Ready & Resilient. A Guide to Extreme Weather. August 2015

Transcription

1 Ready & Resilient August 2015 A Guide to Extreme Weather The purpose of the guide is to inform residents of the climate changes that may affect the community. This guide outlines the current weather changes already observed in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota and the Midwest. It also provides tips so that you can be ready and resilient. Lastly, it asks that you fill out the survey and return it so that more can be done to properly prepare for extreme weather events due to climate change.

2 According to the Minnesota State Climatology Office, Minnesota s average temperature is increasing as is the number of days with high dew point temperatures. Minnesota is starting to experience increases in localized, heavy precipitation events. Winter temperatures have been rising about twice as fast as annual average temperatures. Hotter Summers Daily high temperatures and nightly low temperatures have already risen in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the average annual temperature in Minnesota has already increased by 1.8 degrees F from Humidity levels have also risen in Minnesota; on July 19, 2011, in Moorhead, Minnesota, the heat index (which accounts for humidity) reached 134 F. Extreme heat can also lead to drought, directly affecting access to affordable food and clean water. Droughts lead to a loss of crops, which increases food prices for your family and hurts the livelihoods of farmers. Extreme heat can cause roads to buckle. The use of electricity will increase for many families as appliances such as air conditioners and fans will need to be run more frequently. This will put additional stress on the power grid. NOAA, 2012: Extreme Weather National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Heat waves can lead to heat stroke & dehydration and are the most common cause of weather-related deaths. Excessive heat is more likely to affect populations in northern latitudes where people are less prepared to cope with excessive temperatures. Urban areas are typically warmer than their rural surroundings. Your body s cooling mechanisms are less effective when the air temperature is higher than your body temperature and humidity is high. Intense heat can cause: Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke: Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, irritability, fatigue and loss of coordination. Symptoms of heat stroke - a medical emergency - include disorientation or delusions, unconsciousness and seizures. Heatstroke can injure the liver and can lead to kidney failure and death. Heat Cramps: Painful muscle spasms in the arms, shoulders and legs caused by extreme heat. Respiratory & Cardiovascular Disease: Pre-existing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including asthma, pneumonia and influenza are aggravated by heat. Heat Rashes: Symptoms include flushed, pale or clammy skin caused by blocked sweat ducts. 2

3 Warmer Winters Winter temperatures are expected to increase at a greater rate than summer temperatures. St. Louis Park residents can expect some winter snowfall to be replaced with freezing rain. Freezing rain leads to icier roads, downed trees and power lines, public transit delays and power outages. Warmer winter temperatures will increase the presence of pests like ticks, mosquitoes and the emerald ash borer. Infrastructure damage: As temperatures fluctuate above and below freezing points more often, roads will be under high stress, increasing the potential for cracks and potholes. Top 10 Warmest Years Minnesota, Year Annual Average Temperature ( F) Top Ten Warmest Years for Minnesota based on annual average temperature for years Data Source: NOAA/NCDC, Minnesota Average Annual Temperature Average Annual All-Season Temperature for Minnesota. Blue (Left) and Red (Right) lines highlight trends for and , respectively. Data Source: NOAA/NCDC,

4 Increased Occurrence of Severe Storms Heavy downpours in Minnesota are now twice as frequent as they were a hundred years ago. Intense or prolonged storms can be disruptive and even dangerous, causing falling tree branches to flooding. Scientists expect precipitation events like these to become an increasingly common part of our lives. Pollution and Public Health: Intense storms can increase pollution and create health hazards. Runoff from driveways and lawns, construction sites and agricultural fields carry pollutants to water sources. Food: Unlike historically light rains, large amounts of rainfall can t be absorbed. Runoff takes precious soil with it and makes it harder for crops and garden plants to endure the downpour. Power Outages: Without power, refrigerators don t work and food spoils. Without air conditioning, temperatures and tempers escalate. Water becomes less accessible or can become contaminated. St. Louis Park city buildings are equipped with backup generators and can serve as a critical source for those in immediate need of power. Tree Damage: Falling trees and branches can cause damage to streets, cars, homes and power lines, posing risks to our physical and financial well-being. Flash Flooding: Heavy rainfall on non-permeable surfaces can result in flash-flooding, causing water damage and dangerous conditions for drivers and pedestrians. NOAA, NOAA, 2012: 2012: Extreme Extreme Weather Weather National National Oceanic Oceanic and and Atmospheric Atmospheric Administration. Administration. More About Storms in Minnesota Data from Minnesota weather stations indicate there has been a 71 percent increase in storms discharging three inches or more rainfall when comparing decades to Source: Rocky Mountain Climate Organization and Natural Resources Defense Council (2012), analysis of National Climate Data Center data. 4

