the suffocating heat to stay with relatives. The retired Marine had survived much worse than another summer heat wave. Despite the pleas of family members, he stayed in his home.
“On July 8, he became the 18th person to die from heat-related illnesses in the St. Louis area this summer. “He was very set in his ways,” Diane Flanigan said as she gathered his belongings at their home Thursday, on what would have been her husband’s 73rd birthday. “He wasn’t going anywhere.”
“Since his death, an additional five people have died from heat-related illnesses, bringing to the total so far to 23. Most were 70 or older.
“Health experts say a combination of factors are at work: a stubborn clinging to habit, fear of high utility bills, isolated residents with little or no family and even mental health issues. The problem is especially dangerous in the city, where aging brick homes easily trap heat.
“”This is a generation where many of them grew up without air conditioning, and they have this attitude that it’s almost a badge of honor that I can handle the heat,” said Linda Rhodes, former secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and author of “The Essential Guide to Caring for Aging Parents.” People whose family members or neighbors refuse to turn on the air conditioning or get to a cool place should not give up, said Rhodes, who led a task force on heat deaths in Pennsylvania in the early 1990s. “Treat this how you’d respond if there was a tornado warning,” she said. “This can be just as deadly.”
“The 23 deaths so far this year are the most since 1995 — with the heat likely to last for several more weeks. Temperatures have reached 100 degrees on 13 days, and forecasts call for more triple-digit heat through Thursday.
“The prolonged heat wave is catching up to the most miserable summer on record — 1936 — when there were two long stretches of above 90-degree weather. In those days before air conditioning, 479 people died.
“The youngest and oldest residents are most vulnerable to heat illnesses, such as heatstroke or hyperthermia, because they can’t regulate their body temperatures as well.
“For older people, health issues like heart disease, dementia and prescription drug use can contribute to the problem. The typical Missourian who succumbs to heat is older and lives alone.
“Many of the people who died have also had dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or some other cognitive disability, said Pamela Rice Walker, director of the St. Louis Department of Health.
“Many older residents might not even consider themselves at risk, she said.
“”We have to stop talking about them in the third person and we have to start talking to them,” Walker said. “I’m struggling with how to get that message through. Maybe that will work, (to say) it’s not fair to your grandchildren for you to die because you won’t turn on your air conditioner.”
“The St. Louis chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association calls people in the area who are known to live alone. “Those individuals are at the greatest risk,” said Stephanie Rohlfs-Young, the local outreach director. “With Alzheimer’s or dementia comes not only memory loss but confusion and impaired judgment, which might make them unable to use the thermostat.” Rohlfs-Young encourages families to install a lock box system, available at hardware stores, over the thermostat of a relative with dementia.
“At least eight people who died this summer had working air conditioners that were not turned on. One woman had the thermostat set at 95 degrees. Another had the unit set to “heat.”
“Health officials also want to alleviate concerns about the cost of running air conditioners. By state law, electric customers cannot be disconnected for nonpayment if the forecast calls for 95 degrees or 105 on the heat index.
“And just calling to check up on older relatives and neighbors isn’t enough, experts say. Relatives and neighbors should stop by in person at different times of the day, try to get in the house, and shake hands or offer a hug to gauge body temperature.” (Blythe Bernhard, “Stubbornness can be lethal in St. Louis heat wave.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7-23-2012.)
July 24: “County medical examiner Dr. Mary Case has confirmed that a man found dead on July 7 died from the heat, marking the first such death for St. Charles County and the 24th heat-related death for the St. Louis region this year. Lawrence Detterman, 64, was found in his mobile home, which had had its air conditioner removed. Detterman reportedly refused an offer to stay with a relative during the Fourth of July heatwave.” (Friswold, Paul. “St. Charles Confirms First Heat Death of Summer; Death Toll for Region…24.” Riverfront Times, St. Louis. 7-24-2012.)
July 24: “St. Charles, Mo. — The blistering hot weather is now blamed for another death in the St. Louis area, this time in St. Charles County. County officials say the medical examiner on Tuesday confirmed that a 64-year-old man found in his mobile home on July 7 died as a result of the heat. The victim lived alone. His air conditioner had been removed because of the expense of using it, and authorities say he declined a relative’s offer to move to cooler accommodations during the hot weather.
“St. Charles County hospitals have reported 53 cases of heat-related illnesses since June.
“So far this summer there have been 26 confirmed heat deaths in Missouri — 20 in the St. Louis area, one in Kansas City and four elsewhere.” (Associated Press. “Death of St. Charles County resident blames on heat wave that has settled over Missouri.” 7-24-2012.)
Ohio
CDC: “….Several states developed interventions targeting the elderly during the 2012 EHE. In Ohio, the Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Health, and the Department of Aging collaborated to identify areas of high concentrations of power outages and high populations of older residents. Beginning July 1, approximately 200 National Guard personnel conducted home visits to the elderly to identify persons experiencing signs of heat exhaustion using wellness toolkits prepared by these three organizations. On July 2, Ohio launched a “Check on Your Neighbor” campaign to encourage residents to help identify and assist persons at risk. On July 3, the Ohio Board of Regents and Department of Aging enlisted the aid of university and college students as part of the “Knock and Talk” effort targeting the elderly…..” (CDC. “Heat-Related Deaths After an Extreme Heat Event – Four States, 2012, and United States, 1999-2009.” MMWR, V. 62, No. 22, June 7, 2013, pp. 433-436.)
July 6: “Columbus, Ohio — An Ohio coroner is blaming excessive heat for the deaths of three people found alone in their homes this week. Licking County Deputy Coroner Dr. Jeff Lee says all three were suffering from heart disease but died from stress caused by high temperatures in their houses.
“Lee said Friday that a man in his 70s was found Monday in Newark in central Ohio, and two women, one in her late 60s, the other in her 80s, were found Tuesday in rural parts of the county.
Lee says temperatures inside their homes were stifling, with windows closed and no ventilation. Lee says the homes were without power from the recent storm outages. He said the three likely would have survived if they’d been in cooler places.” (Associated Press (Andrew Welsh-Huggins). “Ohio coroner: 3 deaths attributed to heat wave.” 7-6-2012.)
Pennsylvania
NCDC: “Unseasonably hot weather that started on the 20th [June] and persisted into the 22nd across extreme southeastern Pennsylvania resulted in high temperatures in the mid to upper 90s and afternoon heat indices of around 100 degrees. The heat claimed the life of a 67-year-old woman within Philadelphia. On the 21st, in Montgomery County, an eastbound lane of U.S. Route 422 in the Valley Forge National Historical Park heaved and buckled. The lane was closed while it was repaired and this caused a significant traffic backup. Then later that afternoon, another buckling on the same roadway shut down a westbound lane near the Limerick (Montgomery County) exit. In Berks County and in the Lehigh Valley the hottest day was the 20th, while in Southeast Pennsylvania including Philadelphia, the hottest day was the 21st. Highest temperatures included 97 degrees at the Philadelphia International Airport, 96 degrees in Reading (Berks County) and Perkasie (Bucks County), 95 degrees at the Lehigh Valley International Airport and West Chester (Chester County) and 94 degrees in Pottstown (Montgomery County) and Doylestown (Bucks County). The hot spell ended when a cold front moved through Eastern Pennsylvania during the evening of the 22nd.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, June 20-22, 2012.)
NCDC: “Both excessive heat and more humidity returned to most of Eastern Pennsylvania starting on Independence Day and lasted until the 7th. The excessive heat claimed the lives of eight people, five within Philadelphia and three in Lehigh County. High temperatures on the 2nd and 3rd were between 90 and 95 degrees in most places, but humidity levels were relatively low. High temperatures on the 4th reached the mid 90s and combined with more humidity produced afternoon hourly heat indices of near 100F. High temperatures on the 5th and 6th were in the mid to upper 90s, with similar afternoon heat indices. The heat and humidity peaked on the 7th with high temperatures around 100F and afternoon hourly heat indices between 102F and 108F. A cold front slipped south through the area on the evening and overnight on the 7th. Coupled with more cloudiness, high temperatures were in the lower 90s on the 8th and below 90F in most places on the 9th.
“In Philadelphia, five people between the ages of 53 and 80 succumbed from the heat. In Allentown (Lehigh County), an 86-year-old man died of hyperthermia on the 7th. While there was an air conditioner, it was not operating. The temperature inside the house was more than 90 degrees when the body was discovered. In Weisenberg Township, a 90-year-old husband and wife both died from the heat. The air-conditioner also was not operating and the temperature within the house was over 100 degrees.
“To combat the heat, many counties, cities and municipalities opened cooling centers. The hours of air-conditioned senior citizen centers were extended. In Philadelphia, the Corporation for Aging had councilors and nurses on the phone. In Philadelphia, an outdoor concert in Manayunk scheduled for the 7th was cancelled. The horse racing card at Parkx in Bensalem (Bucks County) was also cancelled on the 7th.
“Highest temperatures all occurred on the 7th and included 103F in Reading (Berks County), 101 degrees in Philadelphia (the third consecutive summer that the high temperature reached 100 degrees in Philadelphia), 100 degrees in Pottstown (Montgomery County) and Doylestown (Bucks County), 99 degrees at the Lehigh Valley International Airport and Quakertown (Bucks County) and 98 degrees in West Chester (Chester County).
“The string of 12 consecutive days of high temperatures reaching 90 degrees or higher in Philadelphia that ended on July 9th was tied for the 4th longest on record dating back to 1874. It was the longest stretch since the summer of 1999 which also had a string of 12 consecutive days. The string of 11 consecutive days of high temperatures reaching 90 degrees or higher in Reading (Berks County) that ended on July 8th was tied for the 3rd longest on record dating back to 1898. It matched a similar string last summer.” (National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 4-7, 2012.)
