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<br /> What Problems Are Caused by Extreme Heat? Damage to Infrastructure and Resources
<br /> Extreme heat can have significant impacts that affect various sectors Energy Demand and Costs:
<br /> and aspects of our community.Some key impacts include: High temperatures often lead to higher energy demands for cooling,
<br /> which can strain electrical grids and may lead to power outages,
<br /> Health and Safety leaving large areas without air conditioning.Increased use of air
<br /> • Increased Risk to Health and Safety: conditioning can result in higher energy costs for both households
<br /> Extreme heat poses significant health risks,particularly for and businesses.
<br /> vulnerable populations such as older adults,children,individuals Infrastructure Stress:
<br /> with preexisting medical conditions,and those without access Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause damage to critical
<br /> to cooling.Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause infrastructure such as roads,bridges and railways.Heat-induced
<br /> dehydration,heat-related illnesses,and exacerbate chronic expansion and contraction of materials can lead to cracks,buckling
<br /> conditions.This can lead to increased hospitalizations and,in severe and other structural issues,requiring costly repairs.
<br /> cases,fatalities.
<br /> • Interactions with Other Extreme Weather Events: Creating This Plan
<br /> As seen following Tropical Storm Chantal,the extreme heat season's
<br /> heavy overlap with the Atlantic hurricane season can worsen and To create this plan,representatives from Orange County,Carrboro,Chapel
<br /> complicate response to concurrent extreme weather events and Hill,and Hillsborough developed amulti-jurisdictional planning team
<br /> hazards,including flooding.Extreme heat creates an additional henceforth referred to as the"Heat Cohort."This team participated
<br /> danger for impacted persons and first responders and inhibits in a heat action learning cohort coordinated by the North Carolina
<br /> response activities,slowing broader recovery. Department of Environmental Quality(NCDEQ)State Resiliency Office.
<br /> • Increased Stress on Emergency Response Systems: The planning team worked alongside other municipalities to learn about
<br /> Extreme heat events can lead to a surge in medical emergencies, extreme heat,apply it to their municipality,and develop a heat action
<br /> such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke,increasing demand on plan that was reflective of Orange County's needs.From this process,the
<br /> emergency medical services(EMS),fire departments,and hospitals Heat Cohort created a draft heat action plan.A Heat Relief Task Force
<br /> made up of a broad range of stakeholders throughout the County was
<br /> • Impact on Pets: convened to evaluate and finalize the plan.Finally,a public comment
<br /> Extreme heat can pose serious risks to pets,including heatstroke, period allowed all residents and stakeholders to comment on the plan.
<br /> dehydration and burnt paw pads from walking on hot surfaces.It is
<br /> essential to provide pets ample shade,water and protection(e.g.,let Next Steps
<br /> pets indoors during extreme heat)from high temperatures.
<br /> This document includes a comprehensive set of strategies to help
<br /> Disruption of Normal Activities residents,especially those in our community who are at increased risk
<br /> • Decreased Labor Productivity: for health impacts from extreme heat,withstand the stress of high
<br /> High temperatures can lead to reduced productivity among outdoor temperatures.
<br /> workers,affecting industries such as agriculture,construction The actions will help communicate heat warnings and ways to stay
<br /> and manufacturing.Heat-related illnesses can result in increased safe during extreme heat,teach people to recognize and respond to the
<br /> absenteeism and healthcare costs. signs of heat stress,help lower outdoor temperatures with trees,green
<br /> • Disruption of Transportation: infrastructure and shade,identify which neighborhoods are most in need
<br /> High temperatures can impact transportation infrastructure, of cooling centers and outreach,help promote home cooling strategies
<br /> particularly air travel.Heat can affect the performance of aircraft and and more.
<br /> may lead to flight cancellations or delays. Orange County governments plan to implement as many of these
<br /> • Impact on Agriculture: actions as possible over the next five years and beyond.However,we
<br /> Plants and animals are also impacted by extreme heat.Crops may cannot do this work alone.We need help from residents,businesses and
<br /> experience stunted growth,poor harvests or death due to high community partners.Please contact sustainability@orangecountync.gov
<br /> temperatures,especially if combined with lack of rainfall.Livestock if you would like to join the effort to protect residents from heat-related
<br /> need adequate shade,water and ventilation to stay cool during health impacts.
<br /> periods of high daytime and nighttime temperatures.
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