Photo: AFP
70 people have died in the Pacific Northwest due to the heatwave.
Oregon was the hardest hit, with 63 deaths, and most of those who died were living alone and did not have air conditioning or a fan, as cities across Oregon shattered high-temperature records.
"This was a true health crisis that has underscored how deadly an extreme heatwave can be, especially to otherwise vulnerable people," said Multnomah County Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Vines. "I know many county residents were looking out for each other and am deeply saddened by this initial death toll. As our summers continue to get warmer, I suspect we will face this kind of event again."
In Canada, the situation is even more dire, with nearly 500 heat-related deaths reported, as the mercury soared to 121 degrees in Lytton, British Columbia. That is hotter than Miami, L A, and Dallas.
Officials had to suspend streetcar service because the cables were melting and in Seattle, road crews had to perform emergency repairs as parts of the highway began to buckle under the heat.
A heat dome continues to bake the region 12 million people remain under heat watches, as the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for parts of Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, and Nevada.