July 5: “As the hot spell’s persistence stokes health concerns, Philadelphia has reported the region’s fifth heat-related death since late May. A 70-year-old man with a history of heart disease was found dead Sunday in the second-floor bedroom of a Mount Airy home, said Health Department spokesman Jeff Moran. Fans were operating in the room and the windows were closed when the body was discovered.
“The toll may rise, for the second heat wave of the season is about to gain a second, potentially dangerous, wind. On the July Fourth holiday, the atmosphere will be holding a cookout of its own, with temperatures creeping back toward the mid-90s.” (Philly.com. “Philadelphia’s fifth heat-related death since May.” 7-5-2012.)
July 9: “Allentown (AP) — Officials say the scorching heat wave that pushed temperatures into triple digits claimed the lives of three more elderly people in Pennsylvania.
“The Lehigh County coroner’s office says 90-year-old Lillian Kuzmak was pronounced dead Monday morning [July 9] of hyperthermia due to excessive heat at her Weisenberg Township home. Officials said the air conditioning wasn’t turned on and it was about 100 degrees in the home.
“Earlier, the Lehigh County coroner’s office said 86-year-old Llan Gacel died Saturday [July 7] of hyperthermia after temperatures in his Allentown home topped 90 degrees.
“In Philadelphia, Health Department spokesman Jeff Moran says an 80-year-old woman found dead Sunday [July 8] died of heart disease and heat exposure.
“The National Weather Service says Philadelphia recorded a high of 90 on Monday, extending the long heat wave into a 12th day.” (Pocono Record, Stroudsburg, PA. “Update: Sixth heat-related death reported in Pa.” 7-9-2012.)
July 10: “Three more people have died as a result of the latest heat wave in Pennsylvania, officials said Tuesday.
“Lillian Kuzmak was found dead of hyperthermia inside her home in Weisenberg Twp., Lehigh Co., on Monday, the coroner said. It was more than 100 degrees inside Kuzmak’s home, said officials, who added that she had an air conditioner, but it wasn’t turned on. Kuzmak is the second Lehigh Valley resident and at least the eighth in Pennsylvania to die as a result of the extreme heat. An 86-year-old Allentown man died over the weekend.
“Two women in Montgomery County also died as a result of last week’s heat wave said the coroner, Dr. Walter Hofman, who identified them as a 57-year-old resident of Rockledge and a 71-year-old Lansdale resident. The Rockledge woman, Hofman said, was found dead July 2; the Lansdale woman was found July 3. Both deaths were the result of heart disease with heat stress a contributing cause.” (69 News, WFMZ-TV & Associated Press. “Heat-related death toll rises to at least 8 in Pa.” 8-10-2012.)
July 10: “Philadelphia (AP) — The National Weather Service says Philadelphia’s long heat wave has ended after 12 days – making it tied for the fourth-longest heat wave on record in the city. Forecasters recorded a high of 89 Tuesday, bringing an official end to the string of temperatures of 90 degrees or more.
“A suburban Philadelphia coroner, meanwhile, says heat was a factor in the deaths of 2 women last week. Montgomery County Coroner Walter Hofman says a 57-year-old resident of Rockledge was found dead July 2 and a 71-year-old Lansdale resident the following day. Both died of heart disease with heat stress a contributing cause. The Intelligencer of Doylestown… says neither home had air conditioning.
“Officials say the heat wave was a factor in the deaths of at least eight Pennsylvania residents.”
(ABC27, PA (AP). “Philly’s long heat wave comes to end after 12 days.” 7-10-2012.)
July 10: “Philadelphia — A suburban Philadelphia coroner is blaming more deaths on last week’s heat wave.
“Montgomery County Coroner Dr. Walter Hofman says two women died as a result of last week’s heat wave. He identified them as a 57-year-old resident of Rockledge and a 71-year-old Lansdale resident. Hofman says the Rockledge woman was found dead July 2. The Lansdale woman was found July 3. Both deaths were the result of heart disease with heat stress a contributing cause. The Intelligencer of Doylestown reports neither woman’s home had air conditioning.
“At least eight Pennsylvania residents have suffered heat-related deaths, most of them in the Philadelphia area.” (Assoc. Press. “Death toll in Pennsylvania heat wave up to 8.” 7-10-2012.)
July 11: “Allentown, Pa. (AP) – July 11, 2012 (WPVI) — An eastern Pennsylvania coroner says the husband of a woman who died Monday of hyperthermia has also died of heat-related illness. Officials say 90-year-old Joseph Kuzmak had been in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest since he and his wife were found in their Weisenberg Township home Monday. Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim said Kuzmak died at 4:35 p.m. Wednesday at the hospital. Ninety-year-old Lillian Kuzmak had been pronounced dead at the house. Officials said the air conditioning wasn’t turned on and it was about 100 degrees in the home. Their son, James, told the paper that the couple had been married for 69 years. Officials have said that the heat wave was a factor in the deaths of at least nine Pennsylvania residents.” (WPVI-TV, Philadelphia. “Coroner: Pa. deaths of husband, wife heat-related.” 7-11-2012.)
July 11: “Lehigh County, Pa. (CBS) – The death of a 90-year-old man this week has brought Lehigh County’s heat-related deaths to three for the year, according to the county’s coroner’s office. On Wednesday, Joseph Kuzmak, of Weisenberg Township, died of hyperthermia due to excessive heat, according to officials. His home had an air conditioner, but it had not been turned on. The air temperature in the home was about 100 degrees. He was pronounced dead at Lehigh Valley Hospital at 4:35 p.m.” (CBS Philly. “3rd Heat-Related Death Reported In Lehigh County.” 7-11-2012.)
West Virginia
CDC: “….Several states developed interventions targeting the elderly during the 2012 EHE [extreme heat event]…. The National Guard in West Virginia…participated in home visits to the elderly and other socially isolated persons, with approximately 100 health and wellness teams going door-to-door in communities throughout the state.” (CDC. “Heat-Related Deaths After an Extreme Heat Event–Four States, 2012…[US], 1999-2009.” MMWR, 62/22, 6-7-2013, 433-436.)
Wisconsin:
July 6: “Milwaukee — The National Weather Service has extended heat warnings for parts of Wisconsin into Saturday — after days of excessive temperatures that reached into the 100s.
“The high heat has been blamed for three deaths in Wisconsin and is suspected in a fourth.
“Heat-related deaths were reported in La Crosse, Lone Rock and Janesville. The death of an Onalaska man is also being investigated as possibly related to the heat….
“The heat has also caused highways across the state to buckle.” (Associated Press. “Wisconsin: At least 3 deaths attributed to heat wave.” 7-6-2012.)
July 6: “The Barron County Medical Examiner reports two women have died from heat related causes. Both women were in their 70’s. These are just the latest deaths in a growing number attributed to the heat wave that’s hit Wisconsin. No other details about the Barron County deaths are known.” (WEAU.com. “Heat Wave 2012: Two more deaths associated…heat.” 7-6-2012.)
July 7: “The heat wave smothering much of the country took a fatal turn in the Coulee Region, killing a 68-year-old La Crosse, Wis., woman and contributing to the death of a 91-year-old Onalaska, Wis., man, according to the La Crosse County medical examiner’s office. Police found the La Crosse woman in her home in the 1700 block of Mississippi Street on Thursday night after worried family members asked them to check on her, said Tim Candahl, deputy medical examiner. The temperature inside the home was 103 degrees, and the woman’s body temperature was 110 degrees, said Candahl, who declined to release the woman’s name or other information pending completion of his report, perhaps by Monday.
“In the Onalaska case, the man died when he returned home after taking a walk on Wednesday. The heat contributed to his death, Candahl said.
“Meanwhile, in Richland County, heat also was blamed in the death of a 74-year-old man. James Kast of Lone Rock was found dead in his home, which Coroner Mary Turner said did not have air conditioning.
“A fourth person in Wisconsin, Margaret Jurgans, 83, of Lima died from an underlying heart condition exacerbated by the hot weather, the Rock County coroner’s office reported Friday. She had no air conditioning.
“Public health officials urged people to check on family members and neighbors without access to air conditioning.
“The weeklong weather pattern remained brutal Friday, saddling La Crosse and Winona with a temperature of 102 degrees (a “feel-like” temperature of 106 with the heat index factored in) at 5 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. It was a record high.” (Lee, Mike Tighe. “Heat wave turns deadly: Two area deaths blamed on weather.” Winona Daily News, WI, 7-7-2012.)
July 9: “Milwaukee (AP) — The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office released reports Monday which show five deaths last week could be heat related. The reports say the deaths of three Milwaukee men, ages 42, 55 and 56, may be attributed to the heat, although final autopsy results are pending. An 81-year-old Milwaukee woman found near her garage by a neighbor is also a suspected heat-related death, as is the death of a 67-year-old South Milwaukee man. All died on Friday following several days of temperatures hovering around 100.
“Heat-related deaths were also reported in La Crosse, Lone Rock and Janesville. The death of an Onalaska man is also being investigated as possibly related to the heat.” (Associated Press. “5 suspected heat-related deaths in Milwaukee Co.” 7-9-2012.)
July 16: “Madison, WI (WTAQ) – The Wisconsin Department of Health is confirming eight people died from the extreme temperatures in the heat wave which hit the state the first week of this month. There are another 11 deaths which could be heat-related. With more heat blanketing Wisconsin on Monday and Tuesday, officials are urging people to take precautions once again, and check on elderly and infirm relatives and neighbors. Four of the eight confirmed deaths were in southern Wisconsin, but two were actually recorded in Barron County, in the far northwest part of the state. Cooling centers have been set up all across Wisconsin.” (WTAQ, Green Bay. “8 heat related deaths in Wisconsin so far, toll likely to grow.” 7-16-2012.)
