Editorial: Should we name heat waves? It’s worth a try to save lives

Not a lot of people know about one of California’s worst disasters in the last few decades, one that overwhelmed hospitals, sent bodies piling up in coroner’s offices and was deadlier than the 1994 Northridge earthquake or the 2018 Camp fire.

That’s what happened when a severe heat wave smothered California in July 2006, killing an estimated 650 people. But it may be tough to recall because unlike hurricanes, wildfires or earthquakes, heat waves don’t typically have names. They are already the deadliest weather-related hazard, and they’re getting worse