Weird Weather Watch: Heat Wave Killed Nearly 500 Californians

Last July was a scorcher in California. The state has officially reported that the record temperatures killed about 150 people. But an AP analysis of death counts by county reveals that nearly 500 more people died that month than normally do in July. The study did not find evidence of a cover-up, but that's not good news. States don't yet have the tools to determine what constitutes a weather-related death, meaning that many more will have to die before climate change is recognized as an urgent public health problem.

Comments

A few years ago, the heat wave in France killed 35,000 dear ones. The French people that died are sorely missed.

Posted by: Charles on 07/11/07 at 6:06 PM Respond

500 people out of 40million Californians. What a shame. 2 million were killed in the southern Sudan by the Muslims and the silence is like thunder. Its all about me.

Posted by: Moonshine on 07/11/07 at 6:37 PM Respond

Seems hard to believe- I'm here in San Diego and the weather is perfect everyday just about. Mr. Scott thinks it's global warming that caused this heat wave. I disagree. There is a season called summer time. It gets warmer and even hotter some places. What a concept, huh? I'm not denying global warming but it seems a little retarded to cry global warming anytime it's hot. Also, "global warming" causes sporatic weather patterns that include heavy rains, cold weather too. Don't cry global warming just because it's a hot summer. Blog about something interesting please.

Posted by: San Diegan on 07/12/07 at 8:53 AM Respond

Moonshine - are you crying because of the tragedy in the Sudan or because the blogger had the temerity to comment on some other tragic issue? Now go wipe your tears and get a life!

Posted by: Sunshine on 07/12/07 at 11:45 AM Respond

YOU ARE ALL WRONG, those deaths are the results of terrorist causing hot areas in new places. we have reached a whole new level here, look at fox news for more.

Posted by: George Bush on 07/12/07 at 11:47 AM Respond

How many people die every day from AIDs Cameron? Get your priorities straight.

Posted by: BigDog on 07/12/07 at 12:32 PM Respond

Yeah, that's right BigDog - we should only focus on one major problem at a time. But hold on, cancer causes more deaths than AIDS, so you'll just have to get in line and wait your turn.

Good gravy, people! Is this inanity typical of the the level of intelligent discourse on MoJo?

Posted by: Flea on 07/12/07 at 2:48 PM Respond

“Discussion” is only for people who already agree. Or are forced too for some unusual reason.

There are 4 kinds of political brains. The authority worshipping (gullible) mean people (fascists – vote Republican). The authority worshipping (gullible) nice people (socialists – vote Democrat). The skeptical mean people (libertarians – vote Republican because their fear of “those people” outweighs logic). The skeptical nice people (do these people even exist? – if so, they probably vote Democratic).

How can the people in each category comprehend the other’s “reality” to have a “discussion”. Ridicule is MUCH more satisfying.

Posted by: John on 07/12/07 at 3:59 PM Respond

Cameron, you just don't understand. California has 40 million people. The Black man is oppressed in California everyday and nobody cares.

Posted by: Tyrone on 03/21/08 at 6:13 PM Respond