Sources
69 News, WFMZ-TV & Associated Press. “Heat-related death toll rises to at least 8 in Pa.” 8-10-2012. Accessed 7-12-2012 at: http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-lehighvalley/Heat-abc related-death-toll-rises-to-at-least-8-in-Pa/-/132502/15463790/-/70bk5m/-/index.html
ABC7 Eyewitness News Eric Horng), Chicago. “Medical Examiner: Two People Dead from Heat.” 7-4-2012. Accessed 7-7-2015 at: http://abc7chicago.com/archive/8726395/
ABC11 News (Eric Horng). “Medical Examiner: Two People Dead from Heat.” 7-5-2012. Accessed 7-7-2015 at: http://abc11.com/archive/8726395/
ABC15.com (Corey Rangel). “Maricopa County sees spike in heat deaths.” 7-10-2012. Accessed 7-11-2012: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/central_phoenix/maricopa-county-sees-spike-in-heat-deaths
ABC27, PA. “Philly’s long heat wave comes to end after 12 days.” 7-10-2012. Accessed 7-12-2012 at: http://www.abc27.com/story/18991570/2-more-pa-deaths-found-to-be-heat-related
Arizona Department of Health Services. “Heat-Caused & Heat-Related Deaths in Arizona by Year (2011-2021). Accessed 2-19-2024 at: https://www.azdhs.gov/documents/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/extreme-weather/pubs/heat-related-mortality-year.pdf
Arkansasmatters.com. “Three More Heat-Related Deaths in Arkansas.” 8-19-2011. Accessed at: http://arkansasmatters.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=454087
Associated Press. “3 more heat deaths confirmed in St. Louis.” Stltoday.com. 7-16-2012. Accessed 7-17-2012 at: http://www.stltoday.com/news/state-and-regional/missouri/more-heat-deaths-confirmed-in-st-louis/article_bbc1480a-e10d-5fd5-87c9-02c2217bd1d3.html
Associated Press. “5 suspected heat-related deaths in Milwaukee Co.” 7-9-2012. Accessed 7-12-2012: http://gazettextra.com/weblogs/latest-news/2012/jul/09/5-suspected-heat-related-deaths-milwaukee-co/
Associated Press. “Coroner: Pa. deaths of husband, wife heat-related.” 7-11-2012. Accessed 7-12-2012: http://www.abc27.com/story/19005468/coroner-pa-deaths-of-husband-wife-heat-related
Associated Press. “Death of St. Charles County resident blamed on heat wave that has settled over Missouri.” 7-24-2012. Accessed 7-25-2012 at: http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/f3cc49b4f76f4d098ce278238bf7a1b9/MO–Missouri-Heat-Deaths
Associated Press. “Death toll in Pennsylvania heat wave up to 8.” 7-10-2012. Accessed 7-12-2012: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/07/death_toll_in_pennsylvania_hea.html
Associated Press, Baltimore. “Fourth heat-related death reported.” Cumberland Times-News, MD. 7-4-2012, 3B. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/maryland/cumberland/cumberland-times-news/2012/07-04/page-17
Associated Press. “Kansas continues to bake as heat death toll hits 5.” 7-25-2012. Accessed 7-27-2012: http://www.eldoradotimes.com/newsnow/x814447812/Kansas-continues-to-bake-as-heat-death-toll-hits-5
Associated Press. “Lafayette baby dies after being left in hot car.” NOLA.com. 6-26-2012. Accessed 7-1-2015 at: http://www.nola.com/traffic/index.ssf/2012/06/lafayette_baby_dies_after_bein.html
Associated Press, Baltimore. “Maryland heat-related deaths climb to eight.” Cumberland Times-News, MD. 7-6-2012, B1. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/maryland/cumberland/cumberland-times-news/2012/07-06/page-19
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. Accessed 2-14-2024 at: https://apnews.com/article/counting-extreme-heat-deaths-7125ad9a5289625bd9ca312945996399
Associated Press. “Number of heat-related deaths in Chicago up to 18.” 7-8-2012. Accessed 7-8-2012 at: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8729197
Associated Press (Andrew Welsh-Huggins). “Ohio coroner: 3 deaths attributed to heat wave.” 7-6-2012. http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/251405/226/Ohio-coroner-3-deaths-attributed-to-heat-wave
Associated Press. “Police: 5-month-old baby found dead in van.” Timesfreepress.com, 8-7-2012. Accessed 6-28-2015 at: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2012/aug/07/police-5-month-old-baby-found-dead-van/84472/
Associated Press, Baltimore. “Three die in current heat wave.” Cumberland Times-News, MD. 7-3-2012, p. B1. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/maryland/cumberland/cumberland-times-news/2012/07-03/page-17?tag
Associated Press. “U.S. heat wave blamed for 60 deaths in 2 weeks.” 7-8-2012, 3:44 pm. Accessed 7-8-2012 at: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/07/08/heat-us-deaths.html
Associated Press. “Wisconsin: At least 3 deaths attributed to heat wave.” 7-6-2012. Accessed 7-12-2012: http://www.twincities.com/wisconsin/ci_21021720/la-crosse-womans-death-heat-related-officials-say
Baltimore Sun (Scott Dance). “15 Md. heat-related deaths tallied this summer, lowest since 2009.” 9-17-2013. Accessed 9-26-2015: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/weather/weather-blog/bal-wx-15-md-heatrelated-deaths-tallied-this-summer-lowest-since-2009-20130917-story.html
Baltimore Sun. “Five added to death toll before heat faded.” 7-9-2012. Accessed 7-9-2012 at: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-power-outages-20120709,0,74850.story
Baltimore Sun (Scott Dance). “Five added to death toll from heat.” 7-10-2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-07-10/news/bs-md-power-outages-20120709_1_heat-related-deaths-power-outages-heat-victims
Baltimore Sun (Scott Dance). “Four more died in heat, state health officials say.” 8-7-2012. Accessed 9-1-2015: http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-08-07/news/bs-md-heat-deaths-0808-20120807_1_heat-derecho-storm-fatalities
Beloit Daily News, WI. “Heat related death noted in Rock County.” 7-6-2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.beloitdailynews.com/heat-related-death-noted-in-rock-county/article_c4d49bd2-c789-11e1-9aea-001a4bcf887a.html
Berisha, Vjollca. Impact of Extreme Heat on Human Mortality and Morbidity: Surveillance Systems in Maricopa County (slides). Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Division of Disease Control, Office of Epidemiology, 7-29-2013, p. 13 of 42 pages. Accessed 9-2-2015 at: http://www.azdhs.gov/phs/oids/training/documents/2013/VjollaBersha.pdf
Bernhard, Blythe. “Stubbornness can be lethal in St. Louis heat wave.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7-23-2012. Accessed 7-24-2012 at: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/stubbornness-can-be-lethal-in-st-louis-heat-wave/article_404ef3ad-815f-5c90-9753-185fa87d2d27.html
Blanco, Juan Ignacio. Murderpedia. “Tasha Bates.” Accessed 7-1-2015 at: http://murderpedia.org/female.B/b/bates-tasha.htm
Boston Globe (Martine Powers and Travis Andersen). “Lowell neighbors praise parents of baby who died.” 8-26-2012. Accessed 6-29-2015 at: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/08/26/neighbors-say-parents-infant-found-dead-car-lowell-were-not-neglectful/LtFx7jJhgawWy771702kJJ/story.html
Caller Times (Steven Alford), Corpus Christi, TX. “Corpus Christi woman free on bail after arrest following child’s death in hot SUV.” 8-23-2012. Accessed 6-29-2015 at: http://www.caller.com/news/local-news/crime/mother-toddler-who-died-hot-suv-arrested-corpus-ch
CBC News, Canada. “At Least 35 dead in U.S. heat wave.” 7-8-2012. Accessed 7-8-2012 at: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/07/08/heat-us-deaths.html
CBS Baltimore. “Number of Deaths During Heat Wave Rises To 13.” 7-8-2012, 9:43 pm. Accessed 7-10-2012: http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/07/08/number-of-deaths-during-heat-wave-rises-to-13/
CBS Philly. “3rd Heat-Related Death Reported In Lehigh County.” 7-11-2012. Accessed 7-12-2012: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/07/11/3rd-heat-related-death-reported-in-lehigh-county/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Heat-Related Deaths After an Extreme Heat Event – Four States, 2012, and United States, 1999-2009.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), Vol. 62, No. 22, June 7, 2013, pp. 433-436. Accessed 7-6-2015 at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6222a1.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Heat-Related Deaths – United States, 1999-2003,” MMWR (Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report), Vol. 55, No. 29, 7-28-2006, pp. 796-798. Accessed 2-16-2024 at: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5529a2.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 1999-2020 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2021. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2020, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd-icd10.html on Feb 20, 2024 1:00:50 PM Census Region, T67 search.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 1999-2020 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2021. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2020, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd-icd10.html on Feb 20, 2024 1:05:31 PM Census Region, X30 search.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Underlying Cause of Death 1999-2014 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released 2015. ICD-10 X30 (exposure to excessive natural heat) code search. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2014, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html on Aug 17, 2016 4:05:30 PM State, X30 search
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 1999-2020 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2021. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2020, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd-icd10.html on Feb 20, 2024 1:09:00 PM Census Region T67 and X30
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 1999-2020 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2021. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2020, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd-icd10.html on Feb 20, 2024 1:14:02 PM State T67 code search.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 1999-2020 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2021. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2020, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd-icd10.html on Feb 20, 2024 2:19:18 PM State X30 code search.
