Health unit issues first heat warning
Humidex values to reach mid-40s
Peterborough Public Health has issued its first heat warning of the season, with high temperatures of between 31 and 34 C forecast from Friday to Wednesday in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
With the humidity, the temperatures could be feel more like the mid 40s, according to Environment Canada, which first issued a special weather statement about the heat on Tuesday, covering all of southern Ontario.
Thursday’s high temperature was 27.6 C in Peterborough and the humidex reached 34 C, according to Environment Canada.
Due to the extreme heat, the city’s One Roof Community Centre has extended its hours of service.
“The warning is geared to advise those who may be sensitive to the heat to take precautions,” explained Brittany Cadence, communications manager at Peterborough Public Health.
“People who are most vulnerable to extreme heat include, infants, the elderly, shut-ins, people with chronic diseases and those who don’t have consistent housing.”
The One Roof Community Centre will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from Saturday to Tuesday, offering meals and other services who people who live on the streets in need of relief.
The city’s emergency shelters will also be open for those inneed of overnight care.
The Shelter for Youth and Families, Brock Missions Men’s Shelter, Cameron House Women’s Shelter and the Warming Room Overnight Shelter will all be open during this extreme heat warning.
The Brock Mission men’s shelter is temporarily located at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church at Murray and Water streets.
The overnight temperatures will not bring any relief –falling only the low 20s.
Be aware of some heat-related illness—dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
However, these illnesses are preventable by drinking lots of water—even when you are not thirsty
The health unit tests water quality at the public beaches in the city and county. As of Thursday afternoon, all the beaches were listed as safe for swimming by the health unit.