California's extreme heat is a 'silent disaster'

Every year, California records hundreds of heat-related deaths, with vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and outdoor workers, most at risk. The death toll can range from 100 to 200 in normal years, but increases dramatically during severe heat waves, such as the one hitting the Golden State this week.

In 2006, a particularly devastating heat wave killed at least 140 people in California, according to government data. Experts warn that the true number of heat-related deaths may be an underestimate because underlying health conditions made worse by the heat are not always recorded.

Nationally, heat-related illnesses killed between 1,300 and 1,700 people in 2023.

Southern California Weather Forecast

According to a recent report from the California Department of Insurance, seven extreme heat events between 2013 and 2022 resulted in nearly 460 deaths, 5,000 hospitalizations and 344 adverse birth outcomes, affecting nearly the entire population of California.

These events have had a disproportionate impact on Black, Hispanic and Native American communities, with older people facing higher mortality rates.

“Extreme heat is a silent, growing disaster that threatens our health, our economy and our way of life in California,” said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.

The financial impact of extreme heat is also extreme.

The cumulative cost of these heat events is estimated at $7.7 billion in California, which includes labor productivity losses ranging from $7.7 million to $210 million per heat event, often in the form of uninsured wage losses.

Power outages during heatwaves have further strained the state’s infrastructure, with the 2022 coastal heatwave alone causing $230 million in economic losses.

Infrastructure repairs and delays also contributed to the costs, with heat damage to roads and railroads adding $3.8 million to $35 million per event, according to the California Insurance Commissioner’s report.

“The data presented in this report is a wake-up call: we must take immediate action to protect lives,” said Kathy Baughman McLeod, CEO of Climate Resilience for All and a member of the California Climate Insurance Working Group. “The far-reaching impacts of extreme heat require coordinated action across sectors to accelerate equitable adaptation. We must integrate climate-smart measures into our planning and invest in strategies that build the resilience of our communities to withstand future heat events.”

Local and state officials are trying to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths with several measures, including opening public cooling centers, but ultimately, people need to protect themselves. They stress the importance of staying hydrated and seeking shelter when temperatures soar.

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