Chicago Sun Times. “Three more heat-related deaths bring total to 22.” 7-11-2012. Accessed 7-12-2012: http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/13723173-418/three-more-heat-related-deaths-bring-total-to-22.html
Chicago Sun-Times. “Woman is 19th to die from heat this month: autopsy.” 7-10-2012. Accessed 7-11-2012 at: http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/13706825-418/woman-is-19th-to-die-from-heat-this-month-autopsy.html
Chicago Tribune (Liam Ford). “8 more die of heat-related causes in Cook County. 18 total deaths from recent heat wave, medical examiner’s office says.” 7-9-2012. Accessed 6-28-2012 at: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-07-09/news/ct-met-more-heat-deaths-0709-20120709_1_heat-related-deaths-heat-stress-heart-disease
Chicago Tribune. “27th heat-related death reported in Cook County.” 7-25-2012. Accessed 6-28-2015 at: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-07-25/news/chi-27th-heatrelated-death-reported-in-cook-county-20120725_1_heat-stress-and-heart-diabetic-ketoacidosis-englewood-neighborhood
City of St. Louis Missouri. St. Louis City Heat Related Deaths – St. Louis City Heat Related Deaths for the past five years (website). Accessed 7-2-2015 at: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/health/heat-related-deaths.cfm
Collinsville Herald, IL. Obituaries. 7-18-2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at EBSCO Host Connection: http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/obituaries/77929059/collinsville-man-56-dies-from-heat-related-illness
Coloradoan.com. “Update: Mother of children who died from heat charged with abuse.” 8-2-2012. Accessed 6-30-2015 at: http://www.coloradoan.com/article/D4/20120802/NEWS01/120802003/UPDATE-Mother-children-who-died-from-heat-charged-child-abuse
Cummings, Ian. “Heat wave suspected in two deaths.” Kansas City Star, MO, 6-28-2012. Accessed 7-10-2012: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/06/28/3681904/two-suspected-deaths-in-heat-wave.html
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Climate Change Indicators: Heat-Related Deaths (webpage). 11-1-2023. Accessed 2-7-2024 at:
https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-heat-related-deaths#ref6
Evansville Courier & Press (Megan Erbacher), IN. “Update: Coroner confirms that heat killed elderly Evansville couple.” 7-10-2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.courierpress.com/news/local-news/no-headline-ev_deathfolo
Fox2now (Kelly Hoskins), St. Louis, MO. “Heat Blamed In Fairmont City Woman’s Death.” 8-10-2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://fox2now.com/2012/08/10/heat-blamed-in-fairmont-city-womans-death/
Fox2now (Paul Schankman), St. Louis, MO. “Troy, IL Woman’s Death Blamed on Heat.” 7-9-2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://fox2now.com/2012/07/09/troy-il-womans-death-blamed-on-heat/
Fox4kc.com. “USPS found to be at fault in metro mailman’s heat death from 2012.” 9-18-2014. Accessed 6-28-2015 at: http://fox4kc.com/2014/09/18/usps-found-to-be-at-fault-in-metro-mailmans-heat-death-from-2012/
Fox4 News, Dallas-Fort Worth. “Child left in day care van, police say.” 7-20-2012, updated 7-21-2012. Accessed 7-1-2015 at: http://www.fox4news.com/story/19077891/child-left-in-day-care-van-police-say
Friswold, Paul. “Death Toll from Heat Wave Now at 18.” Riverfront Times, St. Louis. 7-12-2012. Accessed 7-13-2012: http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2012/07/death_toll_heat_wave_2012_st_louis.php
Friswold, Paul. “St. Charles Confirms First Heat Death of Summer; Death Toll for Region Now 24.” Riverfront Times, St. Louis. 7-24-2012. Accessed 7-25-2012 at: http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2012/07/st_charles_heat_death_confirmed.php
Friswold, Paul. “Three More Confirmed Deaths from Last Heat Wave, Death Toll Now 21.” Riverfront Times, St. Louis, 7-17-2012. Accessed at: http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2012/07/heat_death_toll_21_st_louis_senior_citizens.php
Gorucu, Serap, Clyde Fraisse, and Ziwen Yu. “Natural Heat-Related Deaths In Florida: 2010-2020.” University of Florida, IFAS Extension. Accessed 2-20-2024 at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AE558
Hertsgarrd, Mark. “Feel the Burn: Making the 2012 Heat Wave Matter.” The Nation, 8-13-20-2012. Accessed 6-7-2015 at: http://www.thenation.com/article/169089/feel-burn-making-2012-heat-wave-matter
Huang, Pien, Alyson Hurt, and Carmel Wroth. “This CDC data shows where rates of heat-related illness are highest.” GPB (PBS/NPR), Atlanta. 7-26-2023. Accessed 2-19-2023 at: https://www.gpb.org/news/shots-health-news/2023/07/26/cdc-data-shows-where-rates-of-heat-related-illness-are-highest
Huffington Post, Miami. “6-month-old Baby Rozalyn Ramos Found Dead in Doral after Being Forgotten in Father’s Car.” 9-26-2012. Accessed 6-29-2015 at:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/26/6-month-old-dead-after-fo_n_1916477.html
Huffington Post, Chicago. “Chicago Heat Wave Deaths: Cook County Heat-Related Deaths Up To 18.” 7-9-2012. Accessed 6-28-2015 at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/09/chicago-heat-wave-deaths-_n_1658895.html
Indystar.com. “Records reveal Greenfield dad’s steps, horror of discovering his baby in hot car.” 7-10-2012. Accessed 7-1-2015 at: http://www.indystar.com/article/20120709/NEWS02/207100307
KAIT8, Jonesboro, AR. “Father accused of leaving child in car charged with negligent homicide.” 8-3-2012. Accessed 6-30-2015 at: http://www.kait8.com/story/19192914/newport-police-investigating-a-child-death-after-being-left-in-car
KFSM 5 News, Fort Smith, AR. “3-Year-Old Trapped Inside Hot Car Dies.” 8-5-2012, updated 8-6-2012. Accessed 6-30-2015 at: http://5newsonline.com/2012/08/05/3-year-old-boy-dies-in-hot-car-in-benton-county/
KFSM5 News (Larry Henry), Fort Smith, Ark. “Worker Who Died from Heat Stroke Identified.” 6-26-2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://5newsonline.com/2012/06/26/landscaper-dies-from-heat-stroke-at-ua/
KFSM 5 News (Larry Henry and Shain Bergan) Fort Bend AR. “Name Released of Springdale Boy who Died in Hot Car.” 8-3-2012, updated 8-6-2012. Accessed 6-30-2015 at: http://5newsonline.com/2012/08/03/child-dies-after-being-left-in-hot-car/
KHOU, Houston. “Brazoria County baby left in hot car dies.” 7-17-2012. Accessed 7-1-2015 at: http://www.khou.com/story/news/2014/07/20/11773282/
KJZZ 91.5, Maricopa County, AZ (Carrie Jung). “Big Drop in Arizona Heat-Related Deaths in 2014.” 5-8-2015. Accessed at: http://kjzz.org/content/136935/big-drop-arizona-heat-related-deaths-2014
KOAT7 (Anna Velasquez), Albuquerque, NM. “Parents outraged child left in hot car.” 8-9-2012. Accessed 6-29-2015 at: http://www.koat.com/news/new-mexico/albuquerque/Parents-outraged-child-left-in-hot-car/16024462
KOLR10 News. “Arkansas Sees First Heat Death for Summer 2012.” 7-19-2012. Accessed 7-20-2012 at: http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=676282
KSDK, St. Louis. “7 new cases bring total to 10 in the city of St. Louis.” 7-10-2012. Accessed 7-10-2012: http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/327597/3/Heat-wave-death-toll-reaches-10-in-St-Louis
KSLA News (Sean Staggs), Shreveport. “Police identify infant found dead in car at LSU Hospital.” 8-22-2012. Accessed 6-29-2015 at: http://www.ksla.com/story/19345335/police-identify-infant-found-dead-in-car-at-lsu-hospital
Las Vegas Review Journal (Teghan Simonton and Michael Scott Davidson). “‘Alarming’ trend continues as Vegas heat deaths hit decade peak in 2021.” 6-30-2022. Accessed 2-19-2024 at: https://www.reviewjournal.com/investigations/alarming-trend-continues-as-vegas-heat-deaths-hit-decade-peak-in-2021-2600806/
Lee, Mike Tighe. “Heat wave turns deadly: Two area deaths blamed on weather.” Winona Daily News, WI, 77-2012, 12 am. Accessed 7-10-2012 at: http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/article_c85973e0-c7e8-11e1-b121-001a4bcf887a.html
Maricopa County Department of Public Health (Vjollca Berisha), Division of Disease Control, Office of Epidemiology. Impact of Extreme Heat on Human Mortality and Morbidity: Surveillance Systems in Maricopa County. 7-29-2013. Accessed 2-20-2024 at: https://www.azdhs.gov/documents/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-diseases-training/2013/VjollaBersha.pdf
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. “Maryland’s first 2015 heat-related death involved young child left in hot car.” 7-16-2015. Accessed 1-9-2016 at: http://dhmh.maryland.gov/newsroom1/Pages/Maryland-confirms-first-2015-heat-related-death-was-that-of-a-child.aspx
Minnesota Department of Health. Heat-related Deaths: Facts & Figures, 2000-2013 (webpage). Accessed 9-2-2015 at: https://apps.health.state.mn.us/mndata/heat_deaths#year
Mississippi Press. “Jasper County toddler dies after being locked inside car for two hours.” Gulflive.com. 5-29-2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/05/jasper_county_toddler_dies_aft.html
MSNBC. “US heat wave eases, but death toll rises.” 7-8-2012. Accessed 7-8-2012 at: http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/08/12624445-us-heat-wave-eases-but-death-toll-rises?lite
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Arizona, Yuma/Martinez Lake and Vicinity, July 9-11, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=386013
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Illinois, Cook County, July 4-7, 2014. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=404050
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat. Illinois, St. Clair County, July 16-19, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=399907
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Illinois Madison County, July 1-8, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=383636
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Illinois, Peoria County, July 1-7, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=392836
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Indiana, Vanderburgh County, July 1-8-2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=393064
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Louisiana, Lafayette Parish, June 25, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=390146
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Maryland, Southern Baltimore, July 5, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=405564
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Missouri, Jackson County, July 4-7, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=402331
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Missouri, Jackson County, July 18-25, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=402384
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Missouri, St. Charles County, July 1-8, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=399759
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (Central), June 27-30, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=399447
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (City), July 1-8, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=399771
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (C), July 16-19, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=399934
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Missouri, St. Louis County, July 16-19, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=399933
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Missouri, Warren County, July 16-19, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=399935
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, July 11, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=393720
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, New York, Southern Queens, June 20-21, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=381738
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, June 20-22, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=388563
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, June 29, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=388346
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 4-7, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=403711
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 17-18, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=403712
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Excessive Heat, Texas, Dallas, July 20, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=403086
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Excessive Heat, Texas, Duval County, June 10, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=392165
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Barron County, July 1, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=405184
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Barron County, July 1-7, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=396652
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Columbia County, July 2-6, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=404559
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Dane County, July 2-6, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=404561
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Milwaukee, July 3-6, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=404572
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat. Alabama. Clarke. 8-3-2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=390148
