Toronto Public Health has declared an Extreme Heat Alert for Toronto today, Monday June 9, 2008.
Under an earlier heat alert system, the City of Toronto called an alert when the "humidex" exceeded 40°C for two or more consecutive days. The humidex was devised by Canadian meteorologists to combine temperature and humidity into one number to reflect the perceived temperature.
Heat Alerts and Extreme Heat Alerts are called when an oppressive air mass is forecast, and the likelihood of deaths may increase due to high temperatures and other factors. During an Extreme Heat Alert there may be more weather-related deaths because the heat has become more severe or is lasting longer.
When a Heat Alert is called, Toronto's Response Plan triggers the following actions:
- more than 900 individuals and community agencies work with vulnerable populations;
a 12-hour help line answers heat-related inquiries from the public and responds to requests; - emergency preparedness is enhanced, as required for any other alert or emergency response (e.g., ambulance, police);
- delivery of bottled water is coordinated for vulnerable groups.
In addition, when an Extreme Heat Alert is called:
- recreational facilities extend their hours of operation;
- community cooling centres are opened and transportation to these centres is provided, as required
Source:
http://www.toronto.ca/health/heatalerts/heat_emergency.htm
http://www.ec.gc.ca/scitech/default.asp?lang=En&n=4B40916E&xsl=articlesservices,viewfull&po=FA2397E0
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