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Extreme Weather Events
The City of Orillia has taken steps to prepare for emergencies in compliance with the provincial legislation governed by Emergency Management Ontario. A copy is available to review online, City of Orillia's Emergency Response Plan or view a copy at the Orillia Fire Department 500 Gill Street, Orillia City Centre 50 Andrew Street South and at the Orillia Library. A copy of Orillia's extreme weather policy is also available for review.
The best protection in any emergency is to be prepared for the unexpected and know what to do. The following tips and links will help you to identify the risks and plan to be prepared.
Extreme Cold
Orillia winters often bring extreme cold, heavy snow, ice, sleet and freezing rain. These elements can pose serious hazards. The City of Orillia works in partnership with Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit to identify the risk levels and keep our citizens and visitors informed.
In addition to shelters provided by community partners Orillia's public buildings are available during regular business hours for those needing a place to warm up. In extreme weather conditions, the City may extend the hours of multiple public buildings. This information will be shared through our media channels.
Extreme cold is measured differently in different parts of the country. Whenever temperatures drop dramatically below normal, staying warm and safe can become challenging. In general, your risk of health effects like windburn and frostbite increase at wind chill values below -27.
The wind can make cold temperatures feel even colder. The wind chill index measures what the temperature feels like on exposed skin based on the speed of the wind. A wind chill can cause your body to lose heat faster and your skin to freeze very quickly. Wind chills below -70 have been recorded in some northern Canadian communities.
Learn more about the risks and dangers of extreme cold weather.
Extreme Heat
Like many places in Canada Orillia has its share of extreme heat events, often called "heat waves." Extreme heat events involve high temperatures and sometimes high humidity and can put your health at risk, causing illnesses like heat stroke and even death. It is important to take steps to protect yourself and your family.
Heat illnesses are preventable. During extreme heat, the most important thing is to keep cool and hydrated.
Follow these five steps to protect yourself and your family in very hot weather:
- Prepare for the heat
- Pay close attention to how you - and those around you - feel
- Stay hydrated
- Stay cool
- Avoid exposure to extreme heat when outdoors
Learn more about the risks and dangers of extreme heat events and many tips and helpful advice on how to beat the heat.
Severe Weather
During severe weather, such as thunderstorms, flooding and tornados, check the radio, television and Environment Canada for more information. Environment Canada provides forecasts and warning information 24 hours a day.
Severe Storms
Thunderstorms, hail, blizzards, ice storms, high winds and heavy rain can develop quickly and threaten life and property. Severe storms occur in all regions of Canada and in all seasons.
Listen to the local radio or television stations for severe weather warnings and advice. Keep a battery-powered or wind-up radio on hand as there can be power outages during severe storms.
Take the time now to learn about the risks of severe storms and what you can do to get prepared.
Floods
Floods are the most frequent natural hazard in Canada. They can occur at any time of the year and are most often caused by heavy rainfall, rapid melting of a thick snow pack, ice jams, or more rarely, the failure of a natural or man-made dam.
- Learn about floods and and what you can do before, during and after a flood.
- A heavy rainfall can result in flooding, particularly when the ground is still frozen or already saturated from previous storms.
- Flash flooding - in which warning time is extremely limited - can be caused by hurricanes, violent storms or dams breaking.
- Many Canadian rivers experience flooding at one time or another. The potential for flood damage is high where there is development on low-lying, flood-prone lands.
Tornados
Environment Canada is responsible for warning the public when conditions exist that may produce tornadoes. It does this through radio, television, newspapers, its internet site, as well as through its weather phone lines.
- Learn about tornados and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.
- Tornadoes are rotating columns of high winds.
- Sometimes they move quickly (up to 70 km/hour) and leave a long, wide path of destruction. At other times the tornado is small, touching down here and there.
- Large or small, they can uproot trees, flip cars and demolish houses.
- Tornadoes usually hit in the afternoon and early evening, but they have been known to strike at night too.
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