The heat in the East Bay was really oppressive for the past two weeks. Thankfully now it's returned to our normal pattern of cool nights and warm days.
Normally during a heat wave I'm able to cool the house down overnight, and shutter it during the day to keep the cool air in and the hot air out. But mid-way through this latest heat wave, that technique stopped working so well, and some nights it got up to 85 inside before I could open the windows at night and cool it down. It was really miserable, and difficult to get much done.
No A/C in my home, usually never need it. But after this I might go out and get one of those portable roll-around units - not a window unit - for the couple of weeks a year when it might be needed.
Re: why people die in heatwaves. I think most of the deaths are of the elderly, who are in poor health already, or not able to take the proper measures (plenty of fluids, light clothing, etc), and so they succomb. Additionally, failure of A/C systems, or power outtages, took their tool. Finally, many people don't think they live in an arid hot climate here, so they are not used to taking precautions. The buildings may not be constructed to deflect or shed heat efficiently, as well.
