Portland's Response to the Western North American Heatwave: A Brief Report

In June of 2021, a heatwave resulted in high mortality across the Pacific Northwest region. The city of Portland, Oregon, had many advantages: emergency response personnel, science-based policies, political support for climate change adaptation, and collaboration among municipal, county, state, and federal authorities. Though the city's response likely prevented many deaths, heat-related mortality was high.

This study presents a retrospective case analysis of the 2021 Western North American Heatwave in Portland, Oregon. Specifically, the study examines the limitations of current heatwave response paradigms by means of a narrative review of the heatwave response and impacts.

Most deaths occurred at home, and most of those who died lived alone. Most of the deceased did not have access to functioning air conditioning.

Heatwaves exhibit high predictability in the demographics of those most affected and have rising rates of recurrence. Given the effectiveness of residential cooling systems in preventing heat-related mortality, findings suggest that future public health and policy initiatives should put increased focus on the primary prevention of heat exposure.