Dozens of people have died in Canada amid an unprecedented heatwave that has smashed temperature records.
Police in the Vancouver area have responded to more than 230 sudden deaths within 4 days (Friday-Monday), about 100 more than the average for a four-day period. As of 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, officers had responded to 20 sudden death calls that day alone. Most were elderly or had underlying health conditions, with heat often a contributing factor.
Canada broke its temperature record for a third straight day on Tuesday – 49.6°C (121.3°F) in Lytton, British Columbia.
Unbelievable heat out of Lytton, British Columbia recording a high of 121° F today.
The all-time record high temperature in Phoenix is 122° F. #azwx https://t.co/sxlAYobBlj
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) June 30, 2021
The US north-west has also seen record highs – and a number of fatalities.
The heat over western parts of Canada and the US has been caused by a dome of static high-pressure hot air stretching from California to the Arctic territories. Temperatures have been easing in coastal areas but there is not much respite for inland regions.
Before Sunday, temperatures in Canada had never passed 45°C.
British Columbia Premier John Horgan said the hottest week the province had ever experienced had led to “disastrous consequences for families and for communities.”
Death numbers likely to rise
The number of heat-related fatalities is likely to rise as some areas say they have responded to sudden death incidents but have yet to collate the numbers.
In Vancouver alone, heat is believed to have been a contributing factor in the unexpected deaths of 65 people since Friday.
“I’ve been a police officer for 15 years and I’ve never experienced the volume of sudden deaths that have come in in such a short period of time,” police sergeant Steve Addison said. Three or four a day is the normal number.
He said people were arriving at relatives’ homes and “finding them deceased.”
Dozens of officers have been redeployed in the city, while the increased volume of emergency calls has created a backlog and depleted police resources.
British Columbia Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said 100 more deaths than normal had been reported in the period from Friday to Monday.
The tiny village of Lytton, about 155 miles (250 km) east of Vancouver – and not much further south than London – has recorded all of Canada’s recent record highs.
Resident Meghan Fandrich said it had been “almost impossible” to go outside.
“It’s been intolerable,” she told the Globe & Mail newspaper. “We’re trying to stay indoors as much as possible. We’re used to the heat, and it’s a dry heat, but 30 [degrees] is a lot different from 47.”
Many homes in British Columbia do not have air conditioning as temperatures are usually far milder during the summer months.
One Vancouver resident said that hotels seemed to be sold out, as people flocked there for air-conditioning, adding: “I’ve never seen anything like this. I hope it never becomes like this ever again.”
The country’s weather service, Environment Canada, has issued heat warnings for the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, along with areas of Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Manitoba.
Jodi Hughes, weather anchor at Global News Calgary, told the BBC that firefighters were extremely concerned at the possibility of wild fires, possibly sparked by thunderstorms that could occur as the weather pattern changes. [NPR, BBC]
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You should really subscribe to QFiles. You will get very interesting information about strange events around the world.
is it the heat or the Vax-a-nay-shun that’s killing them?
Phoenix had 122° before too, 4 years ago. Rarely reported as buttclown media hates AZ.
Heat waves happen. People don’t know how to behave, and overexert themselves. Heat stroke is very real. If you are outside and feel dizzy or dry heave, then you better get inisde, and hydrate slowly. I’ve been close twice, and now I don’t work outside in extreme heat.
Early morning and late afternoons. Work smart.
Older people should use an umbrella for shade if they need to be outside. If it is too windy, then use a large hat with chin strap. If you have to work or do chores outside, be sure to take frequent breaks, and hydrate slowly. Do not drink alcohol or too much caffeine in extreme heat. This will dehydrate you very quickly. That includes beer.