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Arkansas, Washington County, June 24-30, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=394637
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, California, Coachella Valley, May 12, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=385546
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, California, Death Valley National Park, Aug 7, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=411290
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Illinois, Cook County, July 17-18, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=404138
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Illinois, Cook County, July 25, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=404139
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Illinois, Cook County, July 30, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=405075
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Kentucky, Jefferson County, July 6, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=381394
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Louisiana, Upper Jefferson, Sep 3, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=415103
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Maryland, Southern Baltimore, July 8, 2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=405507
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Mississippi, Tishomingo County, July 1-8, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=401043
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (Central), June 24, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=397105
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis County, July 10, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=399779
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Nebraska, Douglas County, June 27-28, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=380749
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, July 4, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=395053
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, Aug 8-11, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=406465
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, Aug 14-15, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=406466
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, New Mexico, Albuquerque Metro Area, Aug 6, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=389976
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Ohio, Licking County, July 1-7, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=405016
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Heat, Pennsylvania, Montgomery, July 1, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=389123
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 26, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=403713
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Tennessee, Davidson County, July 7-14, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=404476
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Tennessee, Rutherford County, Aug 2, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=404007
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Tennessee, Shelby, July 1-7, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=401041
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Tennessee, Shelby, July 25-26, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=401109
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Texas, Bell County, June 26, 2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=390432
National Weather Service. NOAA. 2012 Heat Related Fatalities. 5-7-2013. Accessed 6-28-2015 at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hazstats/heat12.pdf
National Weather Service Central Region Headquarters, Kansas City, MO. Summer Weather Safety. “Missouri Heat Related Deaths.” 7-15-2014 modification. Accessed 9-25-2015 at: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/Image/lsx/wcm/Heat/SummerWeatherSafetySummary.pdf
NBC (Jay Gray). “Heatwave blamed for at least 87 deaths across 13 states.” 7-9-2012, 6:34 pm. Accessed 7-10-2012 at: http://www.nbc33tv.com/news/national-news/heatwave-blamed-for-at-least-87-deaths-across-13-states
NBC News/Associated Press. “US heat wave eases, but death toll rises.” 7-8-2012. Accessed 7-6-2015 at: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/07/08/12624445-us-heat-wave-eases-but-death-toll-rises?lite
NBC, MSBC.Com, AP. “US heat wave eases, but death toll rises.” 7-8-2012. Accessed 6-7-2015: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/07/08/12624445-us-heat-wave-eases-but-death-toll-rises?lite
NBC6 Miami, “BSO Investigating Death of 4-Year-Old Boy in SUV in Tamarac.” 8-3-2012. Accessed 6-30-2015 at: http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/BSO-Investigating-Death-of-4-Year-Old-Boy-Found-in-Car-in-Tamarac-164880016.html
Neshoba Democrat, MS. “Child’s death ruled accidental.” 6-13-2012. Accessed 7-1-2015 at: http://neshobademocrat.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=297&ArticleID=26238
New York Daily News (Philip Caulfield). “Kentucky baby left in car dies; Lincoln Lindsay succumbs to heat in Louisville driveway after being left by father.” 6-20-2012. Accessed 7-1-2015 at: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/kentucky-baby-left-car-dies-lincoln-lindsay-succumbs-heat-louisville-driveway-left-father-article-1.1099260
New York Times. “Unrelenting Heat Wave Bakes All In Its Reach.” 7-7-2012. Accessed 7-8-2012 at: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/us/temperatures-soar-as-heat-wave-continues.html
News Sun (Christopher Tuffley), Mobile. “Toddler was left in truck; father charged with manslaughter.” 9-11-2012. Accessed 6-29-2015 at: http://mobile.newssun.com/091212-ct-amelia
Null, Jan. “Child Vehicular Hyperthermia Deaths – 2012,” Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles (Dept. of Meteorology & Climate Science, San Jose State University). Accessed 6-28-2015 at: http://www.ggweather.com/heat/hyperthermia2012.htm
Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Heat Fatalities (Text Version of Map). Washington, DC: OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, 8-4-2014 update. Accessed 7-12-2015 at: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/map.html
Philly.com. “Philadelphia’s fifth heat-related death since May.” 7-5-2012. Accessed 7-12-2012: http://articles.philly.com/2012-07-05/news/32537737_1_heat-related-excessive-heat-warning-second-heat-wave
Pocono Record, Stroudsburg, PA. “Update: Sixth heat-related death reported in Pa.” 7-9-2012. Accessed 7-12-2012: http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120709/NEWS90/120709825/-1/rss01
Quad-City Times. “Heat blamed in death of East St. Louis man.” 7-19-2012. Accessed 7-20-2012 at: http://qctimes.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/heat-blamed-in-death-of-east-st-louis-man/article_ca253636-7462-596c-9c9f-5bd22e3d2c44.html
Riverfront Times, St. Louis. “Death Toll from Heat Wave Now at 18.” 7-12-2012. Accessed 7-13-2012: http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2012/07/death_toll_heat_wave_2012_st_louis.php
Singh, Anoopa. “Heat Advisory: Nearly 700 Americans Die During Heat Waves Every Year. Medical Daily, 6-7-2013. Accessed 6-10-2013 at: http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/16323/20130607/heat-wave-advisory-heat-related-deaths-overheating-climate-change.htm
St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Tim O’Neil). “Heat wave death toll rise to 12 in St. Louis area.” 7-10-2012. Accessed 7-10-2012 at: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/heat-wave-death-toll-rises-to-in-st-louis-area/article_f8bdbd57-0873-502f-a28a-84d8d54ae432.html
State of Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, Division of Emergency Management. “Wisconsin Heat Awareness Day June 12, 2014” (Press Release). 6-4-2014. Accessed 9-2-2015 at: http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/heat/docs/HeatAwarenessDay2014Release.pdf
STLtoday.com (Tim O’Neil), St. Louis. “Heat wave death toll rise to 12 in St. Louis area.” 7-10-2012. Accessed 7-10-2012 at: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/heat-wave-death-toll-rises-to-in-st-louis-area/article_f8bdbd57-0873-502f-a28a-84d8d54ae432.html
The News Center, Parkersburg, WV. “Update: Former Day Care Owner Gets Trial Date.” 3-16-2015. Accessed 6-29-2015 at: http://www.thenewscenter.tv/home/headlines/Initial-Reports-Baby-Left-In-Hot-Car-Dies-168078946.html
The Republic/azcentral.com (Jim Walsh). “Mesa police: Baby died in car without AC; baby-sitter arrested.” 7-11-2012. Accessed 7-1-2015 at: http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/20120711mesa-police-baby-died-car-without-ac-babysitter-arrested-dui.html
The Virginian-Pilot (Patrick Wilson), Portsmouth. “Portsmouth police: Dad apparently forgot baby in car.” 7-17-2012. Accessed 7-1-2015 at: http://hamptonroads.com/2012/07/portsmouth-police-dad-apparently-forgot-baby-car
Timesfreepress.com (Kate Belz), Chattanooga, TN. “Two Bradley County children were dying of hyperthermia as their family called for help.” 7-20-2012. Accessed 7-1-2015 at: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/news/story/2012/jul/20/two-bradley-county-children-were-dying-of/82949/
Todt, Ron (AP) and Brett Zongker. “Heat wave blamed for 30 deaths.” 7-8-2012. Accessed 7-8-2012: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120708/NEWS/207080349/-1/NEWSMAP
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. Accessed 8-31-2015 at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/injviosaf/Documents/HeatPlanAssessment-EPIC.pdf
UPI.com. “Record U.S. heat wave deaths up to 52.” 7-8-2012, 11:47 pm. Accessed 7-9-2012 at: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2012/07/08/Record-US-heat-wave-deaths-up-to-52/UPI-65931341764492/
USA Today (Oren Dorell). “Extreme heat wave is taking its toll across the nation.” 6-29-2012. Accessed 7-9-2012 at: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-30/heat-wave-deaths/55931492/1
USMWF (United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities). Weeklytoll.blogspot.com. “The Weekly Toll: Death in the American Workplace…July 2012.” 3-5-2013. Accessed 7-19-2015 at: http://weeklytoll.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-weekly-toll-death-in-american.html
Washington Post (Lena Sun). “Heat-related deaths climb to 31 in D.C., Md., Va.,” 7-10-2012. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post_now/post/heat-related-deaths-climb-to-31-in-dc-md-va/2012/07/10/gJQAxA7TbW_blog.html
Washington Post. “Heat wave cause of at least 46 deaths.” 7-9-2012. Accessed 7-9-2012 at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/heat-wave-cause-of-at-least-46-deaths/2012/07/09/gJQASf04XW_video.html
WBAL.com, 1090 AM. “Heat Wave Blamed For Maryland Deaths.” 7-3-2012. Accessed 7-10-2012: http://www.wbal.com/article/91625/3/template-story/Heat-Wave-Blamed-For-Maryland-Deaths-
WBTV, Charlotte, NC. “Report: Toddler found dead inside junk car in backyard.” 6-28-2012, updated 7-28-2012. Accessed 7-1-2015 at: http://www.wbtv.com/story/18905618/report-toddler-found-dead-inside-junk-car-in-backyard
WDAF-TV, Kansas City. “Prosecutors: No Charges in Death of Lee’s Summit Infant.” 7-11-2012. Accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://fox4kc.com/2012/07/11/prosecutors-no-charges-in-death-of-lees-summit-infant/
WDAM7, Hattiesburg and Laurel, MS, “Jasper County child dies in hot car.” 5-29-2012. accessed 7-2-2015 at: http://www.wdam.com/story/18646036/jasper-county-child-dies-in-hot-car
WEAU.com. “Heat Wave 2012: Two more deaths associated with high heat.” 7-6-2012. Accessed: http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/HEAT_WAVE_2012_Two_more_deaths_associated_with_high_heat_161621905.html
WISC-TV, Madison, WI. “3 deaths attributed to heat; warning extended.” 7-6-2012, updated 7-7-2012. Accessed 7-3-2015 at: http://www.channel3000.com/weather/3-deaths-attributed-to-heat-warning-extended/15427444
WittetkaTalk (Sun-Times Media Wire), Chicago, IL. “Heat wave blamed for 23 deaths.” 7-13-2012. Accessed 7-14-2012 at: http://winnetka.suntimes.com/news/13750693-418/heat-wave-blamed-for-23-deaths.html
WPVI-TV, Philadelphia. “Coroner: Pa. deaths of husband, wife heat-related.” 7-11-2012. Accessed 7-12-2012 at: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8733139
WSAZ3 News (Brooks Jarosz and Anna Baxter). Charleston, WV. “Update: Charges Pending Against Foster Parents in Toddler’s Death.” 7-23-2012. Accessed 6-30-2015 at: http://www.wsaz.com/home/headlines/BREAKING-NEWS–Small-Child-Dies-in-Hot-Car-in-Jackson-County-WVa–163351556.html
WTAQ, Green Bay. “8 heat related deaths in Wisconsin so far, toll likely to grow.” 7-16-2012. Accessed 7-17-2012: http://whbl.com/news/articles/2012/jul/17/8-heat-related-deaths-in-wisconsin-so-far-toll-likely-to-grow/
WTKR, Norfolk, VA. “Heat wave causing deaths across the US.” 7-7-2012. Accessed 7-9-2012 at: http://wtkr.com/2012/07/07/heat-wave-causing-deaths-across-the-us/
[1] These CDC-Wonder results relate only to cases where hyperthermia was coded as the primary (direct) cause of death by a medical examiner on a death certificate. “Heat-related” deaths are viewed as those where heat was a contributing (indirect) cause of death, and are not included.
