Extreme weather and natural hazards

Extreme weather is unexpected, unusual, unpredictable or unseasonal weather. Examples of weather-related natural hazards that may impact the KFL&A region, and whose frequency and duration are changing due to climate change include:

Extreme precipitation and flooding

Climate change is shifting precipitation patterns, increasing the frequency and intensity of storms, rapidly melting snow, and causing a rise in sea levels – all of which increase the risk of flooding.

Health impacts

• Injury or loss of life
• Food and water contamination
• Electrocution
• Hypothermia
• Damp environments causing bacteria or mold growth and poor air quality
• Mental health impacts from evacuation, or personal or financial loss (e.g., anxiety, grief, PTSD, depression)

Staying safe during a flood

• Stay alert to flood forecasting and warnings
• Prepare ahead of time
• Limit travel
• Learn what to do before, during, and after a flood
• If you are forced to evacuate, or are anticipating an evacuation of the area, create a self-care plan to prepare emotionally
• For more flood protection resources, visit Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation.
• For flood forecasting and warning, visit the Cataraqui Conservation Authority.

Severe storms

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of storms. Dangerous storms can involve tornadoes, hurricanes, wind and heavy ice and snow fall.

Health impacts

• Injury or loss of life
• Increase in motor-vehicle accidents
• Mental health impacts from evacuation, or personal or financial loss (e.g., anxiety, grief, PTSD, depression)

Staying safe during a severe storm

• Monitor weather information and storm alerts
• Limit travel during severe storms, unless necessary
• Prepare ahead of time
• Learn what to do before, during and after a storm
• Learn what to do before, during, and after a tornado
• Prepare for a potential power outage
• Know where your local extreme weather shelters are located
• If you are forced to evacuate, or are anticipating an evacuation of the area, create a self-care plan to prepare emotionally

Wildfires

Some communities across Canada regularly experience wildfire smoke events. This is expected to continue as Canada's changing climate provides ideal conditions for more frequent wildfires and longer wildfire seasons. Wildfire season typically runs from early April to late October.

As wildfires burn through forests and grasslands, they produce smoke, which can be a major source of air pollution for people in Canada. Wildfire smoke may be carried thousands of kilometres from the fire zone, impacting air quality in areas both close to, and far from, the wildfire.

Stay up to date on active weather warnings and air quality advisories, and learn what to do before, during, and after a wildfire.

Health impacts

Fine particles (PM2.5) represent the main health risk from wildfire smoke. These particles aren't visible to the human eye and have been linked to a wide range of health effects.

There is no known safe level of exposure for some of these pollutants. This means that smoke can impact your health even at very low levels. As smoke levels increase, your health risk increases. Air quality may be poor even if you can't see or smell smoke.

Milder and more common symptoms of smoke exposure include:

• Headaches
• Mild cough
• Runny nose
• Production of phlegm
• Eye, nose and throat irritation

These symptoms can typically be managed without medical intervention. More serious symptoms include:

• Dizziness
• Chest pains
• Severe cough
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing (including asthma attacks)
• Heart palpitations (irregular heartbeat)

If you have any of these symptoms, talk to a health-care provider or seek urgent medical attention. Less commonly, exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to heart attack, stroke and even premature death. If you think you are having a medical emergency, dial 911 and seek immediate medical assistance.

Wildfire events may also necessitate evacuations, which can cause a range of emotions such as grief, sadness, uncertainty, anxiety, anger, and feelings of helplessness. Visit the Government of Canada website for tips on how to manage your mental health during an evacuation.

Who is at risk?

Everyone is at risk of health impacts related to wildfire smoke exposure and poor air quality. However, those at greater risk include: infants and young children, older adults, people who are pregnant, people who work outdoors, people experiencing homelessness, people involved in strenuous outdoor exercise, and people living with chronic illnesses (e.g., cancer, diabetes, lung or heart conditions).

Staying safe from smoke exposure

The best way to protect your health is to reduce your exposure to wildfire smoke. Pay attention to the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), air quality alerts, or other indicators of smoke levels in your community. If necessary, limit outdoor activity and strenuous physical activities. If you have difficulty breathing, stop activity altogether.

