Las Vegas Valley heat kills more than 200 people in 2024
The worst of Las Vegas’ record summer may be over. But the heat-related death toll continues to rise, with at least 224 deaths where heat was a factor.
Generally, experts say heat deaths are undercounted across the country, and the Clark County coroner’s office can take up to 90 days to declare heat a contributing factor in the majority of deaths. The coroner’s office update on Wednesday brings the total number up from 181, which was announced on Aug. 29.
The number is nearing last year’s total death toll — 309, according to the coroner’s office, and more deaths are likely. The total number of deaths where heat was declared a factor shot up from 169 in 2022 — about an 80 percent increase when compared with last year, according to coroner’s office data.
“With the elevated temperatures we have seen over the past few months, it is imperative that people recognize the signs of heat illness,” Clark County Coroner Melanie Rouse said in a statement provided to the Las Vegas Review-Journal in late August. “Additionally, individuals should be cautious of their exposure to the heat if they fall into a high-risk group that may be more susceptible to heat related illnesses.”
Southern Nevada’s summer has been abnormally hot. Las Vegas reached an all-time record of 120 degrees in July, and climate change has been the fuel of this blistering summer, making high temperatures up to five times more possible, according to science communications firm Climate Central.
The National Weather Service said Las Vegas experienced 100 days straight of 100 degrees or more as of Tuesday — something that hasn’t happened since 1947. Analysis of temperature data has shown that the city’s nights are getting hotter, as well, which inhibits the body’s ability to cool itself off at the end of the day.
In Clark County, cooling centers where residents can go to escape the heat are activated when the National Weather Service declares a heat warning. The Desert Research Institute’s Southern Nevada Heat Resilience Lab will meet with government agencies, nonprofits and other groups after periods of extreme heat in the area to brainstorm solutions.
Older people still most at risk
The coroner’s office will only release information about the people who have died once families have been notified. It identified 184 of the 224 dead.
The median age of 61 hasn’t changed since the coroner’s last update, signaling that older people are more at risk of dying from the heat, though the youngest victim was 23.
For the four deaths of people under 30, drugs and alcohol are listed as the primary cause. The use of substances, namely methamphetamine and fentanyl, can be a deadly mix with hotter temperatures.
Contact Alan Halaly at ahalaly@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlanHalaly on X.