[2] Cites Wunderground.com.
[3] Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences “Report of Autopsy” in Null.
[4] National Climatic Data Cen., NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat. Alabama. Clarke. 8-3-2012.
[5] From table “Arizona Deaths From Exposure to Excessive Natural Heat.” Data from AZ Dept. of Health Services.
[6] Cites Maricopa County Office of Vital Registration and Office of Medical Examiner; also Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Vital Registration. Notes that 13 cases were pending as of 3-29-2013.
[7] OSHA, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version of Map). 8-4-2014 update.
[8] The Republic/azcentral.com (Jim Walsh). “Mesa police: Baby died in car without AC; baby-sitter arrested.” 7-11-2012. Article notes that the 19-year-old male baby-sitter was arrested for “suspicion of aggravated driving under the influence,” and had been driving the car without air conditioning for four hours before noticing the child was ill. Null notes that the temperature was 113°.
[9] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Arizona, Yuma/Martinez Lake and Vicinity, July 9-11, 2012.
[10] Null; KFSM 5 News, Fort Bend, AR. “3-Year-Old Trapped Inside Hot Car Dies.” 8-5-2012, updated 8-6-2012. According to the KFSM report “The child climbed into the back of the family car and was unable to get out…”
[11] OSHA, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version of Map). 8-4-2014 update.
[12] “Lopez died of heat stroke after his body temperature reached 109 degrees, said Roger Morris, Washington County coroner.” (KFSM5 News (L. Henry), Fort Smith, Ark. “Worker Who Died from Heat Stroke Identified.” 6-26-2012.) Also: NCDC. Storm Events Database. Details. Heat, Arkansas, Washington County, June 24-30-2012.
[13] Null; KAIT8, Jonesboro, AR. “Father accused of leaving child in car charged with negligent homicide.” 8-3-2012. According to KAIT8 story, the father forgot to take his daughter to daycare and left her in the car when he went to work, not discovering her in the car until he arrived home from work.
[14] The boy’s great grandparents left him in their car in a store parking lot while they shopped for two hours. Windows were up. It was 102 degrees outside and may have reached as high as 150 degrees inside according to a responding fire captain. KFSM 5 News (Larry Henry and Shain Bergan) Fort Bend AR. “Name Released of Springdale Boy who Died in Hot Car.” 8-3-2012, updated 8-6-2012.
[15] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, California, Death Valley National Park, Aug 7, 2012.
[16] OSHA, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version of Map). 8-4-2014 update.
[17] OSHA, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version of Map). 8-4-2014 update.
[18] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, California, Coachella Valley, May 12, 2012.
[19] OSHA, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version of Map). 8-4-2014 update.
[20] Huffpost Miami. “6-month-old Baby…Found Dead In Doral After Being Forgotten In Father’s Car.” 9-26-2012.
[21] Notes the high temperature was in the low 90s. News Sun (Christopher Tuffley), Mobile. “Toddler was left in truck; father charged with manslaughter.” 9-11-2012.
[22] Null; also NBC6 Miami, “BSO Investigating Death of 4-Year-Old Boy in SUV in Tamarac.” 8-3-2012. NBC6 Miami identifies the victim as Jordan Coleman, and writes that the day care was in the Versailles Gardens apartment complex. Cites Miami Herald to effect that “the child had been left in the sweltering SUV for more than two hours by the daughter of th operator of the day care center.”
[23] Huffington Post, Chicago. “Chicago Heat Wave Deaths: Cook County Heat-Related Deaths…18.” 7-9-2012.
[24] Chicago Tribune. “8 more die of heat-related causes in Cook County. 18 total deaths from recent heat wave, medical examiner’s office says.” 7-9-2012; AP. “Number of heat-related deaths in Chicago up to 18.” 7-8-2012.”
[25] The 27th person was identified as Albert McKinney, 64, Englewood neighborhood, according to Cook County medical examiner’s office, who noted “He was found decomposed at his home.” Chicago Tribune. “27th heat-related death reported in Cook County.” 7-25-2012.
[26] We are not using this figure in our tally because (1) it is larger than the 27 reported on July 25, and (2) we speculate that one or more of the unidentified deaths reported by the NCDC and noted below, may have been listed with an incorrect age for the deceased, and thus may be one of the identified deaths we have listed here.
[27] Chicago Sun Times. “Three more heat-related…” 7-11-2012
[28] Date is from ABC11 News (Eric Horng). “Medical Examiner: Two People Dead from Heat.” 7-5-2012. Cites Cook County Medical Examiner to effect that this death and that of Jon McCullough, was “from heat stress.”
[29] Obesity also noted as a secondary cause. Chicago Tribune. “8 more die of heat-related causes in…” 7-9-2012.
[30] Chicago Sun Times. “Three…heat-related…” 7-11-2012; NCDC. Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.
[31] Chicago Sun Times. “Three…heat-related…” 7-11-2012; NCDC. Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.
[32] Other contributing causes were diabetes and obesity. “Investigators measured the temperature in her apartment at 110 degrees.” Chicago Tribune (Liam Ford). “8 more die of heat-related causes in Cook County.” 7-9-2012.
[33] Was “found at home with a body temperature of more than 107 degrees, according to the medical examiner’s office.” Chicago Tribune (Liam Ford). “8 more die of heat-related causes in Cook County.” 7-9-2012.
[34] Chicago Sun Times. “Three…heat-related…” 7-11-2012; NCDC. Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.
[35] Chicago Sun Times. “Woman is 19th to die from heat this month: autopsy.” 7-10-2012.
[36] ABC7 Eyewitness News Eric Horng), Chicago. “Medical Examiner: Two People Dead from Heat.” 7-4-2012. Highlighted in that “the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office was working Thursday morning to determine if heat played a role in five deaths, including that of 95-year-old Iona Kedrics, who was found dead Tuesday night…”
[37] Chicago Sun Times. “Three…heat-related…” 7-11-2012; NCDC. Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.
[38] Chicago Sun Times. “Three…heat-related…” 7-11-2012; NCDC. Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.
[39] Chicago Sun Times. “Three more heat-related…” 7-11-2012.
[40] ABC11 News (Eric Horng). “Medical Examiner: Two People Dead from Heat.” 7-5-2012. Cites Cook County Medical Examiner to effect that he “died from heat stress.” According to the article “McCullough’s mother…says her son spent a lot of time outdoors, and she became concerned. She says she tried to get him to a hospital. ‘It didn’t need to happen,’ she said, ‘if he had been willing to go to the hospital when I thought that he needed to.’”
[41] Chicago Sun Times. “Three…heat-related…” 7-11-2012; NCDC. Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.
[42] Chicago Tribune. “27th heat-related death reported in Cook County.” 7-25-2012.
[43] Chicago Sun Times. “Three…heat-related…” 7-11-2012; NCDC. Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.
[44] “…investigators measured the temperature at 100 degrees” in her apartment. Chicago Tribune (Liam Ford). “8 more die of heat-related causes in Cook County.” 7-9-2012.
[45] Chicago Tribune (Liam Ford). “8 more die of heat-related causes in Cook County.” 7-9-2012.
[46] Chicago Sun Times. “Three…heat-related…” 7-11-2012; NCDC. Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.
[47] Chicago Sun Times. “Three more heat-related…” 7-11-2012.
[48] Obesity also noted as a secondary cause. Chicago Tribune. “8 more die of heat-related causes in…” 7-9-2012.
[49] Chicago Tribune (Liam Ford). “8 more die of heat-related causes in Cook County.” 7-9-2012.
