Red heat wave vigilance: 2 new departments in the red, the heat wave plan

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Red heat wave vigilance 2 new departments in the red

RED VIGILANCE HEAT MAP. Please note that the heatwave vigilance map is colored red and orange. In total, 14 departments are on red alert, 56 in orange and 19 + Andorra in yellow. Only a small part of the Southeast is in the green. Find the map and the measures of the heat wave plan.

[UpdatedJune172022at5:01pm[Misàjourle17juin2022 à17h01 Be careful, almost all of France is on red, orange or yellow heatwave vigilance. Very few departments are unfortunately spared. Météo France has just published its new map, here is the report: 14 departments are on red alert, 56 in orange and 19 + Andorra in yellow. Only seven departments are in green.

A heat wave is defined by maximum temperature thresholds (day and night) 5 degrees higher than normal for the season, for at least 3 consecutive days and 3 nights. It will therefore be very hot this weekend. The mercury is climbing day by day, and the hottest days are expected today and tomorrow Saturday. It is for this reason that Météo France placed 14 departments on heatwave red vigilance this Friday and 56 on orange vigilance. The heat will be overwhelming during the day and will remain high at night. The prefects of these departments will then be able to trigger level 4 of the heat wave plan in order to avoid a health crisis due to very high temperatures, to protect the most vulnerable people. A toll-free number has also been set up to inform you but also to help the most vulnerable people Discover the list of departments and the Météo France map, but also what this entails.

Here is the list of departments placed in heat wave red vigilance on Friday June 17, 2022:

  • Charente;
  • Charente Maritime ;
  • Two Sevres ;
  • Gers;
  • Gironde;
  • Upper Garonne;
  • Hautes-Pyrenees
  • Landes;
  • Lot-et-Garonne;
  • Pyrenees-Atlantiques
  • Tarn;
  • Tarn-et-Garonne;
  • Vendee;
  • Vienna.

Friday June 17, Météo France still places 56 departments on orange heat wave alert and 19 departments + Andorra on yellow vigilance by publishing its weather vigilance map. Here is the new card valid until Saturday, June 18th at 4 p.m.

What is the heat wave plan?

Following the deadly heat wave of 2003, the government decided to set up a National Heat Wave Plan (PNC). This heat wave plan is then activated each year from June 1 to September 15 in order to monitor seasonal weather conditions and to be able to act and warn in the event of a heat wave. This plan defines a total of 4 levels of alert, with for each of the measures to be put in place in order to limit the health effects and protect the most fragile people such as the elderly, infants, children, infants, pregnant women, etc. The heat wave plan also makes it possible to identify vulnerable and isolated people.

What are the different alert levels of the heat wave plan in France?

The national heat wave plan defines 4 levels:

  • Level 1: seasonal watch (green vigilance card): this level is necessarily triggered from June 1 to September 30, but can exceptionally be set up earlier in the event of strong early heat or be extended in the event of heat spike late.
  • Level 2: heat warning (yellow vigilance card) . This level is reached in two situations. In the event of a heat peak, when the heat is very intense over a short period (1 or 2 days) or during a longer episode of high heat, but below the alert threshold (level 3 orange). It is a period of heightened vigilance. If your department is placed in yellow vigilance, be attentive and careful. These situations can present risks for your health and that of those around you, especially for the most fragile people (infants, elderly people, pregnant women, etc.), but also for certain people because of their working conditions.
  • Level 3: heatwave alert (orange vigilance card) : we can now speak of a heat wave. As a reminder, a heat wave is defined by temperatures during the day, but also at night reaching or exceeding the departmental thresholds for at least 3 consecutive days. Who can trigger level 3? Météo France has drawn up a meteorological vigilance map (orange vigilance). Therefore, the prefects of departments can trigger level 3 of the heat wave plan in order to avoid a health crisis due to very high temperatures, to protect the most vulnerable people.
  • Level 4: maximum mobilization (red vigilance card): this corresponds to an extreme level of heat wave due to its intensity, duration or geographical extension. The health risk is then very important. Additional measures are in place to protect those most at risk and avoid collateral damage.

What actions are implemented during the heat wave plan?

Each level of the heat wave plan corresponds to a very specific system piloted by Public Health France, with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, in order to raise awareness and inform French people of the risks associated with each level of vigilance, of the precautions to be taken in the event of heat waves, to protect the most vulnerable (infants, pregnant women, elderly people, etc.) or those most exposed to heat due to their work, and thus avoid a health crisis. Here are the actions taken:

  • Level 1 : meteorological and health monitoring is in place, and the “heatwave info service” telephone call platform is open during periods of high heat, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can call 0 800 06 66 66 free of charge to find out about the situation and find out about the health recommendations to follow during an episode of high heat.
  • Level 2 : monitoring is reinforced and the various departments concerned are preparing in the event of a transition to level 3.
  • Level 3 : it allows in particular to put in place measures for the most vulnerable people, ie the elderly, people suffering from an illness and pregnant women. When level 3 is reached, the prefect can take the necessary measures provided for in the Departmental Heatwave Management Plan (PGCD): set up appropriate communication to prevent risks and actions to adopt (hydration, cooling down …), activate the heat wave register in the town halls to identify all people vulnerable to the heat wave and wishing to be monitored and contacted by the town hall services. A telephone call center (3975) has been set up and thus makes it possible to contact people in a fragile situation who have registered beforehand or whose condition has been reported. For these people, specific refreshed rooms are also available between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. For everyone, refreshed rooms are freely accessible in some town halls at the same time slots. Measures are also taken in establishments welcoming the elderly or disabled, but also for homeless people…
  • Level 4: this extreme heat wave situation requires the implementation of exceptional measures. The Minister of the Interior is then responsible for managing the heat wave, and the mobilization of the government is maximum with the activation of the Interministerial Crisis Unit (CIC) the activation of the Interministerial Crisis Unit (CIC)which brings together all the ministries concerned.

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