Record-breaking heatwave blamed for spike in deaths in Pacific north-west

Oregon reports 62 deaths, while Seattle along records 13

The dust is settling and it still feels pretty intense'

The scorching heatwave that has shattered temperature records in the Pacific north-west is being blamed for hundreds of deaths and thousands of emergency calls and hospital visits in the region, which includes Oregon, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia.

As cooler temperatures began to bring some relief to the region, which has sweltered under record-setting temperatures of up to 118F (47C) over the last five days, health officials were just beginning to take stock of the horrendous health effects of the heat on the region's population.