PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Oregon has recorded at least eight deaths linked to the latest heat wave that ramped up to triple-digit temperatures over the weekend, officials say.
Most of the deaths have occurred in Multnomah County, where a sixth death was announced within its borders on Wednesday. Deaths have also been recorded in Coos County and Washington County.
The first death in Multnomah County took place on Friday, July 5 when an 87-year-old man was found in the 97230 ZIP code. Two days later, another two men — 64 and 75 years old — were discovered in the 97206 and 97216 ZIP codes, respectively.
On July 8, a 67-year-old woman from Multnomah County was also listed as a possible heat-related death in the 97212 ZIP code. A fifth was recorded on July 9 following the death of a 72-year-old man in the 97203 ZIP code.
Another man, a 33-year-old Clackamas County resident, was “transported from outside Multnomah County where he died from suspected heat-related illness at a Portland hospital" on July 6, according to county officials.
Washington County has also announced the death of an 83-year-old man in the 97005 ZIP code on July 9. Meanwhile, the exact time and location of the 33 year old who died in Coos County is unclear.
The identities of all victims have yet to be released. State medical examiners will provide more information as it becomes available – likely in several weeks or months.
“Further tests and investigation will determine whether the deaths are officially hot-weather-related. In some cases, the deaths may be found to have had other causes,” officials said.
The state medical examiner has not yet revealed whether there were any commonalities between these deaths, meaning it is unclear if they were unhoused or living alone without air conditioning.
Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.
