Heat-related deaths continue to rise as record-breaking hot weather persists

The mother of a man who died alone in his trailer park home with no air conditioning this week in Sacramento, California, on a day the city reached a high of 106 degrees has urged others to listen to heat warnings and take them seriously.

More than 53 million people across the country were under extreme heat alerts, including much of California, Nevada, parts of Arizona and Utah.

At least 38 people are suspected to have died across six states as a result of the unrelenting heat, according to an NBC News count, a number sure to rise as authorities confirm more cases.

Kevin Gerhardt, 58, died from multi-organ failure due to heatstroke Sunday, the Sacramento County coroner's office said. He was taken to hospital and later confirmed dead.

A neighbor, Donovan Garten, told NBC affiliate KCRA of Sacramento that Gerhardt's brother raised the alarm and called for help. Garten ran into the house and found the man apparently suffering heatstroke.

"Kind of felt like I walked into an oven. Yeah, it felt like 20 degrees more than, you know, it usually should be," he said. "He wasn’t sweating at all, and that’s a sign of heatstroke."

Gerhardt's mother, Marilyn Sellers, called her son's fate "a senseless death." She confirmed that he had no air conditioning and nowhere else to go.

"Don’t not take it seriously when they tell you it’s going to be over 100 and 105. Take some precautions. If you don’t have air conditioning, get out and go someplace where there is, because this is serious," she told KCRA.

The details of more deaths arrive daily. Benji Gregory, 46, a former child actor and star of the 1980s sitcom "Alf," was found in his car after he died of suspected heatstroke. His sister, Rebecca Hertzberg-Pfaffinge, said on Facebook that "he fell asleep and died from vehicular heatstroke," alongside his service dog, Hans.

Another suspected casualty of the heat was Edgar Ordonez, 33, a probationary officer with the New York Police Department, who was due to graduate Monday. He was on exercises at the force's facility in the Bronx.

New York Mayor Eric Adams said on X that Ordonez's death was "a reminder of just how dangerous this heat can be."

In Fort Myers, Florida, fire service cadet Nathaniel Wilcox, 22, died from heat exhaustion after a training session Tuesday. Fire Chief Tracy McMillion said in a statement that the whole department was in shock and grieving over the death.

A 4-month-old infant died from extreme heat exposure Friday during a trip with her parents to Lake Havasu in Arizona, according to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.

And still, the severe heat continues.

The Pacific Northwest and toward the High Plains will bear the brunt of the persistent heat, the National Weather Service said, with widespread temperatures in the upper 90s and some places reaching 110 and even 120 in desert valleys.

Palm Springs, California, was likely to hit 121 degrees Thursday. Las Vegas reached 117 on back-to-back days this week. Several daily records are expected to be broken.

There is little relief in sight: Triple-digit temperatures are expected across California, Nevada and Arizona and into the Rockies until at least Sunday.

"This level of heat for many people will create an extreme risk of heat-related illnesses when access to adequate cooling or hydration is not available," the National Weather Service said.

NBC affiliate KSNV of Las Vegas spoke to senior citizens who have had to change their daily schedules to avoid the sweltering heat.

Rodrick Swift and his wife said it has been tough to adjust. "As far as doctors’ appointments, I do them in the morning time. If it’s not in the morning time, it’s not going to be done," he said.

The couple had just bought their groceries in bulk at Costco to avoid the need for multiple trips.

Meanwhile in Texas, 1.3 million customers remain without power, mostly in greater Houston, as heat advisories continue for the area. The heat index, a measure of how hot it feels that factors in humidity, will reach 106 in Houston on Thursday.

Denver, which averages just two days a year at or above 100 degrees, is forecast to hit three in a row starting Friday.

Wednesday was the first time Las Vegas has hit 117 or above on two consecutive days.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com