California Launches CalHeatScore Tool and Commits $32.4 Million to Combat Extreme Heat
Photo Credit: Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
SACRAMENTO, May 21, 2025 (CALIFORNIA NEWS TODAY) — The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), in coordination with the State of California, has launched CalHeatScore, a new tool designed to rank extreme heat risks and connect residents to safety resources. Alongside the launch, Governor Gavin Newsom announced $32.4 million in funding to support 47 communities across the state through the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program.
CalHeatScore uses ZIP-code-level data to provide localized guidance on heat severity, safety tips, and access to cooling centers. The tool identifies populations vulnerable to heat-related illness, such as children and older adults, and offers practical safety recommendations. According to the state, CalHeatScore will also be used across government agencies to mobilize emergency resources during extreme heat events.
The state also plans to gather public input to refine future versions of the tool.
"Every single preventable death is one too many. This groundbreaking tool will help Californians plan and respond so they can stay safe when a heat wave is about to strike. And it will shore up the state’s all-in fight against the very real dangers that climate change keeps bringing to our doorstep," said Yana Garcia, California’s Secretary for Environmental Protection.
The heat-ranking system follows the 2022 signing of Assembly Bill 2238, which required the development of such a tool based on prior recommendations from the California Department of Insurance.
"CalHeatScore is an important tool to prepare Californians for extreme heat. It helps increase our readiness for heat events and protect those at greatest risk," said Nancy Ward, Director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).
The new funding will support heat mitigation strategies such as expanding tree canopy coverage, installing water stations, and deploying solar-powered air conditioning units in homes. Projects range from infrastructure improvements in Los Angeles County to solar cooling installations for vulnerable residents in Northern California.
"California is taking aggressive action to protect residents from the impacts of extreme heat and build resilience in our most vulnerable communities. With lives on the line each summer, the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program will provide critical infrastructure investments in heat vulnerable communities," said Samuel Assefa, Director of the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI).
The state of California reports that extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in California. From 2013 to 2022, seven major heat events resulted in nearly 460 deaths and over 5,000 hospitalizations. Last year marked the hottest summer in the state in 130 years.
In addition to health risks, the state attributes $7.7 billion in economic losses to heat-related effects including power outages, lost wages, and agricultural disruptions. A press release from the Governor’s office emphasized the importance of reliable water access during extreme heat events, noting ongoing efforts to accelerate the Delta Conveyance Project, a major infrastructure upgrade intended to preserve the state’s long-term water supply.
For more information, visit calheatscore.calepa.ca.gov.
Source: Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