[50] Chicago Tribune (Liam Ford). “8 more die of heat-related causes in Cook County.” 7-9-2012.
[51] Chicago Sun Times. “Three…heat-related…” 7-11-2012; NCDC Storm Events Database. Ex. Heat, July 4-11.
[52] Highlighted in that either this death or death of the 73-year-old male could be reference to Ruben Martinez, 70s.
[53] Described as a “heat related illness.”
[54] Described as a “heat related illness.”
[55] Described as a “heat related illness.”
[56] Highlighted and not included in our tally in that though this is dated July 25 in the NCDC Storm Events Database (Heat, Illinois, Cook County, July 25, 12:00 to 20:00), it is so similar to the case of Albert McKinney, of the same age, whose decomposing body was found on July 24, that we think the two may be one and the same.
[57] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Illinois, Cook County, July 30, 2012.
[58] Chicago Sun Times. “Three more heat-related…” 7-11-2012
[59] Collinsville Herald, IL. Obituaries. 7-18-2012. Accessed at EBSCO Host Connection. See, also: NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details Excessive Heat, Illinois Madison County, July 1-8, 2012. St. Louis Post-Dispatch article by Blythe Bernhard notes that he had an air conditioner but was not using it. (“Stubbornness can be lethal in St. Louis heat wave.” 7-23-2012.)
[60] Fox2now (Paul Schankman), St. Louis, MO. “Troy, IL Woman’s Death Blamed on Heat.” 7-9-2012. See, also: NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details Excessive Heat, Illinois Madison County, July 1-8, 2012.
[61] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details, Excessive Heat, Illinois, Peoria County, July 1-7, 2012.
[62] Fox2now (Kelly Hoskins), St. Louis, MO. “Heat Blamed In Fairmont City Woman’s Death.” 8-10-2012. Also: NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Excessive Heat. Illinois, St. Clair County, July 16-19, 2012.
[63] “The St. Clair County Coroner’s Office says Jean Delameter appears to have been dead for at least two days when her body was found Tuesday [Aug 7] in her home. Authorities say Delameter had two window air conditioning units in her trailer but those units weren’t working properly.” (Fox2now (Kelly Hoskins), St. Louis, MO. “Heat Blamed In Fairmont City Woman’s Death.” 8-10-2012.)
[64] Indystar.com. “Records reveal Greenfield dad’s steps, horror of discovering his baby in hot car.” 7-10-2012. Article notes he forgot to take her out of the car “in the triple-digit heat.” See, also, Null.
[65] NBC News/Associated Press. “US heat wave eases, but death toll rises.” 7-8-2012.
[66] NBC News/Associated Press. “US heat wave eases, but death toll rises.” 7-8-2012.
[67] Evansville Courier & Press (Megan Erbacher), IN. “Update: Coroner confirms that heat killed elderly Evansville couple.” 7-10-2012. Article notes that bodies were not found until July 9, but cites Vanderburgh County Coroner to effect that the estimated time of death was July 3 of hyperthermia. See, also, NCDC Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Indiana, Vanderburgh County, July 1-8-2012.
[68] Ibid.
[69] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Indiana, Vanderburgh County, July 1-8-2012.
[70] New York Daily News (Philip Caulfield). “Kentucky baby left in car dies; Lincoln Lindsay succumbs to heat in Louisville driveway after being left by father.” 6-20-2012.
[71] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat. Kentucky, Jefferson County, July 6, 2012.
[72] OSHA, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version of Map). 8-4-2014 update. Highlighted in yellow to denote not included in total given ambiguity as to cause of death.
[73] Null. See, also, Associated Press “Lafayette baby dies after being left in hot car.” NOLA.com. 6-26-2012. AP article notes “The high temperature in Lafayette Monday was 99 degrees.” Also, NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Excessive Heat, Louisiana, Lafayette Parish, June 25, 2012.
[74] Victim was Lourdes Marie Duvall. Father was hospital employee who accidentally left in car in parking lot all day. KSLA News (Sean Staggs), Shreveport. “Police identify infant found dead in car at LSU Hospital.” 8-22-2012.
[75] Writes that numbers are from the MD State Department of Health. Another article, in 2015, on the 1st heat-related death that year, also cites the MD Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene for the figure of 46 heat deaths in 2012.
[76] “State health officials confirmed five more heat-related deaths Monday [July 9] as a cool-down ended one of the longest heat waves on record for the region. The heat killed a total of 18 people during a 12-day stretch of 90- and 100-degree heat, state health officials reported.”
[77] Between June 30 and July 13.
[78] Two in Baltimore.
[79] Associated Press, Baltimore. “Three die in current heat wave.” Cumberland Times-News, MD. 7-3-2012, p. B1.
[80] Associated Press, Baltimore. “Fourth heat-related death reported.” Cumberland Times-News, MD. 7-4-2012, 3B.
[81] AP, Baltimore. “Maryland heat-related deaths climb to eight.” Cumberland Times-News, MD. 7-6-2012, B1.
[82] Associated Press, Baltimore. “Three die in current heat wave.” Cumberland Times-News, MD. 7-3-2012, p. B1.
[83] AP, Baltimore. “Maryland heat-related deaths climb to eight.” Cumberland Times-News, MD. 7-6-2012, B1.
[84] Article notes there was at least one heat-related death in St. Mary’s County.
[85] Associated Press, Baltimore. “Three die in current heat wave.” Cumberland Times-News, MD. 7-3-2012, p. B1.
[86] Baltimore Sun. “Five added to death toll before heat faded.” 7-9-2012. Article writes there were two heat-related deaths, but we have one listed separately in that more detail is available.
[87] Car was parked in front of home where parents apparently forgot they had left their baby. Boston Globe (Martine Powers and Travis Andersen). “Lowell neighbors praise parents of baby who died.” 8-26-2012. Name of child is from Null. Child Vehicular Hyperthermia Deaths – 2012, who notes the temperature as 83 degrees.
[88] Notes: “Deaths due explicitly to heat only, in Minnesota.”
[89] Mississippi Press, “Jasper County toddler dies after being locked inside car for two hours.” Gulflive.com. 5-29-2012; also WDAM7, Hattiesburg and Laurel, MS, “Jasper County child dies in hot car.” 5-29-2012.
[90] Child taken to Neshoba County General Hospital where an autopsy ruled her death “an accidental death from heat exposure.” (Neshoba Democrat, MS. “Child’s death ruled accidental.” 6-13-2012.) Also Null.
[91] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Mississippi, Tishomingo County, July 1-8, 2012.
[92] Cites as source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).
[93] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Excessive Heat, Missouri, Jackson County, July 4-7-2012.
[94] We changed the total to six in that we separately note the July 24 death of postman John Watzlawick, whose deaths we presume is included in the seven for Jackson County. (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Excessive Heat, Missouri, Jackson County, July 18-25, 2012.)
[95] USPS mailman. Fox4kc.com. “USPS found to be at fault in metro mailman’s heat death from 2012.” 9-18-2014; OSHA, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version of Map). 8-4-2014 update.
[96] Highlighted and not counted in that this death might well be one of the two KC deaths noted by Cummings.
[97] Left in car by mother when she went to work, stating she thought she had dropped the infant off at day care. Null and WDAF-TV, Kansas City. “Prosecutors: No Charges in Death of Lee’s Summit Infant.” 7-11-2012.
[98] St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Heat wave death toll rise to 12 in St. Louis area.” 7-10-2012. Cites Madison County coroner as reporting its first victim Sunday [July 8].Madison County abuts St. Louis to the northeast.
[99] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Excessive Heat, Missouri, St. Charles, July 1-8, 2012. Notes that “An air conditioner had been removed some time ago due to expense.”
[100] Was under investigation: “…the St. Clair County coroner was reviewing one death that may have been caused by heat.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Heat wave death toll rise to 12 in St. Louis area.” 7-10-2012.
[101] Also: NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (Central), June 24, 2012.
[102] “The City of St. Louis reported 2 heat related deaths on June 30. An 80 year old man died in his home. There was a window air conditioner but it was not turned on. A 74 year old woman was found dead in her apartment. There was central air conditioning that was not turned on.” (NCDC Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, MO, June 30.) Also: City of St. Louis. Heat Related Deaths.
[103] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Excessive Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (City), July 1-8-2012.
[104] Could refer to “Hedwig I. Hanus, 84, found Thursday in a single-family home in which she lived alone in the 3800 block of Marine Avenue…The home had an air conditioner that wasn’t plugged in, and only blew hot air when investigators tested it.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Heat wave death toll rise to 12 in St. Louis area.” 7-10-2012.
[105] Probably a reference to “Jeanette M. Basch, 76, found Thursday [July 5] in a single-family home in which she lived alone in the 4400 block of Wabash Avenue in St. Louis. No information was available on whether the home was air-conditioned.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Heat wave death toll rise to 12 in St. Louis area.” 7-10-2012.
[106] Probably a reference to “Jeanne M. Marshall, 75, found Friday [July 6] in a one-story home she shared with relatives in the 3300 block of Arlington Avenue in St. Louis. The home had one window air conditioner.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Heat wave death toll rise to 12 in St. Louis area.” 7-10-2012.
[107] Could refer to “Altamesa Dobson, 8, found unresponsive Friday in her family’s ninth-floor home at the Blumeyer Apartments…She was pronounced dead a short time later at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Altamesa was in a room that did not have air conditioning, although other rooms in the apartment had working units.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Heat wave death toll rise to 12 in St. Louis area.” 7-10-2012.
[108] Probably a reference to “Linda Allen, 62, found Wednesday on the second floor of a duplex in the 4200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue in St. Louis. The dwelling did not have an air conditioner. Allen lived alone. She was pronounced dead Friday [July 6].” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Heat wave death toll rise to 12 in St.…” 7-10-2012.