• Reduce time outdoors when outdoor air pollution levels are high
• Check the AQHI every day to find out regional air quality readings and forecasts for Ottawa
• Avoid strenuous outdoor work, exercise and playtime
• Stay indoors in a cool, well-ventilated place and plan indoor activities for children
• If you must be outside, try to schedule your activities early in the morning when pollution levels are lowest
• If you experience symptoms such as tightness in your chest, wheezing, or shortness of breath, seek medical attention
• Avoid traffic-related air pollution
• Schedule appointments and errands to avoid morning and evening rush hours
• Avoid high-traffic roadways, even if you are in a vehicle, especially during rush hour. The further away you are from busy roads during exercise, the better. Exposure is reduced when you are at least 50 to 100 metres away.
• When walking, taking a side street instead of a busy road can reduce your exposure to air pollution by up to 60 percent
• If possible and safe, walk on the side of the road that is upwind of the traffic
• Seek quieter roadways when exercising
• Use personal protective equipment

If you need to work outdoors or if you must spend time outdoors, a well-fitted respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH certified N95 or equivalent respirator) that does not allow air to pass through small openings between the mask and face, can help reduce your exposure to the fine particles in smoke. These fine particles generally pose the greatest risk to health. However, respirators do not reduce exposure to the gases in wildfire smoke. It is important to listen to your body and reduce or stop activities if you are experiencing symptoms

Protecting yourself when indoors

Health Canada suggests:

• Keep windows and doors closed and turn on the air conditioning if possible. If you do not have air conditioning and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed, seek out local cooling or clean air space
• Use recirculation settings on your HVAC system to prevent smoke from entering your home
• Use a clean, good quality air filter (e.g., HEPA) in your ventilation system
• Use an air purifier that uses HEPA filtration to remove smoke from your home. For more information on selecting an air purifier that is appropriate for your needs, refer to the Using a portable air cleaner to improve indoor air factsheet
• If you need additional support during a wildfire event, community centres, libraries and shopping malls can also provide a break from the smoke. 
• Keep vehicle windows closed and set the ventilation system to recirculate

Additional recommendations:

• Drink plenty of water to help your body cope with the smoke. Check on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more vulnerable to smoke
• Take additional actions to reduce sources of indoor air pollution
• If you are forced to or are anticipating evacuating the area due to a wildfire, create a self-care plan to prepare emotionally

If smoke is present for more than a few days:

• Stay active when you can. Try finding a place with clean air to exercise indoors, for instance at the gym, the community centre or at home. Consult the AQHI to look for breaks in the smoke to find opportunities to go outdoors
• Take care of your mental health. It's not unusual to feel anxious, stressed, sad or isolated during a smoke event. Eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising and staying in contact with friends can help. Anyone who is having trouble coping with symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression should seek help from a health-care provider
• If you are living in an area affected by wildfire smoke, you can learn about wildfire smoke events, the effects of wildfire smoke on your health, and how to protect yourself by visiting the Government of Canada's Wildfire smoke, air quality and your health page

Drought

Along with increasing flood risks, changes in precipitation and temperature associated with climate change are also expected to result in more droughts.

Health impacts

• Increase of fine dust that diminishes air quality and affects cardiovascular and respiratory health
• Impacts to the quality, quantity and accessibility of water and food
• Mental health impacts and stress-related illnesses from food insecurity and water shortages

Use the Canadian Drought Monitor to keep track of current drought conditions and make sure to follow local water use restrictions and rules. For more information on low water conditions, visit the Cataraqui Conservation Authority.

Extreme weather shelter locations in the KFL&A area

Extreme weather shelter locations are public and private spaces within the KFL&A region where you are welcome to come in and seek shelter during extreme weather events. Please call ahead to confirm hours of operation and if there is capacity.

• City of Kingston extreme weather locations
• St. Mary’s Cathedral Drop-In Centre - Monday to Friday, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Morningstar Mission - 58 Water St. West, Napanee, 8:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

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