California heatwave kills 25
Pastor Dale Morgan
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*California heatwave kills 25
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From correspondents in Los Angeles
September 06, 2007 09:15am
Article from: Reuters
AT least 25 deaths have been blamed on an eight-day heatwave in southern
California that have finally started to cool.
Temperatures in inland and mountainous areas of Los Angeles have fallen,
with most places down below 38C for the first time in a week.
Power was being restored gradually to some 55,000 people some of whom
sweltered without air conditioning, lights or working refrigerators for
two days or more because of record demand placed on the grid, power
officials said.
Fifteen of the suspected heat-related deaths reported by coroners were
in Los Angeles County. Autopsies will determine the exact cause of death.
They included a couple in their 80s who were trying to keep costs down
by switching off the air conditioning in their apartment. Firefighters
who found the bodies said the temperature inside was at least 43C.
Some others, including at least one homeless man, were found dead in
their cars over the long, hot holiday weekend. A 26-year-old man was
found dead in a Los Angeles canyon after becoming separated from friends
while riding his dirt bike, the coroner's office said.
Seven deaths were reported in Imperial County, two in San Bernardino
County and one in Riverside County.
Temperatures are expected to drop further back to seasonal norms over
the next two days.