[109] Probably a reference to “Velma Henderson, 72, found Friday [July 6] inside her home in the 7100 block of Winchester Avenue in Northwoods. The home had central air conditioning that was not working. A window unit was on but was blowing warm air.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Heat wave death toll rise to 12…” 7-10-2012.
[110] Probably a reference to “Henry Lee Lomax, 72, found Saturday [July 7] on the main floor of his single-family brick home in the 4300 block of Evans Avenue in St. Louis. His home had air conditioning units, but he didn’t use them. Lomax lived alone.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Heat wave death toll rise to 12 in St. Louis area.” 7-10-2012.
[111] Four lines down from previous listing of July 7th death of a white male, 43 years old. Could be double listing.
[112] Probably a reference to “Marvin C. Flanigan, 72, found Sunday [July 8] in his bedroom in a single-family brick home without air conditioning in the 3100 block of Nebraska Avenue in St. Louis. His wife had gone to stay with relatives, but Flanigan refused to leave.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Heat wave death toll rise to 12…” 7-10-2012.
[113] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Excessive Heat, Missouri, St. Louis (C), July 16-19, 2012.
[114] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Excessive Heat, Missouri, St. Louis County, July 16-19, 2012.
[115] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Missouri, St. Louis County, July 10, 2012.
[116] “…the St. Louis County medical examiner reported its first [heat-related death], a death in Northwoods.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Heat wave death toll rise to 12 in St. Louis area.” 7-10-2012.
[117] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Excessive Heat, Missouri, Warren County, July 16-19, 2012.
[118] “…heat wave…sent around 45 people to local hospitals in the Omaha area due to heat exhaustion. The heat was also apparently responsible for one death as a Council Bluffs Iowa man was found dead after crashing his vehicle into a construction zone and then attempting to walk for help a half mile down the road. Hic core body temperature was around 110 degrees.” (NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Nebraska, Douglas, June 27-28.)
[119] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, July 4, 2012.
[120] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Excessive Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, July 11, 2012.
[121] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, Aug 8-11, 2012.
[122] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, Aug 8-11, 2012.
[123] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, Aug 8-11, 2012.
[124] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, Aug 14-15, 2012.
[125] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, Aug 14-15, 2012.
[126] OSHA, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version of Map). 8-4-2014 update.
[127] KOAT7 (Anna Velasquez), Albuquerque, NM. “Parents outraged child left in hot car.” 8-9-2012. Also: NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, New Mexico, Albuquerque Metro Area, Aug 6, 2012.
[128] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, New York, Southern Queens, June 20-21.
[129] WBTV, Charlotte, NC. “Report: Toddler found dead inside junk car in backyard.” 6-28-2012, 7-28-2012 update. Article notes the child was playing with other siblings and was left in the car in hot weather; cites the NC Dept. of Health and Human Services to the effect that the last child death from hyperthermia in North Carolina was in 2009.
[130] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Ohio, Licking County, July 1-7, 2012.
[131] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Ohio, Licking County, July 1-7, 2012.
[132] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Ohio, Licking County, July 1-7, 2012.
[133] OSHA, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update. Notes that “he was throwing roofing material off the roof into a dump truck. He developed heat stroke and later died.”
[134] OSHA, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version). 8-4-2014 update.
[135] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 4-7, 2012. NCDC episode narrative notes that “While there was an air conditioner, it was not operating. The temperature inside the house was more than 90 degrees when the body was discovered.”
[136] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 4-7, 2012. Narrative notes that “The air-conditioner…was not operating and the temperature within the house was over 100 degrees.”
[137] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Pennsylvania, Montgomery, July 1, 2012. No air conditioning.
[138] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Pennsylvania, Montgomery, July 1, 2012. No air conditioning.
[139] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, June 20-22, 2012.
[140] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, June 29, 2012.
[141] Philadelphia Inquirer (Anthony R. Wood). “Philadelphia’s fifth heat-related death since May.” 7-5-2012.
[142] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 4-7, 2012.
[143] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 4-7, 2012.
[144] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 4-7, 2012.
[145] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 4-7, 2012.
[146] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 4-7, 2012.
[147] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 17-18, 2012.
[148] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heat, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, July 26, 2012.
[149] Timesfreepress.com (Kate Belz), Chattanooga, TN. “Two Bradley County children were dying of hyperthermia as their family called for help.” 7-20-2012. Mother was arrested and “indicted on murder, child neglect and methamphetamine-related charges in connection with the boys’ deaths. Officials say Leland and River died in a car, while Bates [the mother] said they were playing outside on a Slip’n Slide water toy.” Cites Bradley County Medical Examiner’s Office that “It seemed very unlikely to us that these children could have a temperature of 105-plus from being outside when the ambient temperature outside was 101 at best.” Another source notes that the mother was sentenced to two life terms in prison on November 25, 2013 and that her children died of “Hyperthermia (severe overheating of the body).” Quotes the TimesFreePress.com, 11-26-2013 to effect that the body temperatures of the boys “reached at least 109 [for one boy] and 103 degrees [for the other] inside a hot car in June 2012.” (Juan Ignacio Blanco. Murderpedia. “Tasha Bates.”)
[150] Temperature hat afternoon reached high of 91. Mother said she thought she dropped her baby off at a daycare. Associated Press. “Police: 5-month-old baby found dead in van.” Timesfreepress.com, 8-7-2012. See, also: NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Tennessee, Davidson County, July 7-14, 2012.
[151] Null; also, Coloradoan.com. “Update: Mother of children who died from heat charged with abuse.” 8-2-2012. The news report quotes chief of police that the deaths were “apparent heat Stroke.” Null notes the outside temp. was 99.° Also: NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Heat, Tennessee, Rutherford County, Aug 2, 2012.
[152] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Tennessee, Shelby, July 1-7, 2012.
[153] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Tennessee, Shelby, July 1-7, 2012.
[154] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Tennessee, Shelby, July 1-7, 2012.
[155] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Tennessee, Shelby, July 25-26, 2012.
[156] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Tennessee, Shelby, July 25-26, 2012.
[157] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Heat, Texas, Bell County, June 26, 2012.
[158] KHOU, Houston. “Brazoria County baby left in hot car dies.” 7-17-2012. Also see Null.
[159] Fox4 News, Dallas-Fort Worth. “Child left in day care van, police say.” 7-20-2012, updated 7-21-2012. Fox4 identifies the day care center as Little T’s Tiny Tots, and writes: “Police are now questioning the day care employees and trying to determine exactly how the boy ended up in the van without an air conditioner on one of the hottest days of the year.” See, also, Null, who notes the temperature as 105°, which might refer to inside van temperature, and, NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Excessive Heat, Texas, Dallas, July 20, 2012.
[160] USMWF. Weeklytoll.blogspot.com. “The Weekly Toll: Death in the American Workplace, July 2012.” 3-5-2013. Identifies victim as Cruz Delgado Sanchez.
[161] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Excessive Heat, Texas, Duval County, June 10, 2012.
[162] Null, and Houston Chronicle (Mike Glenn). “Baby found dead in hot truck in Sugar Land.” 5-3-2012.
[163] OSHA, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version of Map). 8-4-2014 update. Identification as “56 year old Javier Herrera” is from USMWF, Weeklytoll.blogspot.com, which notes “he collapsed while shoveling asphalt.”
[164] The child was left, strapped in a car seat, in vehicle parked at home. Caller Times (Steven Alford), Corpus Christi. “Corpus Christi woman free on bail after arrest following child’s death in hot SUV.” 8-23-2012.
[165] OSHA, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version of Map). 8-4-2014 update.
[166] Between June 30 and July 13.
[167] The Virginian-Pilot (Patrick Wilson), Portsmouth. “Portsmouth police: Dad apparently forgot baby in car.” 7-17-2012. See, also, Null.
[168] OSHA, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version of Map). 8-4-2014 update.
[169] The CDC notes one fatality between June 30 and July 13. We note two deaths of children in vehicles afterwards.
[170] OSHA, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version of Map). 8-4-2014 update.
[171] Left in vehicle all day with no running air conditioning, locked doors and closed windows in temperatures close to 90 degrees, in care of Lynn’s Little Ones Day Care Center. The News Center, Parkersburg, WV. “Update: Former Day Care Owner Gets Trial Date.” 3-16-2015.
[172] WSAZ3 News (Jarosz/Baxter). Charleston, WV. “Update: Charges Pending Against Foster Parents in Toddler’s Death.” 7-23-2012. According to article “Jasmine” was left forgotten in the 3rd seat of an SUV by foster parents.
[173] Eight confirmed and another eleven “which could be heat-related.”
[174] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Barron County, July 1, 2012.
[175] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Barron County, July 1-7, 2012.
[176] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Columbia County, July 2-6, 2012.
[177] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Columbia County, July 2-6, 2012.
[178] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Dane County, July 2-6, 2012.
[179] OSHA, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Heat Fatalities (Text Version of Map). 8-4-2014 update. Notes that victim was a “Worker performing outside painting activities” for “Painting and Wall Covering Contractors.”
[180] WISC-TV, Madison, WI. “3 deaths attributed to heat; warning extended.” 7-6-2012, updated 7-7-2012.
[181] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Milwaukee, July 3-6, 2012.
[182] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Details. Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Milwaukee, July 3-6, 2012.
[183] WISC-TV, Madison, WI. “3 deaths attributed to heat; warning extended.” 7-6-2012, updated 7-7-2012.
[184] “Jurgans died from a cardiac related condition with heat injury being a major factor in the death, according to a news release from the Rock County Coroner’s Office.” (Beloit Daily News, WI. “Heat related death noted in Rock County.” 7-6-2012.) Also: NCDC. Storm Events Database. Excessive Heat, Wisconsin, Milwaukee, July 3-6, 2012.
[185] Beloit Daily News, WI. “Heat related death noted in Rock County.” 7-6-2012.
[186] WISC-TV, Madison, WI. “3 deaths attributed to heat; warning extended.” 7-6-2012, updated 7-7-2012.
[187] Cites IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change). 2014.