5 sand bags used in June 2014 flooding 13,500 fyi: Generators are installed in all city buildings. Stay Informed with ParkAlert Sign Up Today! ParkAlert is the City of St. Louis Park s citizen notification service that allows the city to alert people to an emergency or other city service-related events in your area. Non-emergency alerts: Non-weather related parking bans Significant road detours/work Significant city service interruptions Other meetings/events ParkAlert slpmn.us/parkalert Emergency alerts that could be sent include: Predicted or sudden unforeseen crises affecting public safety Weather-related parking bans 5

6 Source: How Can I Help? Report an issue and watch it get fixed. Download the mystlouispark app for iphone or Android visit mystlouispark.org Preparing for Climate Change - What Can I Do? Plant shade trees. Invest in trees to provide wind protection and shade and to lower the air temperature near your home and manage storm water. Trim your trees. If you have a large number of trees in your neighborhood, investing in tree trimming will save you money down the road and reduce risk. Harvest water. To reduce the risk of flash-flooding on your street, harvest the storm water as it falls. Create permeable surfaces on your property and direct water there where it can soak into the ground. Prepare for power outages by ensuring you have an alternative source of power or have somewhere to go. Make sure you have someone to check in with in the event of extreme weather. Also, be sure to check in on neighbors who are elderly or have small children, and who may need help in a storm or other emergency. A rain garden is a water management system. Use native plants, absorbent soil, woodchips and rocks to slow runoff rain and to allow it to seep into the ground and slow water gushing into the streets. Cleaning storm drains prevents destructive flash flooding in heavy downpours and clearing fire hydrants can assist in emergency situations. St. Louis Park offers volunteer opportunities for residents to adopt a fire hydrant. 6 This guide was made possible through the Environmental Assistance Time Sensitive Grant Program administered under Minn. Statute 115A.0716 and Minn. Rules through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

7 I PLEDGE to Create a preparedness plan and kit. See other side of this pledge sheet. Help at least one neighbor with a preparedness kit. Commit to checking on a vulnerable neighbor. Review the resilient survey (below) and take action on items that help me become prepared.! Complete and send back the resilient survey (below). Place this top portion in a place to remind me of my commitment to become more resilient. Please take the time to complete this survey and return it to us. It will help us better prepare to help you in a time of need. You may also find the survey online at slpmn.us/climateslp. Questions Yes No Do you have overhead power lines or large trees in your neighborhood? Are the storm drains and fire hydrants in your neighborhood properly cleaned and maintained? Do you have insurance coverage for your home and personal belongings in case of a fire, flood or storm damage? Do you have a working sump pump? Do you have a means to communicate with family and/or neighbors if the power is out? Is there a grocery store or farmer s market within walking distance of your home? Do you live within one mile of a medical or government facility? Do you have a radio, television or other method of learning about road closures or weather warnings? Do you have a landline phone? In the past year, have you received a health checkup? Do you suffer from allergies? Do you have a fan, air-conditioner or an alternative cooling system (dehumidifier)? I don t know 7

8 Your Emergency Preparedness Kit Below are some BASIC items to have in your emergency kit. Go to for more ideas. Water - one gallon per person, per day Food - non-perishable Flashlight (battery-powered or hand-crank) Radio (battery-powered, hand-crank, or NOAA Weather Radio) First Aid Kit Medications (7 day supply) Medical items Multi-purpose tools Sanitation and personal hygiene items Cell phone with chargers Family contact information Maps