(Washington, DC) — Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen is introducing legislation to declare extreme heat a major disaster. If passed and signed into law, the Extreme Heat Emergency Act would add extreme temperatures to a list of disasters eligible to receive federal aid. Currently, the president has the authority to declare disasters for fires, floods, hurricanes and other natural catastrophes. Twenty-nine Clark County residents have died from heat-related illnesses this summer. Last year, the county saw more than 500 heat-related deaths.
